Data Center Network Security Engineer- Cook (Information System Analyst II, Opt. N)

State-of-Illinois; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Illinois is seeking a Data Center Network Security Engineer based in Chicago to design and implement secure data center network architectures, including firewalls, load balancers, and IDS/IPS, protecting critical infrastructure.

You will collaborate with stakeholders, manage security projects, and stay current with industry practices. The role offers hybrid work and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Requires four years of college coursework in computer science or related field.
• Requires three years of professional experience in data center network security or related IT field.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Data Center Network Security Engineer for Sangamon County, performing complex hardware and software installations and designing secure network communications.
• Collaborates with users/stakeholders to define secure architecture requirements and design specifications for data center security communications.
• Configures, tests, and maintains diverse firewall models, application load balancers, IDS/IPS, and related security systems to safeguard infrastructure.
• Keeps abreast of new developments in IT through online training, meetings, and conferences to stay current on products, vendors, techniques, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as required within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Skills

Data center security

Firewall administration

OSI troubleshooting

Security architecture

IDS/IPS administration

Technical project coordination

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Security certifications

Education

Four-year college degree in CS or related field

Job description

Data Center Network Security Engineer- Cook (Information System Analyst II, Opt. N)

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Job Requisition ID:59126
Opening Date: 09/25/2026
Closing Date: 10/09/2026
Agency: Department of Innovation and Technology
Class Title:INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYST II - 21166
Skill Option:Networking
Bilingual Option:
Salary: Anticipated starting salary: $8,060 monthly; Full range: $8,060-$11,851 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:RC063 Professional Employees, Educators,Juvenile Justice School Counselors and Special Education Resources Coordinators,and Physicians AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:
Work Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm (work hours may vary)
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 1 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
Headquarter Location: 555 W Monroe St, Chicago, Illinois, 60661
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: [e-mail]

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

Why Work for Illinois? Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home. No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans

Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position)

10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)

12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year

3 paid personal business days per year

13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years

12weeks of paidparentalleave

Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System

Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan

Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)

Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility

• Under administrative direction, serves as a Data Center Network Security Engineer for Sangamon County for the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) performing complex hardware and software installations, designing specifications, developing, and modifying secure Data Center network communications, including related security components.
• Collaborates with users/stakeholders to define secure architecture requirements and design specifications to Data Center security communications, including firewalls, micro‑segmentation technologies, intrusion detection/prevention systems, network security appliances, application load balancers, internet filtering solutions, and supporting infrastructure.
• Configures, tests, and maintains diverse firewall models, application load balancers, micro‑segmentation solutions, and network security systems such as Intrusion Detection (IDS), and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) to safeguard critical infrastructure.
• Keeps abreast of new developments in the information technology field by continuing education through online training platforms, meetings, training sessions, seminars, and conferences to increase familiarity with and remain current on products, vendors, techniques, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with course work in computer science or directly related fields.
• Requires three (3) years of professional experience in Network Services or a related Information Technology field.

