Senior Data Science Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Senior Data Science Engineer jobs in Illinois are highly active, with demand concentrated in financial services, healthcare technology, manufacturing analytics, and enterprise software, and openings range from mid-level practitioners through principal-level engineers. Chicago anchors the market and is home to long-established employers such as Morningstar, Allstate, and United Airlines, while secondary hubs in Champaign-Urbana and the suburban Chicago corridor add additional opportunities tied to university research and corporate technology centers. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois right now are machine learning engineering, large-scale data platform development, and applied AI for regulated industries. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and innovative Data Science (AI/ML) Specialist to drive cutting-edge analytics and artificial intelligence initiatives. In this role, you will harness the power of machine learning, statistical modeling, and big data systems to develop scalable AI solutions that solve complex business challenges. Your expertise will enable data-driven decision-making, enhance predictive capabilities, and foster the deployment of intelligent systems across various platforms. Join us to shape the future of data analytics and AI implementation within a fast-paced, collaborative environment committed to technological excellence.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and optimize machine learning models using frameworks such as TensorFlow and other AI/ML tools to deliver impactful insights and solutions.
- Implement scalable data pipelines utilizing ETL processes, Hadoop, Spark, Talend, and SQL databases to ensure efficient data flow and storage.
- Conduct statistical analysis for research purposes, applying statistical modeling techniques with R, SAS, or similar tools to support strategic initiatives.
- Develop natural language processing (NLP) applications and explore generative AI models to enhance language understanding capabilities.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deploy AI models into production environments using cloud services like AWS and machine learning cloud platforms.
- Perform model evaluation, tuning, and validation to ensure accuracy, robustness, and scalability of AI/ML solutions.
- Engage in data mining activities using big data systems such as Hadoop and Spark implementation for extracting actionable insights from large datasets.
- Contribute to database design efforts for optimized data storage and retrieval supporting advanced analytics projects.
- Utilize statistical analysis tools like R or SAS for rigorous research analysis, ensuring high-quality outputs aligned with business objectives.
- Support model deployment processes and monitor AI/ML system performance to maintain operational excellence across platforms.
Qualifications
- Proven experience with machine learning frameworks including TensorFlow, Spark MLlib, or similar tools.
- Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, C, VBA, Bash (Unix shell), with experience in SQL for database querying and management.
- Hands-on knowledge of big data technologies including Hadoop ecosystem components and Spark implementation for large-scale data processing.
- Familiarity with cloud-based machine learning services on AWS or other cloud platforms for scalable AI solutions.
- Expertise in statistical analysis tools like R or SAS for research-driven insights and model validation.
- Experience in natural language processing (NLP), predictive modeling analysis, and generative AI techniques.
- Ability to design efficient database schemas and perform data mining on large datasets using SQL databases and linked data concepts.
- Strong understanding of AI implementation strategies including model training, evaluation, deployment, and continuous monitoring for scalability.
- Knowledge of data analytics tools such as Looker or similar BI platforms is a plus.
- Excellent problem-solving skills combined with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly across teams.
Join us if you’re passionate about leveraging advanced analytics and AI/ML technologies to transform data into strategic assets!
Pay: $27.50 - $33.12 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
Work Location: In person
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Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Data Science Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Media & Entertainment
- Banking & Financial Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior data science engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, statistics, or a related quantitative field
- Five or more years of experience building and deploying production machine learning models
- Proficiency in Python and at least one major ML framework such as TensorFlow or PyTorch
- Hands-on experience with cloud data platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and mentor junior data scientists
- Experience with distributed computing tools such as Spark or Databricks in enterprise environments
Senior Data Science Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior data science engineer in Illinois?
Senior data science engineers in Illinois typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as computer science, statistics, or applied mathematics, though many employers prefer a master's degree for senior roles. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for this role. Candidates advance by building a portfolio of deployed machine learning systems, gaining experience in industries prominent in Illinois such as financial services or healthcare technology, and demonstrating leadership on data projects.
How much do senior data science engineers make in Illinois?
Senior data science engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $106,560 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $68,810 for the lowest 10% to over $168,880 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire senior data science engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring senior data science engineers in Illinois right now include University of Illinois, Chamberlain, and Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's concentration of financial services headquarters, large insurance carriers, and healthcare technology firms means demand is consistent and not limited to a single sector.
Which Illinois cities have the most senior data science engineer jobs?
Chicago, Oak Brook, and Riverwoods have the most senior data science engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the majority of listings because it is home to the headquarters of major financial institutions, insurance companies, and enterprise technology firms, while suburban locations such as Downers Grove and Lisle add openings tied to large corporate campuses that anchor Illinois's northwestern and western corridors.
Are there remote senior data science engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields, because senior data science engineering is almost entirely desk-based and output-driven. About 80% of senior data science engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how broadly distributed this work has become. Model development, experimentation, and pipeline engineering are the functions most commonly performed fully remotely, while stakeholder-facing and team-lead responsibilities tend to draw candidates back on-site at least part of the week.
How can I get hired as a senior data science engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing an associate or junior data scientist role and building toward seniority from within. Large Illinois employers in financial services and healthcare technology, including insurance carriers and hospital systems headquartered in the Chicago metro, regularly hire new graduates into rotational analyst and data engineering programs. Moving laterally from a software engineering or business analytics role is another common route. Building a public portfolio of end-to-end ML projects and earning a recognized cloud certification gives candidates a concrete edge during early-career screening.
Where can I find and apply to senior data science engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to senior data science engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries and metro areas. Find a role that fits and apply directly to the employer through the listing.
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