Systems/Network Engineer

Systems/Network EngineerLocation: Chicago, IL | Type: Contract | Setup: Hybrid (3 days onsite) | Experience: 3+ years | Pay: $70-$80/hrAbout the RoleWe're hiring a Systems/Network Engineer to get physical AI infrastructure up and running in real customer environments. You'll build and configure servers, connect them to customer networks, and work through the hardware and connectivity issues that stand between a box arriving on site and a platform that's live.The client is an early-stage AI platform company that deploys private, on-premises AI for banks and other financial institutions. Their customers want AI running inside their own walls, which means the hardware, the network, and the security posture all have to be right the first time. This role sits at the center of that work.It's a hybrid contract based in Chicago, onsite three days a week, with travel to customer sites as deployments require. If you like work where you can see the result plugged in and running, this one will feel familiar.What You'll DoBuild, configure, and install servers, including OS installs and initial hardware setupRack, cable, and connect equipment at customer sites and in the Chicago officeConfigure network connectivity (switching, routing, VLANs, firewall rules, VPN) so each deployment can reach the systems it needsTroubleshoot hardware, network, and OS issues during installs and after go-liveWrite scripts that automate repeatable setup, configuration, and health checksTravel to customer sites when a deployment needs hands on the hardwareDocument configurations and install steps so the next deployment goes fasterWork alongside the client's engineers and customer-facing team, and coordinate with customer IT and security teams during installsQualifications3+ years of hands-on experience in systems administration, network engineering, or infrastructure deploymentComfort with physical hardware: server builds, racking, cabling, and component-level troubleshootingSolid networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, and firewallsLinux administration experience (Windows Server is a plus)Scripting in Bash, Python, or PowerShellAble to work onsite in Chicago three days a week and travel to customer sites as neededExperience working with enterprise IT or security teams, especially in banking or other regulated environments, is a plusFamiliarity with virtualization, Kubernetes, or Azure is a plusWhy Join UsYou'll be working with a small, fast-moving team that's putting real AI into production for institutions that don't take shortcuts on security. There's room to shape how deployments get done, and your work will be the reason a customer goes live.If you'd rather be in the server room than writing about it, we'd like to talk.To apply, click Apply on LinkedIn and visit eliosai.com/browse-jobs