Lead Software Engineer

Sidley Austin LLP (IL LLP); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago, IL seeks a Lead Software Engineer to own full-stack development across .NET, React/Next.js, and Azure. You will write and review code, set engineering standards, architect new features, mentor engineers, and ensure reliable, secure production systems.

You will drive AI/GenAI integration and collaborate with product teams to translate business needs into technical plans. The role requires 8+ years of experience, strong leadership, and a track record of delivering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• 8+ years of professional software engineering with progression to lead/staff/principal-level.
• Strong full-stack skills: .NET (C#), React, Next.js, REST/GraphQL API design.
• Architect and deliver production-grade apps emphasizing reliability, performance, and security.
• Hands-on with Microsoft Azure services (App Service, AKS/Container Apps, SQL, Service Bus, OpenAI).
• Experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases (SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Cosmos DB).
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions), Git, and Agile practices.
• Experience leading engineers, setting direction, reviews, and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of full-stack apps from architecture to production support.
• Set standards for code quality, testing, performance, and security; model with code reviews.
• Integrate AI and GenAI features, including LLMs, RAG, vector search, agentic workflows.
• Mentor engineers through pairing, reviews, and feedback.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and architects to turn requirements into plans.
• Ensure production reliability, observability, incident response, and root-cause analysis.
• Partner with DevOps to optimize CI/CD pipelines and cloud deployment patterns.
• Stay current with technologies and contribute to hiring and onboarding.

Skills

C#/.NET

React/Next.js

Azure

REST/GraphQL

Leadership

Mentoring

Security

CI/CD

Code review

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE

Equivalent professional experience

Tools

Azure DevOps

Git

Docker

Kubernetes

Azure SQL

OpenAI Service

Job description

The Lead Software Engineer will take technical ownership of the full-stack applications the team builds on React, .NET, Next.js, and Azure, including AI-powered features that help lawyers and staff work more effectively. This is a hands‑on leadership role: you will write and review code, set engineering standards, make architectural decisions, and mentor other engineers, while partnering with product managers, architects, and business stakeholders to ship reliable software.

Lead the design and delivery of full-stack applications using .NET, React/Next.js, and Azure, with ownership from architecture through production support. Set engineering standards for code quality, testing, performance, and security, and hold the team to them through active code authorship and thorough code review. Make architectural decisions for new features and systems, weighing trade‑offs and ensuring solutions are maintainable, observable, and built to scale. Lead the integration of AI and GenAI capabilities into Firm applications, including LLM‑powered features, retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) pipelines, semantic search, and agentic workflows. Mentor engineers through pairing, design reviews, and ongoing feedback. Work with product managers, designers, and architects to turn business requirements into clear technical plans and realistic delivery milestones. Own the reliability of production systems: set observability standards, lead incident response, and see issues through to root cause. Apply security best practices across the stack, including authentication, authorization, and data protection, with particular care given the sensitivity of legal data. Partner with DevOps and Infrastructure on CI/CD pipelines, container platforms (Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Container Apps), and cloud deployment patterns. Stay current on relevant technologies and bring well‑reasoned recommendations to the team. Participate in hiring, including technical interviews and onboarding new engineers.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 8 years of professional software engineering experience, with a track record of progression into a lead, staff, or principal-level role.
• Strong full-stack development skills, including .NET (C#), React, Next.js, and REST/GraphQL API design.
• Ability to architect and deliver production‑grade applications with attention to reliability, performance, and security.
• Hands‑on experience with Microsoft Azure services used in application development (e.g., Azure App Service, Azure Container Apps/AKS, Azure SQL, Azure Service Bus, Azure OpenAI Service).
• Experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases (e.g., SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Cosmos DB).
• Strong understanding of software engineering fundamentals: system design, design patterns, testing strategy, and distributed systems.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions), version control (Git), and Agile development practices.
• Experience leading engineers, including setting technical direction, running design and code reviews, and helping team members grow.
• Clear communicator, comfortable working with technical peers and non‑technical stakeholders alike.

Preferred

• Experience building or integrating AI and GenAI features in production, such as LLM APIs (e.g., Azure OpenAI, Anthropic Claude), RAG pipelines, vector search, semantic ranking, or agentic workflows.
• Familiarity with AI orchestration and workflow automation tools (e.g., LangGraph, Semantic Kernel, Claude SDK, Temporal, n8n).
• Experience with workflow automation platforms, both low‑code integration tools (e.g., n8n, Power Automate) and durable execution engines (e.g., Temporal).
• Experience with .NET Aspire for building and orchestrating cloud‑native .NET applications.
• Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, Azure Container Apps).
• Familiarity with cloud‑native and serverless architectures on Azure.
• Experience with automated testing frameworks and test‑driven development.
• Background in professional services industries (legal, financial services, accounting, or consulting).
• Relevant Azure certifications (e.g., AZ-204 Azure Developer Associate, AZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect Expert).

Other Skills and Abilities

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Compensation

The target salary range for this role is: $122,900 - $180,000 if located in Illinois. Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email [e-mail] (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Sidley is an elite global law firm with a known reputation of deploying innovative strategies to achieve powerful results. Business professionals are essential to the firm’s ability to deliver the highest quality legal services to our clients. We are always looking for talented, motivated individuals who thrive in a performance‑driven culture to join our team.

We encourage you to explore current openings and check back for future opportunities that align with your skills, experience, and career goals.

#LI-OE1 #LI-Hybrid

Sidley employs approximately 2,300 lawyers working with our clients in complex transactional, restructuring, crisis management, investigation, regulatory, and litigation matters. Our 160 years of perspective and reach are truly global, supported by 21 offices strategically situated in key commercial, regulatory, and financial centers across the world. Our lawyers and business professionals, fluent in more than 75 languages, possess the cultural awareness and cross‑border legal acumen needed to bring clarity to a dynamic business landscape.