Embedded Jobs in Illinois
Embedded jobs in Illinois are active across the state's deep manufacturing, defense, and industrial automation sectors, with demand at every level from junior firmware engineers to senior embedded architects. Chicago's North Shore tech corridor, Rockford's advanced manufacturing cluster, and the Peoria region anchor most of the hiring, where companies like Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Abbott Laboratories maintain large embedded engineering teams. The most in-demand specialties include real-time operating systems, automotive-grade firmware, and IoT edge development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com (http://www.rfamec.com)) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are seeking an entry-level to experienced candidate to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidate will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes. This position will operate onsite at our customer's world-class engineering and manufacturing facility.
This is a full-time position with a full benefit package listed below that includes opportunities for professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.
Sr. Embedded Software Engineer
This selected candidate will apply the principles of computer science and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the embedded software and systems that make computers work. A typical embedded software engineer researches, designs, develops and tests operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific and general computing applications.
Responsibilities
- Design and implement software of embedded devices and systems from requirements to production and commercial deployment for product lines.
- Review project requests describing database user needs to estimate time and cost required to accomplish project.
- Develop, debug, and validate embedded software for real-time control systems and machine applications.
- Participate in software architecture, design reviews, and code reviews to ensure quality and maintainability.
- Integrate software with sensors, actuators, communication networks, and other electronic control systems.
- Troubleshoot and resolve software, hardware, and system-level issues identified during development and testing.
- Create and maintain technical documentation, including software requirements, design specifications, and test plans.
Requirements
- BS in Software, Computer, Electrical, or other relevant Engineering degree.
- Experience with C or C++ development.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Self-motivated, quick learner, with an any-problem-can-be-solved attitude.
- Good organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to identify needed actions and act to resolve issues.
- Ability to communicate technical information effectively.
- Ability to thrive in a team environment.
- Must have a valid Driver's License.
Desired Attributes
- Experience with CAN J1939 & LIN communication protocols.
- Experience with Simulink/Matlab Model Based Software Design.
- Experience with GitHub or similar version control systems.
- General machine knowledge of vehicles, mobile equipment, or heavy equipment.
- Able to read/understand electrical schematics.
- Experience with embedded controls or machine control systems.
- Experience with Agile software development processes.
- Desire to work in an engineering environment focused on advanced machine control technologies.
Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
Pay Range: $100,000-$120,000 – Commensurate with experience
About RFA Engineering
RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.
Competitive Benefits
- Health and Dental Insurance
- Health Savings Account
- TelaDoc: Virtual Health Care
- Vision Insurance
- Company Paid / Supplemental Life Insurance
- Company Paid Long-Term Disability
- Supplemental Short-Term Disability
- Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
- Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
- Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Bereavement Leave
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
- Education Assistance
Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly
Education
Preferred- Bachelors of Science or better in Software Engineering
- Bachelors of Science or better in Electrical Engineering
- Bachelors of Science or better in Computer Engineering or related field
- Bachelors of Science or better in Computer Science or related field
Skills
Required- Soft - LIN Bus
- Soft - CAN Bus
- Soft - Agile
- Soft Lang - C
Behaviors
Preferred- Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
- Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com (http://www.rfamec.com)) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are seeking an entry-level to experienced candidate to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidate will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes. This position will operate onsite at our customer's world-class engineering and manufacturing facility.
This is a full-time position with a full benefit package listed below that includes opportunities for professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.
Sr. Embedded Software Engineer
This selected candidate will apply the principles of computer science and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the embedded software and systems that make computers work. A typical embedded software engineer researches, designs, develops and tests operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific and general computing applications.
Responsibilities
- Design and implement software of embedded devices and systems from requirements to production and commercial deployment for product lines.
- Review project requests describing database user needs to estimate time and cost required to accomplish project.
- Develop, debug, and validate embedded software for real-time control systems and machine applications.
- Participate in software architecture, design reviews, and code reviews to ensure quality and maintainability.
- Integrate software with sensors, actuators, communication networks, and other electronic control systems.
- Troubleshoot and resolve software, hardware, and system-level issues identified during development and testing.
- Create and maintain technical documentation, including software requirements, design specifications, and test plans.
