Lead Enterprise Infrastructure Engineer

Autonomai Recruitment; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Autonomai Recruitment in Chicago seeks an engineering lead to own and improve the infrastructure behind traders’ workstations. You’ll guide a small local team while collaborating with engineers globally in a hybrid enterprise environment.

The role focuses on infrastructure as code with Terraform, driving adoption, automation with Python/PowerShell, and hands-on delivery across Windows Server, VMware, storage and trading workstations. Strong leadership and architecture skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years leading or mentoring infrastructure engineers.
• Strong hands-on Terraform experience essential.
• Proven IaC to improve production environments.
• Enterprise infra experience across Windows Server and virtualization.
• Solid understanding of AD, DNS and core networking.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a Chicago-based infrastructure team.
• Drive Terraform adoption and IaC practices across the environment.
• Improve automation with Python and PowerShell.
• Own and evolve systems spanning Windows Server, VMware, storage and trading workstations.
• Collaborate with global teams on reliability, observability and long-term infra design.
• Balance hands-on delivery with team leadership and strategic decisions.

Skills

Terraform

Leadership

Python

PowerShell

Windows Server

VMware

Active Directory

Tools

NetApp

Job description

I’m working with a global trading firm looking for a hands-on engineering lead to own and improve the infrastructure behind its traders’ workstations.

This is a role for someone who can lead a team, set technical direction and still get close to the systems themselves. You’ll manage a small Chicago-based team and work with engineering colleagues globally across a hybrid enterprise environment.

The key requirement is infrastructure as code. The team needs a leader with strong, hands-on Terraform experience who can drive more consistent, automated and scalable ways of building infrastructure.

THE ROLE:

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of infrastructure engineers in Chicago.
• Drive Terraform adoption and infrastructure as code practices across the environment.
• Improve automation with Python and PowerShell.
• Own and evolve systems spanning Windows Server, VMware, enterprise storage and trading workstations.
• Work with global teams on reliability, observability and long-term infrastructure design.
• Balance hands-on technical delivery with team leadership and strategic decisions.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• At least 3 years of experience leading or mentoring infrastructure engineers.
• Strong, recent hands-on Terraform experience. This is the most important technical requirement.
• A track record of using infrastructure as code to improve production environments.
• Deep enterprise infrastructure experience, particularly across Windows Server and virtualization.
• A solid understanding of Active Directory, DNS and core networking.
• The ability to lead technical discussions, develop engineers and take ownership of complex systems.
• Experience with NetApp or similar storage platforms, observability tooling, Python or PowerShell would be valuable.

WHY CONSIDER IT?

Your work will directly affect the infrastructure traders use every day. You’ll have the scope to improve a global environment, shape how a Chicago team engineers its systems and remain hands‑on with challenging technical work.

The firm offers a competitive package, comprehensive benefits and the opportunity to work with experienced engineers across its global business.

If you’re an infrastructure leader who has genuinely built with Terraform, I’d be keen to speak with you.