IT Site Reliability & Performance Engineer

The Site Reliability and Performance Engineer designs implement and maintains monitoring and observability solutions and supports the performance and scalability of IT infrastructure and applications. This role partners closely with infrastructure, operations, development, and security teams to help ensure IT services and systems remain available, reliable, and high performing.

This position is based at our Corporate Headquarters in Wood Dale, IL, with a planned relocation to the Merchandise Mart (Chicago) in early 2027.

What you will be responsible for:

• Develop and maintain the organization’s monitoring and observability strategy, standards, and best practices.
• Design, deploy, and manage monitoring platforms and related tools.
• Collect, analyze, and visualize metrics, logs, traces, and events to deliver end-to-end observability across infrastructure and applications.
• Build and maintain dashboards, alerts, and reports for infrastructure, operations, development, and security teams.
• Improve performance, reliability, scalability, and operational maturity of systems and applications.
• Capacity Planning: Plan for future growth and ensure that systems can handle increased loads without performance degradation.
• Partner with development teams to improve services through rigorous testing and release procedures
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues involving app performance, monitoring and observability tools.
• Provide guidance and support to IT teams on effective use of monitoring and observability solutions and standardize their usage.
• Research and assess emerging technologies and trends in app performance, monitoring and observability.

• Proven experience in app performance and IT monitoring and observability role.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• At least three years of experience in IT monitoring and observability administration, engineering, or support.
• Strong knowledge of monitoring and observability tools and platforms.
• Experience with IT infrastructure and application technologies, including Linux, Windows, Azure, networking, databases, and web platforms.
• Strong experience with scripting and automation tools such as Python, Bash, and Ansible.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Relevant certifications in monitoring and observability tools and platforms are preferred.

Additional Positives for the Position:

• Holding credentials that demonstrates ability to perform a specific level of tasks related IT Monitoring and Observability
• Working Knowledge of New Relic Platform
• System admin experience
• Application performance testing experience

• Competitive salary and bonus package
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off program
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach and move about the facility.
• The environmental characteristic for this position is an office setting.
• Candidates should be able to adapt to a traditional business environment.

AAR provides accommodation in accordance with applicable laws through all stages of the hiring process. If you require accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please advise Human Resources., The anticipated salary range for this position is $110,000 to $130,000 annually. This range reflects the base salary for candidates who meet the requirements of the role, including experience, education, and location. In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a 10% bonus. AAR offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan with employer match, paid time off and holiday pay, as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.