Senior Applications Engineer I

Kirkland & Ellis; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 149,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive healthcare

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago seeks an experienced HR technology leader to own end-to-end system delivery for HR and talent platforms, from requirements through deployment and post-go-live support.

You will provide Level 3 support, design user-centered configurations, build integrations via APIs, ensure security and governance, and partner with stakeholders to deliver analytics and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in CS/IS or related field.
• 7+ years experience supporting and configuring HR technology solutions including LMS, recruiting, performance management.
• Proven leadership in HR technology implementations across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead System Delivery: end-to-end implementation and lifecycle management of HR and talent systems.
• Provide Advanced Support: Level 3 support for HR applications and sustainable solutions.
• Drive Technical Strategy: lead for Legal HR systems, advise on capabilities and roadmaps.
• Design User-Centered Solutions: translate business needs into intuitive system configurations.
• Ensure Governance & Compliance: align systems with security, privacy, and governance standards.
• Build Integrations: develop and maintain API-based integrations ensuring data flow accuracy.
• Strengthen Vendor Partnerships: collaborate with vendors to enhance solutions.
• Enable Data-Driven Decisions: design analytics and reporting for insights.
• Maintain Documentation: create and uphold system documentation and procedures.

Skills

Java

.NET

Python

SQL

Data analysis

APIs

SSO

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Systems

Job description

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 24 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You’ll Do

Are you a hands-on HR technology expert who thrives on leading complex system implementations and shaping scalable, secure solutions?

• Lead System Delivery: Own end-to-end implementation and lifecycle management of HR and talent systems, from requirements gathering through deployment and post-go-live support
• Provide Advanced Support: Deliver Level 3 support for HR applications, diagnosing complex issues and implementing effective, sustainable solutions
• Drive Technical Strategy: Serve as the primary technical and functional lead for Legal HR systems, advising on capabilities, best practices, and future roadmaps
• Design User-Centered Solutions: Translate business needs into intuitive, high-quality system configurations that align with organizational goals
• Ensure Governance & Compliance: Partner across HR, Technology, Security, and vendors to ensure systems meet all security, privacy, and governance standards
• Build Integrations: Develop and maintain integrations across systems using APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), ensuring accuracy, reliability, and secure data flow
• Strengthen Vendor Partnerships: Collaborate with vendors and developers to enhance solutions while aligning with internal technology and risk standards
• Enable Data-Driven Decisions: Partner with stakeholders to design analytics and reporting that drive insight and informed decision-making
• Maintain Documentation: Create and uphold system documentation, standards, and support procedures to ensure consistency and scalability

What You’ll Bring

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field—or equivalent practical experience
• Experience: 7+ years supporting and configuring HR technology solutions, including Learning Management Systems (LMS), recruiting, performance management, and talent platforms
• Implementation Leadership: Proven success leading HR technology implementations or major enhancements across cross-functional teams
• HR Systems Expertise: Strong understanding of HR and talent workflows, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment
• Technical Skills: Experience with programming or scripting languages such as Java, .NET, or Python, along with strong SQL and data analysis capabilities
• Integration Knowledge: Hands-on experience with Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, APIs, and Single Sign-On (SSO) technologies (e.g., SAML, OAuth)
• Problem Solving & Ownership: Analytical mindset with the ability to proactively identify, troubleshoot, and escalation as needed
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical and business teams
• Organization & Agility: Self-motivated and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting HR systems within a law firm or large professional services organization
• Hands-on experience with applicant tracking and talent acquisition platforms
• Familiarity with Microsoft Azure, Active Directory, and identity management concepts
• Experience building HR reporting, analytics, and dashboards

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Chicago. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation Range

Chicago: $149,000 - $166,000

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law. #LI-Hybrid #LI-AR1