Security Operations Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Security Operations Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in financial services, healthcare systems, defense contracting, and enterprise technology firms, with openings at every level from junior analyst-adjacent roles through senior and principal engineers. Chicago drives the majority of hiring, with additional activity in Aurora and Schaumburg, where employers like Allstate, United Airlines, and Walgreens maintain large security engineering teams. The most consistently sought specialties in Illinois are SIEM platform management, cloud security operations, and incident response. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 25+ Security Operations Engineer jobs
Shift Available: 10 PM - 8:30 AM CST, 4 days/week
The Role
Green Thumb Industries (GTI) is seeking an on-site Physical Security Operations Center (SOC) Specialist to join our Asset Protection team. This role focuses on physical security and business continuity. SOC Specialists monitor security systems, respond to incidents, and coordinate with internal teams and law enforcement to protect our people, facilities, and assets.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates strong situational awareness, and approaches challenges with a solutions-based and adaptable mindset. They will need to multi-task effectively, make sound decisions under pressure, and always communicate clearly.
Responsibilities
- Monitor CCTV, alarm systems, critical event management (CEM) platforms (Everbridge), and access control platforms to detect and respond to security incidents across GTI facilities.
- Act as the first point of contact for physical security events, including panic and hold up button activations, alarms, and emergency notifications.
- Coordinate with internal partner teams (cybersecurity, IT, facilities, etc.) to mitigate business operations disruptions and restore normal operations.
- Liaise with site leadership and law enforcement during and after incidents to ensure safety and compliance.
- Execute incident management protocols, document events accurately, and maintain detailed logs.
- Deliver real-time situational awareness and risk assessments to leadership during critical events.
- Manage service calls for security equipment and support troubleshooting through ticketing platforms.
- Perform remote audits, alarm testing, and credential updates.
- Participate in After Action Reviews (AARs) to identify improvement opportunities and recommend actionable solutions.
- Contribute to the development and enhancement of security protocols, emergency operations plans, and business continuity processes.
Qualifications
- 3+ years in physical security, dispatch, emergency operations, or SOC environment is preferred.
- Experience with CCTV monitoring, alarm response, and access control systems is preferred.
- Adaptable and solutions-oriented, with strong critical thinking and decision-making skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills under pressure.
- Proven ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively in high-pressure situations.
- Ability to work nights/weekends and adapt to changing priorities.
- Professional integrity and ability to handle confidential information.
- High School Diploma preferred; college degree preferred.
Additional Requirements
- Must pass any and all required background checks
- Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry
- Must possess valid driver's license
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
- Must be approved by state badging agency to work in cannabis industry
Shift Available: 10 PM - 8:30 AM CST, 4 days/week
The Role
Green Thumb Industries (GTI) is seeking an on-site Physical Security Operations Center (SOC) Specialist to join our Asset Protection team. This role focuses on physical security and business continuity. SOC Specialists monitor security systems, respond to incidents, and coordinate with internal teams and law enforcement to protect our people, facilities, and assets.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates strong situational awareness, and approaches challenges with a solutions-based and adaptable mindset. They will need to multi-task effectively, make sound decisions under pressure, and always communicate clearly.
Responsibilities
- Monitor CCTV, alarm systems, critical event management (CEM) platforms (Everbridge), and access control platforms to detect and respond to security incidents across GTI facilities.
- Act as the first point of contact for physical security events, including panic and hold up button activations, alarms, and emergency notifications.
- Coordinate with internal partner teams (cybersecurity, IT, facilities, etc.) to mitigate business operations disruptions and restore normal operations.
- Liaise with site leadership and law enforcement during and after incidents to ensure safety and compliance.
- Execute incident management protocols, document events accurately, and maintain detailed logs.
- Deliver real-time situational awareness and risk assessments to leadership during critical events.
- Manage service calls for security equipment and support troubleshooting through ticketing platforms.
- Perform remote audits, alarm testing, and credential updates.
- Participate in After Action Reviews (AARs) to identify improvement opportunities and recommend actionable solutions.
- Contribute to the development and enhancement of security protocols, emergency operations plans, and business continuity processes.
Qualifications
- 3+ years in physical security, dispatch, emergency operations, or SOC environment is preferred.
- Experience with CCTV monitoring, alarm response, and access control systems is preferred.
- Adaptable and solutions-oriented, with strong critical thinking and decision-making skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills under pressure.
- Proven ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively in high-pressure situations.
- Ability to work nights/weekends and adapt to changing priorities.
- Professional integrity and ability to handle confidential information.
- High School Diploma preferred; college degree preferred.
Additional Requirements
- Must pass any and all required background checks
- Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry
- Must possess valid driver's license
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
- Must be approved by state badging agency to work in cannabis industry
See All 25 Security Operations Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSecurity Operations Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Security Operations Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in security operations engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Relevant industry certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH strongly preferred
- Hands-on experience with SIEM tools including Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, or IBM QRadar
- Proficiency in incident detection, triage, and response across enterprise environments
- Familiarity with cloud security platforms such as AWS Security Hub or Microsoft Defender
- Experience with scripting languages like Python or PowerShell for security automation tasks
- Knowledge of NIST, CIS, or SOC 2 compliance frameworks relevant to Illinois-regulated industries
Security Operations Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a security operations engineer in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a state-issued license to work as a security operations engineer, so the path runs through education and industry credentials. Most Illinois employers expect a bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or information systems, combined with certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH. Candidates who build hands-on experience in a SOC analyst or IT support role first tend to move into engineering positions at Chicago-area financial institutions, healthcare networks, and defense contractors more quickly.
How much do security operations engineers make in Illinois?
Security operations engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $124,180 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $78,760 for the lowest 10% to over $172,830 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire security operations engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring security operations engineers in Illinois right now include Allied Universal, bp, and Rivian, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, regional health systems, and financial services firms creates steady, year-round demand for security engineering talent.
Which Illinois cities have the most security operations engineer jobs?
Chicago, Normal, and Evanston lead Illinois for security operations engineer openings. Chicago dominates because of its density of corporate headquarters, major financial institutions, and large health systems, while suburban hubs like Aurora and Schaumburg carry significant volume thanks to the technology campuses and regional operations centers that anchor the Chicago metro's outer ring.
Are there remote security operations engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most technical fields. About 50% of security operations engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on monitoring dashboards, managing cloud-based SIEM tools, and coordinating incident response through digital channels. Roles involving on-site lab environments or government facility access remain the exception that typically requires physical presence.
How can I get hired as a security operations engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a SOC analyst role at a Chicago-area managed security service provider or large health system, where associate-level positions are regularly open to candidates with a CompTIA Security+ and some lab or internship experience. Illinois institutions like Advocate Health and Northern Trust run structured IT security rotational or new-graduate programs. Building a home lab, contributing to capture-the-flag competitions, and earning a cloud security associate credential each strengthen a candidacy when formal experience is limited.
Where can I find and apply to security operations engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to security operations engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly to each employer without intermediaries.
See All 25 Security Operations Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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