Security Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Security Software Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in financial technology, enterprise software, healthcare IT, and defense contracting, with openings at every level from entry-level associate engineer through principal and staff. Chicago anchors the market as one of the most active hiring metros in the Midwest, with Naperville and the broader collar counties adding significant volume from corporate headquarters and technology campuses. Major employers with a lasting Illinois presence include Boeing, Motorola Solutions, and Discover Financial Services, and the most sought-after specialties are application security, cloud security engineering, and DevSecOps. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Northern Trust
As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.
Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.
With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
We are seeking a Senior Associate Software Engineer to support technical development of our AI-powered Code Security Scanner platform. This platform leverages frontier AI models and advanced security automation to identify, validate, and report software vulnerabilities across enterprise codebases.
This role will be responsible for ongoing development, architectural evolution, and long-term enhancement of the platform. The successful candidate must be equally comfortable designing user-facing applications, building automation, integrating AI services, and securing cloud-native solutions.
Platform Support
Serve as a developer for the AI Code Scanner platform
Implement modernization, enhancements, and scalability initiatives
Front-End Development
Improve user experience, reporting dashboards, workflow management, and administrative capabilities
Implement secure authentication and authorization patterns
Backend & AI Engineering
Maintain and extend orchestration and scanning services
Expand and manage integrations with LLM-based security analysis capabilities
Enhance automated vulnerability analysis, reporting, and verification workflows
Experience
5+ years of professional software engineering experience
Technical Skills
Mid-level React development
Modern SPA architecture
REST APIs and authentication integrations
Expert-level Python development
API design and integration
Automation and orchestration frameworks
Test automation and quality engineering
Expert-level Python development
API design and integration
Automation and orchestration frameworks
Test automation and quality engineering
Experience integrating Large Language Models (LLMs)
Agent-based workflows and automation frameworks
Application security and vulnerability management
Salary Range:
$88,900 - 151,100 USDSalary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.
Work Authorization
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).
Working with Us
As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.
Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.
Reasonable Accommodation
Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com, or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.
See All 10 Security Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSecurity Software Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Security Software Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in security software engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a closely related engineering field
- Hands-on experience with secure software development lifecycle and threat modeling practices
- Proficiency in one or more languages such as Java, Python, or C++ with security-focused implementation
- Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CEH, or CSSLP recognized by Illinois employers
- Experience with cloud security tools and platforms including AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
- Strong knowledge of OWASP Top 10, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing methodologies
Security Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a security software engineer in Illinois?
Becoming a security software engineer in Illinois starts with a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or cybersecurity from an accredited program, many of which are offered at Illinois universities including the University of Illinois and DePaul. Illinois has no state-issued license specific to this role, so employers rely on industry certifications like CISSP or CEH alongside a portfolio of security engineering work to assess candidates.
How much do security software engineers make in Illinois?
Security software engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $132,110 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $80,980 for the lowest 10% to over $194,740 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire security software engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring security software engineers in Illinois right now include Pinterest, Northern Trust, and AbbVie, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of financial services firms, defense contractors, and enterprise technology companies in and around Chicago makes it one of the more active states for security engineering roles at mid-size and large organizations.
Which Illinois cities have the most security software engineer jobs?
Chicago, Round Lake, and North Chicago have the most security software engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because of its dense concentration of financial technology firms, healthcare systems, and enterprise software companies, while Naperville and Schaumburg draw strong hiring volumes from the corporate headquarters and technology campuses that line the I-88 corridor west of the city.
Are there remote security software engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 100% of security software engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on code review, security tooling, and cloud platform configuration rather than on-site infrastructure. Application security and DevSecOps roles tend to be the most remote-friendly specialties within this field.
How can I get hired as a security software engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a junior or associate security engineer role, often listed under titles like security analyst or software engineer with a security focus, at Illinois financial services firms or managed security service providers in the Chicago metro. Building a portfolio through open-source contributions, Capture the Flag competitions, or a home lab demonstrating hands-on vulnerability work gives candidates a clear edge. CompTIA Security+ is widely accepted by Illinois employers as an entry-level credential that substitutes for experience in competitive screening.
Where can I find and apply to security software engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to security software engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago, Naperville, and the broader state. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly.
See All 10 Security Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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