Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Systems Engineer jobs in Illinois are active and competitive, with demand concentrated in aerospace and defense, information technology, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing across experience levels from entry-level associate engineer through senior systems architect. Chicago, Rockford, and the suburban Chicagoland corridor around Schaumburg and Naperville are the primary hiring hubs, where employers like Boeing, Motorola Solutions, and Caterpillar maintain significant engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois listings include embedded systems, network systems engineering, and defense systems integration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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IT/OT Systems Engineer
Here at Siemens, we take pride in enabling sustainable progress through technology. We do this by empowering customers through the combination of the real and digital worlds - improving how we live, work, and move today and for the next generation. We know a business thrives only when its people are thriving. That is why we put our people first and support them as they grow in new ways.
Transform the everyday with us!
This role is On-Site in Buffalo Grove, IL. It is a Technical Bridge Role - Factory, Manufacturing and Distribution Center IT
We are looking for an IT/OT Systems Engineer to provide dedicated, on-site technical depth for factory and distribution center operations. This position will be based fully on-site at [LOCATION]. In this peer-support role, you will bridge remote infrastructure engineering and floor-level operational needs. You will coordinate with the Senior Infrastructure Engineer and infrastructure team on standards, architecture, and managed systems while partnering with Factory IT Leads and production teams on day-to-day execution and site priorities. Factory IT Leads retain ownership of factory-floor and distribution center IT priorities, and the Senior Infrastructure Engineer retains ownership of infrastructure architecture and standards.
You'll make an impact by:
- Serve as the on-site technical bridge between factory operations, Factory IT Leads, the Senior Infrastructure Engineer, associate infrastructure engineers, central managed services, and third-party machine vendors.
- Coordinate network infrastructure provisioning and configuration performed by central managed services, including switches, racking, cabling, and core network configuration, while directly handling hands-on setup and support for endpoints such as PCs.
- Maintain accurate, current site-specific network architecture documentation and verify alignment with infrastructure team standards.
- Lead on-site execution of cybersecurity vulnerability remediation and compliance actions, coordinating patching and remediation windows with production and distribution center schedules.
- Maintain IT/OT network segmentation by validating VLAN boundaries and firewall rules as equipment, vendors, and segmentation requirements change.
- Manage compensating controls for legacy or unpatchable floor equipment, including monitoring, isolation, and documented exceptions.
- Maintain accurate site asset inventories to support audits, compliance requirements, and cyber insurance obligations.
- Administer user access reviews and support privileged access management for site systems.
- Coordinate with third-party machine vendors and managed service providers to confirm security requirements before network connection.
- Gather site-level evidence and documentation for audits and support deployment of company-wide security initiatives, including multifactor authentication and endpoint hardening, across factory systems.
- Lead endpoint access and PC login administration for factory users.
- Act as the local technical escalation point for diagnosing and resolving application performance issues affecting production and distribution center operations.
- Administer factory-specific applications and services, supporting the availability and performance of production-critical systems.
- Lead site-level data, analytics, and digital enablement initiatives, translating factory-floor data needs into practical solutions.
- Support Industrial Internet of Things, operational technology communication protocols, edge computing, and cloud-connected operational technology infrastructure that enable data-driven manufacturing and operational excellence.
- Work independently on-site while collaborating closely with technical and operational stakeholders to align execution with production priorities and infrastructure standards.
You'll win us over by having the following qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
- Technical degree or a minimum of 3 years of hands-on IT infrastructure experience.
- Working knowledge of network fundamentals, including VLANs, switching, and basic firewall concepts, sufficient to execute against architecture and standards established by the infrastructure team.
- Experience supporting vulnerability remediation, patching, and compliance activities.
- Familiarity with IT/OT segmentation concepts and experience working around production equipment and operating schedules.
- Experience troubleshooting infrastructure, endpoints, or applications as a technical escalation point in an on-site environment.
- Ability to work fully on-site and provide off-shift availability as needed to support production and distribution center schedules.
- Ability to travel regionally as required.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States on a continual and permanent basis without company sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated IT infrastructure expertise within a manufacturing, industrial, plant, distribution center, or research and development environment.
- Proven ability to administer factory-specific or production-critical applications and services.
- Knowledge of network architecture documentation and site asset inventory management.
- Expertise in privileged access management, user access reviews, cybersecurity audits, or compensating controls for legacy equipment.
- Ability to coordinate technical work with managed service providers and third-party machine vendors.
- Knowledge of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), operational technology (OT) communication protocols, edge computing, data analytics, and cloud-connected OT infrastructure.
About Siemens:
We are a global technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to sustainable transportation and advanced healthcare, we create technology with purpose that adds real value for customers. Learn more about Siemens at https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company.html.
Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion in our Diverse Global Workforce:
We value your unique identity and perspective. We are fully committed to providing equitable opportunities and building a workplace that reflects the diversity of society, while ensuring that we attract the best talent based on qualifications, skills, and experiences. We welcome you to bring your authentic self and transform the everyday with us.
#LI-JS
#LI-On-site
$92,320 $158,263
See All 81 Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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Find Systems Engineer JobsSystems Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Systems 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
- Retail
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in systems engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience with systems integration, requirements analysis, and lifecycle documentation
- Proficiency in modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB, SysML, or equivalent platforms
- Familiarity with defense or aerospace standards including MIL-STD or DO-178 where applicable
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with hardware, software, and test engineering teams
- Active or eligible security clearance preferred for defense-sector roles in Illinois
Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a systems engineer in Illinois?
A bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a closely related field is the standard entry point for Illinois employers. Illinois does not require a state-issued license specifically for systems engineers, though engineers who stamp public infrastructure designs may pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Certifications such as INCOSE's Certified Systems Engineering Professional strengthen candidacy considerably in Illinois's defense and aerospace hiring markets.
Which companies hire systems engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring systems engineers in Illinois right now include Northrop Grumman, Shure, and ARI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of defense contractors, telecommunications firms, and advanced manufacturing headquarters means openings appear across a wide range of company sizes and sectors throughout the Chicagoland region and beyond.
Which Illinois cities have the most systems engineer jobs?
Chicago, Rolling Meadows, and Peoria lead Illinois for systems engineer openings. Chicago anchors demand through its large corporate headquarters, technology companies, and federal contracting presence, while suburban centers like Schaumburg and Naperville draw heavily from Motorola Solutions, Motorola Mobility, and the dense corridor of defense and IT firms clustered along the I-90 and I-88 technology belts.
Are there remote systems engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than many technical fields. About 51% of systems engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting that much of the role centers on documentation, modeling, and cross-functional coordination that translates well to distributed work. Hands-on integration, lab testing, and classified defense programs are the segments most likely to require on-site presence in Illinois.
How can I get hired as a systems engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a rotational or associate engineer program at one of Illinois's large defense or technology employers. Boeing and Motorola Solutions run structured early-career engineering programs that place candidates without prior professional experience into project rotations. Adjacent roles such as systems technician, quality assurance engineer, or IT infrastructure analyst at Illinois manufacturers or telecommunications firms are strong lateral starting points. Completing an INCOSE student membership, building a portfolio of documented systems projects, or earning a relevant certification like CompTIA Network+ noticeably strengthens applications for junior-level openings.
Where can I find and apply to systems engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to systems engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 81 Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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