Ready to take the next step in your IT career?

Next Step Systems, IT recruiting firm, is connecting talented technology professionals with exciting career opportunities in the Chicago area. Whether you’re an experienced systems and network engineer ready to take ownership of critical infrastructure or an IT support professional who enjoys solving problems and helping a business run smoothly, we have opportunities worth exploring.

We’re currently recruiting for two IT positions in the Chicago suburbs and city: a Tier 3 Senior Systems & Network Engineer in Mount Prospect, IL, and an IT Support Specialist in Chicago, IL.

Email resumes to us at jobs@itrecruiters.technology.

Explore Two New IT Job Openings

Each position offers the opportunity to apply your technical expertise, solve meaningful challenges, and make a direct impact on an organization’s technology environment.

IT Technician, Tier 3 Senior Systems & Network Engineer, Onsite in Mount Prospect, IL:

As an onsite IT Technician, Tier 3 Senior Systems & Network Engineer, you will serve as the highest level of technical escalation within the IT department. This role carries a dual mandate: maintaining the reliability, performance, and security of existing infrastructure, and engineering new solutions that support business growth and modernization. You will handle complex technical issues that cannot be resolved by Tier 1 or Tier 2 support while simultaneously architecting and deploying next-generation infrastructure. Networking is a core competency for this role you will own and evolve the organization’s network environment alongside Windows Server, Microsoft Azure, Intune, infrastructure monitoring platforms, and line-of-business application maintenance. Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Intune are REQUIRED for this opening. This position is 100% Onsite.

IT Technician, Tier 3 Senior Systems & Network Engineer Responsibilities:

– Act as the highest escalation point for infrastructure, system, and network issues.
– Maintain, support, and continuously improve existing server, network, and endpoint infrastructure.
– Engineer and deploy new infrastructure solutions from design through implementation, aligned with business growth and modernization goals.
– Own and evolve the organization’s network infrastructure — including firewalls, routers, switches, VLANs, and VPNs — both maintaining current environments and designing improvements.
– Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues across servers, endpoints, and network systems.
– Manage and maintain Windows Server environments and Active Directory infrastructure.
– Monitor system and network performance using platforms such as Zabbix; deploy and manage infrastructure monitoring and alerting solutions.
– Architect and lead deployment of new infrastructure solutions aligned with business growth and modernization goals.
– Own and administer Microsoft Azure and hybrid cloud environments.
– Deploy, manage, and maintain endpoint environments using Microsoft Intune.
– Support and maintain line-of-business applications, including patching, updates, and vendor coordination.
– Support virtualization environments and ensure system availability and performance.
– Assist with infrastructure projects, including migrations, deployments, and integrations.
– Provide technical guidance and escalation support to Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams.
– Maintain technical documentation, network diagrams, and system procedures.
– Ensure security best practices, patch management, and system hardening standards are followed.
– Evaluate and recommend new technologies to improve infrastructure efficiency and reliability.

IT Technician, Tier 3 Senior Systems & Network Engineer Qualifications:

– Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field preferred.
– Hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure and hybrid cloud environments is required.
– Proficiency with endpoint management tools, specifically Microsoft Intune is required.
– Strong networking experience including switches, routers, VLANs, VPNs, and firewalls is required.
– 5+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, systems administration, or network engineering.
– Strong experience with Windows Server (2016/2019/2022) environments.
– Advanced knowledge of Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and Group Policy.
– Experience troubleshooting both server and network infrastructure issues.
– Experience with virtualization (Hyper-V or VMware).
– Experience with infrastructure monitoring platforms such as Zabbix or demonstrated ability and willingness to learn.
– Experience supporting and maintaining line-of-business applications, including patching and vendor coordination.
– Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
– Ability to mentor and support Tier 1 and Tier 2 technicians.
– Certifications such as CCNA, Microsoft certifications (Azure, Intune), or equivalent preferred.

IT Support Specialist, Microsoft Office and Networking Experience Required, Hybrid in Chicago, IL:

Serve as an in-house IT Support Specialist for a growing 70+-employee, resolving user-specific and fundamental networking issues, managing relationships with external IT vendors, suggesting and implementing technology-related business-improvement projects, and troubleshooting and solving straightforward problems that do not require SOPs.

We need an IT Support Specialist with knowledge of Windows and macOS, Microsoft 365, and Active Directory/Microsoft Entra ID. You also need experience with networking concepts such as TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, Wi-Fi, VPN environments, MFA, and networked file shares.

This is an office job but may include local, domestic, or international travel when needed (see above). This is a hybrid position with at least 4 full days in the office per week, with one pre-approved remote day. Plus, weekends and evenings as needed for emergencies or after-hours issues. Travel for work and PTO is included as in-office.

IT Support Specialist Responsibilities:

– Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, and connectivity issues on desktops, laptops, printers and phones.
– Work with IT Manager to manage relationships, tickets, and projects with IT vendors.
– Respond to helpdesk tickets and document the problem, steps taken, and resolution
– Install, configure, and deploy new equipment and software.
– Repair, replace, or escalate faulty equipment and coordinate warranty claims or vendor support.
– Maintain the IT asset inventory in the firm’s asset-management or RMM system, including asset tags and serial numbers, assignments, locations, purchase and warranty dates, and status (in use, in stock, retired).
– Set up and prepare new computers and phones for existing and new employees.
– Track equipment check-in and check-out for new hires, transfers, and departures.
– Monitor stock levels of spare equipment, parts, and accessories, and notify the IT Manager when replenishment is needed.
– Assist in routine networking hardware projects, including but not limited to cabling and installation of network access points and routers.
– Work with external IT providers to ensure that infrastructure networking and computing systems remain available.
– Interact with management and staff to provide analytical and technical assistance for continuous improvement of IT solutions (including but not limited to automating data collection or entry, website design, and basic coding/scripting).
– Work with the IT team to maintain or create policies, procedures, and processes (e.g., items relating to data and network security, hardware/software usage, and selection and replacement of computing equipment).
– Work with the IT team to identify root causes of operational issues and process inefficiencies.
– Compile materials and responses regarding SOC-2 and other Cybersecurity assessments.
– Assist paralegals and attorneys with occasional discovery projects, including e-discovery projects and source code reviews.
– Commitment to maintaining firm and client confidentiality as required.
– Perform duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the abovementioned duties.
– In-office presence via a hybrid work model, requiring occasional after-hours and weekend work.

IT Support Specialist Qualifications:

– Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or IT-related field or equivalent experience.
– 1+ years of IT experience with client, server, and network service delivery.
– 2+ years of experience with networking concepts such as TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, Wi-Fi, VPN environments, MFA, and networked file shares.
– 2+ years of experience in troubleshooting in a multi-user environment.
– 2+ years of experience in a professional environment.
– 2+ years of experience in PC and MAC troubleshooting.
– Working knowledge of Windows and macOS, Microsoft 365, and Active Directory/Microsoft Entra ID.
– Experience with Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) or remote support tools like Atera, Ninja One is a plus.
– Industry-relevant certifications such as CompTIA, Network+, Cisco/CCNA, Linux are a plus.

Interested in learning more or applying?

Contact Next Step Systems to discuss these IT job opportunities in Mount Prospect and Chicago, Illinois. Email your resume to us at jobs@itrecruiters.technology.

Your next career move could be closer than you think!