Requirements
- BS in Software, Computer, Electrical, or other relevant Engineering degree.
- Experience with C or C++ development.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Self-motivated, quick learner, with an any-problem-can-be-solved attitude.
- Good organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to identify needed actions and act to resolve issues.
- Ability to communicate technical information effectively.
- Ability to thrive in a team environment.
- Must have a valid Driver's License.
Desired Attributes
- Experience with CAN J1939 & LIN communication protocols.
- Experience with Simulink/Matlab Model Based Software Design.
- Experience with GitHub or similar version control systems.
- General machine knowledge of vehicles, mobile equipment, or heavy equipment.
- Able to read/understand electrical schematics.
- Experience with embedded controls or machine control systems.
- Experience with Agile software development processes.
- Desire to work in an engineering environment focused on advanced machine control technologies.
Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
Pay Range: $100,000-$120,000 – Commensurate with experience
About RFA Engineering
RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.
Competitive Benefits
- Health and Dental Insurance
- Health Savings Account
- TelaDoc: Virtual Health Care
- Vision Insurance
- Company Paid / Supplemental Life Insurance
- Company Paid Long-Term Disability
- Supplemental Short-Term Disability
- Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
- Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
- Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Bereavement Leave
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
- Education Assistance
Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly
Education
Preferred- Bachelors of Science or better in Software Engineering
- Bachelors of Science or better in Electrical Engineering
- Bachelors of Science or better in Computer Engineering or related field
- Bachelors of Science or better in Computer Science or related field
Skills
Required- Soft - LIN Bus
- Soft - CAN Bus
- Soft - Agile
- Soft Lang - C
Behaviors
Preferred- Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
- Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 56 Embedded Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Embedded JobsEmbedded Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Embedded Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman11
- Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences4
- Shure3
- Komatsu2
- DMC Engineering2
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Technology & Software
- Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Transportation & Logistics
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in embedded jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science recognized by Illinois employers
- Proficiency in C or C++ for bare-metal or RTOS-based embedded development
- Experience with microcontrollers such as ARM Cortex-M, PIC, or AVR platforms
- Familiarity with hardware debugging tools including JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
- Knowledge of communication protocols including I2C, SPI, UART, and CAN bus
- Experience with version control systems and embedded software development life cycles
Embedded Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a embedded in Illinois?
Embedded engineering roles in Illinois do not require a state-issued license, but most employers expect a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science from an ABET-accredited program. Many Illinois universities, including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Illinois Institute of Technology, offer programs that feed directly into the state's manufacturing and defense employers. Relevant certifications in real-time systems or specific microcontroller platforms strengthen candidacy considerably.
Which companies hire embeddeds in Illinois?
Employers hiring embeddeds in Illinois right now include Northrop Grumman, Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences, and Shure, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of defense contractors, industrial automation firms, and medical device manufacturers means embedded roles appear across a notably broad range of industries compared with most states.
Which Illinois cities have the most embedded jobs?
Rolling Meadows, Mossville, and Peoria account for the most embedded openings in Illinois. Chicago and its northern suburbs drive volume through headquarters and R&D centers for defense and medical device companies, while Rockford's advanced manufacturing base and Peoria's heavy-equipment sector generate consistent embedded demand outside the main metro.
Are there remote embedded jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Embedded development is fundamentally hardware-adjacent, and most Illinois roles require hands-on access to development boards, test equipment, or production lines. About 45% of embedded openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in higher-level firmware architecture or software-defined radio work where lab access is less critical day to day.
How can I get hired as a embedded in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a junior or associate firmware engineer role at one of Illinois's mid-size industrial automation or medical device firms, where smaller teams offer broad exposure faster than large defense primes. Companies in the Chicago North Shore and Rockford corridors regularly hire new graduates who can demonstrate a portfolio of personal or capstone projects on common microcontroller platforms. Completing a relevant internship through the University of Illinois, Northwestern, or Illinois Tech and earning a certification in an RTOS such as FreeRTOS adds measurable credibility when competing for first roles.
Where can I find and apply to embedded jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to embedded jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Illinois employers. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly to each position.
See All 56 Embedded Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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