Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Illinois are active and competitive, with strong demand concentrated in defense and aerospace, automotive systems, industrial automation, and medical devices, and openings that run from entry-level firmware roles through principal and staff engineers. Chicago, Rockford, and the Route 128-equivalent corridor stretching through Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates are the primary hiring hubs, where anchor employers like Motorola Solutions, Caterpillar, and Abbott have maintained deep embedded engineering teams for decades. The most in-demand specialties are real-time operating systems, RTOS firmware, CAN and communication protocol stacks, and safety-critical software under IEC 62304 or DO-178C standards. 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 38 Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEmbedded Software Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Embedded Software Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman11
- Komatsu2
- RFA Engineering2
- Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences2
- Icodde1
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Transportation & Logistics
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in embedded software engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Proficiency in C and C++ for bare-metal or RTOS-based embedded development
- Experience with microcontrollers and microprocessors such as ARM Cortex or TI MSP platforms
- Familiarity with communication protocols including CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, or Ethernet
- Exposure to debugging tools like JTAG, oscilloscopes, or logic analyzers in a lab setting
- Experience with version control systems and cross-platform build environments such as Git and CMake
Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a embedded software engineer in Illinois?
Embedded software engineering in Illinois does not require a state-issued license, but most employers expect a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering from an accredited program. Illinois graduates often enter through co-op or internship pipelines at defense contractors, medical device firms, and industrial automation companies. Earning a Certified Embedded Systems Engineer designation through the IEEE Computer Society strengthens a candidate's profile considerably in Illinois's safety-critical and regulated industries.
How much do embedded software engineers make in Illinois?
Embedded software engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $132,110 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $80,980 for the lowest 10% to over $194,740 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire embedded software engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring embedded software engineers in Illinois right now include Northrop Grumman, Komatsu, and RFA Engineering, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of defense primes, medical device manufacturers, and industrial automation companies means embedded openings tend to cluster around firms with long-standing engineering campuses in the Chicago metro and the Rockford corridor.
Which Illinois cities have the most embedded software engineer jobs?
Rolling Meadows, Peoria, and Mossville have the most embedded software engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago anchors demand through its dense cluster of defense contractors and medical device firms, while suburban hubs like Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates reflect large campus footprints from companies like Motorola Solutions, and Rockford draws openings from aerospace and heavy-equipment manufacturers embedded in that region's industrial base.
Are there remote embedded software engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Embedded software engineering is inherently hardware-dependent, so most roles require lab access, hardware bring-up, or on-site debugging at some stage. About 33% of embedded software engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in firmware architecture, BSP development, or software integration work where the hardware phase is already complete.
How can I get hired as a embedded software engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate or associate engineer role at one of Illinois's large defense or medical device employers, which run structured onboarding programs for candidates without professional experience. Caterpillar and Motorola Solutions both hire new graduates into embedded and firmware teams through campus pipelines. Building a portfolio of personal microcontroller projects, contributing to open-source embedded firmware, or completing an IEEE Certified Embedded Systems Engineer prep course signals readiness to Illinois hiring managers who screen entry-level candidates heavily on demonstrated hands-on initiative.
Where can I find and apply to embedded software engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to embedded software engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across the state's defense, medical device, industrial, and automotive sectors. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 38 Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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