Specialized Skills

• Requires three (3) years of professional experience in data center network security, including designing, implementing, documenting and maintaining secure architectures for on‑premises and cloud environments in alignment with organizational and regulatory security standards, including experience with formal change control processes, configuration management and audit‑ready documentation.
• Requires three (3) years of professional experience with enterprise firewall administration, including configuration, testing, maintenance, upgrades, and hardening of diverse firewall models (e.g. Palo/Cisco) to safeguard critical infrastructure, as well as implementing vendor‑recommended firmware/software updates, coordinating vendor support, and resolving production incidents in high‑availability environments.
• Requires three (3) years of professional experience with OSI Model Layers 1 through 7, network diagnostic tool integration, packet analyzers, and complex network troubleshooting, including administration of enterprise security systems and traffic analysis using tools including Wireshark and Panorama and participation in incident response, root cause analysis and SLA‑driven break/fix operations using enterprise monitoring platforms.
• Requires three (3) years of professional experience with data center and cloud network security architecture, including micro‑segmentation technologies, application load balancers, traffic management and internet/content filtering solutions supporting muti‑tiered applications, including capacity planning, performance optimization, vulnerability assessment, and collaboration with stakeholders to define secure architecture requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of professional experience in data center network security, including designing, implementing, documenting and maintaining secure architectures for on-premises and cloud environments in alignment with organization and regulatory security standards, including experience with formal change control processes, configuration management and audit‑ready documentation.
• Three (3) years of professional experience with enterprise firewall administration, including configuration, testing, maintenance, upgrades, and hardening of diverse firewall models (e.g. Palo/Cisco) to safeguard critical infrastructure as well as implementing vendor‑recommended firmware/software updates, coordinating vendor support, and resolving production incidents in high‑availability environments.
• Three (3) years of professional experience with OSI Model Layers 1 through 7, network diagnostic tool integration, packet analyzers, and complex network troubleshooting, including administration of enterprise security systems and traffic analysis using tools such as Wireshark and Panorama and participation in incident response, root cause analysis and SLA‑driven break/fix operations using enterprise monitoring platforms.
• Three (3) years of professional experience with data center or cloud network security architecture, including micro‑segmentation technologies, application load balancers, traffic management and internet/content filtering solutions supporting multi‑tiered applications including capacity planning, performance optimization, vulnerability assessment, and collaboration with stakeholders to define secure architecture requirements.
• Three (3) years of experience with intrusion detection and protection systems (IDS/IPS), Domain Name Services (DNS) administration, including analysis of security events and implementation of mitigation strategies to ensure secure and efficient traffic flow.
• Three (3) years of professional experience in technical project coordination, including multitasking across complex security initiatives, collaborating with stakeholders and vendors, supporting change control processes and strategic planning for data center network security implementations.
• Ability to analyze data logically and exercise sound judgement in defining and evaluating problems of an operational or procedural nature.
• Ability to lead and coordinate cross‑functional teams, aligning individual contributions toward shared goals to consistently deliver high‑impact results.
• Developed verbal and written communication skills to present technical information clearly and precisely to diverse audiences, including business users, development teams, and agency executives.
• Certifications in one or more of the following: Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security, Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Security, CompTIA Security, Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Routing and Switching, Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (CCSE), or similar relevant certification(s) in Information Security.

Conditions of Employment

NOTE: Applicants must possess the ability to meet ALL of the following conditions of employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position.

• Requires the ability to verify identity.
• Requires employment authorization to accept permanent full‑time position with State of Illinois.
• Requires the ability to pass a position specific, agency required background check and requires self‑disclosure of criminal history.
• Requiresthe ability to travel in performance of duties.
• Requires the ability to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, short notice, evening, weekends, and holiday.
• Requires the ability to attend seminars, conferences, and training to remain current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to job duties.
• Requires the ability to lift and carry objects or equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.This is considered medium work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(c)). Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying objects weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Requires adherence to the revolving door restrictions outlined in 5 ILCS 430/5-45. Consequently, employees should be aware that in the event of receiving a non-State employment offer during state employment or within one year immediately following the termination of State employment, they arerequired to inform the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies(OEIG) of the Illinois Governor before accepting such non-State employment. Failure to notify the OEIG may result in the imposition of a fine.
• Requires compliance with the provisions outlined in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act,necessitating the occupant of this position to file of a Statement of Economic Interest.Pursuant tothe Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.), specific state officials and employeesare required toannuallysubmit Statements of Economic Interest to the Office of the Secretary of State, which will be accessible to the public for examination and copying. Employees subject to thisrequirementmust also file a Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission, as specified in Executive Order 15-09. Failure tosubmitthese statements in a timely mannermay result in fines and penalties.
• The conditions of employment listed are incorporated and/or related to any duties included in the position description.

The Department of Innovation & Technology (DolT) is the state's IT agency delivering an enterprise approach to statewide technology, innovation,and telecommunication services, as well as policy and standards development, lifecycle investment planning, and cybersecurity services. With over 1,500 employees,DolTdelivers IT services and innovative solutions to customer agencies to improve services provided to Illinois residents,DolToffers employees the opportunity to advance their careers, develop new skills and reach their potential, both personally and professionally.DoITis committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome and value employees withdifferent backgrounds, lifeexperiencesand talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, nationality, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation.

Revolving Door: Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.

Statement of Economic Interests: This position is subject to Statement of Economic Interests filing as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

This position DOES contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).