Senior Physical Security Engineer

Kirkland & Ellis; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Kirkland & Ellis is seeking a Senior Physical Security Engineer to implement, configure, test, and support integrated physical security systems across multiple offices, ensuring reliability and alignment with firm standards. You will collaborate with Physical Security Managers, IT, Operations, and vendors globally.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Security/IT or 4+ years in a corporate environment, with hands-on experience in security systems, IT infrastructure, and project coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Security, IT, or related field or 4+ years in corporate security
• Experience with physical security systems in a corporate environment
• Knowledge of access control and video surveillance platforms
• Familiarity with service ticketing systems and IT infrastructure

Responsibilities

• Configure, program, test, and commission physical security hardware/software
• Provide troubleshooting for access control and video surveillance
• Support office buildouts and expansion projects
• Coordinate with vendors, integrators, and consultants
• Maintain system documentation and inventories

Skills

Physical security concepts

System configuration

Access control

Video surveillance

Troubleshooting

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Security/IT or related

Tools

ServiceNow

Windows Server

Adobe Acrobat/Bluebeam Revu

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Kirkland & Ellis

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

The Senior Physical Security Engineer is responsible for the technical implementation, configuration, testing, and ongoing support of integrated physical security systems across multiple office locations. This role supports access control, video surveillance, visitor management systems, and related security technologies, ensuring systems are reliable, secure, and aligned with firmwide standards. Working closely with Physical Security Managers, IT, Operations, Real Estate teams, and third‑party vendors, the Sr. Physical Security Engineer plays a key role in office expansion projects, system upgrades, and day‑to‑day technical support of security infrastructure. This role supports a global environment and may occasionally require flexible hours to coordinate with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Key Responsibilities

• Configure, program, test, and commission physical security hardware and software systems
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for access control, video surveillance, and related security systems
• Serve as a technical resource and escalation point for local Physical Security Managers, IT, and Operations teams
• Support office buildouts and expansion projects by attending project meetings, reviewing drawings, and coordinating with vendors, integrators, and consultants
• Partner with internal and external teams during system installations, upgrades, and maintenance activities
• Proactively maintain security systems by supporting software updates, coordinating hardware repairs or replacements, and scheduling service activities
• Ensure compliance with established security standards and assist with maintaining system documentation, configurations, as‑built drawings, and equipment inventories
• Support new physical security initiatives and projects as assigned

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Security, Information Technology, or a related field or
• Minimum of 4 years of equivalent hands‑on experience supporting physical security systems in a corporate environment

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of physical security systems and supporting IT infrastructure
• Hands‑on experience with system configuration, testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance
• Experience with access control and video surveillance platforms (Software House / Johnson Controls preferred)
• Basic troubleshooting experience in Windows Server environments, including reviewing application logs and identifying network‑related issues
• Familiarity with service ticketing systems (ServiceNow or similar)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Experience editing PDF documents using tools such as Adobe Acrobat or Bluebeam Revu

Preferred Certifications

• Software House CCURE 9000 Advanced Integrator Certification
• Genetec Security Center Enterprise Technical Certification (or similar)

Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proven problem‑solving

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: $100,000 - $138,000

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now." Don’t meet every job requirement? That’s okay! If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.