Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in Illinois are consistently in demand, with the state's deep manufacturing, defense, and automation sectors driving openings from entry-level firmware roles through senior systems architects. Chicago, the greater Rockford corridor, and the Peoria metro anchor most of the hiring, with companies like Motorola Solutions, Abbott, and Caterpillar maintaining long-standing embedded engineering teams across the state. The most sought-after specialties are real-time operating systems, automotive embedded software, and medical device firmware. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Cintal is a forward-thinking global technology company that develops and provides cutting-edge products and services to various industries such as heavy equipment, industrial, defense, agriculture, and medical. With our dedicated team of experienced technical professionals, Cintal aims to add value for its customers by leveraging advanced technologies to reduce product costs, shorten design and development lead times, and accelerate the introduction of high-quality products to the market.
BENEFITS:
- 10 paid holidays per year
- 2 weeks of paid time off per year, the current year is pro-rated based on start date
- Access to the company’s medical insurance, including dental and vision
- Eligibility for life insurance and disability coverage for short or long-term disabilities or long- term care needs
- 401 (k) eligibility with employer contribution annually
- Reimbursement for relocation expenses up to a certain amount on a case-by-case basis
- Yearly bonus based on company performance
JOB DESCRIPTION/TYPICAL TASK BREAKDOWN:
- Develop and enhance embedded software features for Robotics DETECT safety systems.
- Work with Embedded C++, Linux, and GitHub in an Agile environment.
- Troubleshoot software issues and support feature validation.
- Collaborate with global teams across software, systems, machine, and validation engineering.
- Contribute to delivering industry-leading safety technology solutions.
- Team Mission: Deliver high-quality DETECT safety technology products on time and within budget.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, develop, integrate, and test embedded software features for safety detection systems.
- Develop applications using Embedded C++, Linux, and GitHub.
- Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve software issues.
- Participate in Agile sprint planning, development, and reviews.
- Create and execute software validation plans to ensure quality and performance.
- Collaborate with global cross-functional teams including software, systems, machine, and validation engineers.
- Contribute to the delivery of high-quality safety technology solutions for robotics products.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering or relevant field required.
- Minimum 6-7 years in this capacity is a must
REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:
- Strong programming and coding skills in C/C++.
- Strong software design and analysis capabilities.
- Ability to communicate and present technical viewpoints effectively and professionally.
- Hands-on experience with Git, debuggers, and compilers.
- Experience with C Test and Google Test (GTest) frameworks.
- Knowledge of system-level feature design and specification.
- Understanding of communication protocols and datalinks such as CAN and Ethernet.
DESIRED SKILLS:
- GStreamer
- Detect sensors
- Robotics or autonomy
We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and global team. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. We are pleased to offer visa sponsorship for eligible and qualified individuals.
Cintal provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.
The pay range for this role is:
90,000 - 125,000 USD per year(IL-Mossville)
See All 9 Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsEmbedded Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Embedded Systems Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in embedded systems engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science required
- Proficiency in C and C++ programming for embedded and real-time systems
- Experience with microcontrollers such as ARM Cortex, PIC, or STM32 architectures
- Familiarity with RTOS platforms including FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or QNX
- Knowledge of communication protocols including CAN, SPI, I2C, and UART
- Experience with hardware debugging tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG
Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a embedded systems engineer in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field, and embedded systems engineering carries no state-issued license in Illinois. Graduates who pursue an FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) credential through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation strengthen their candidacy for roles at regulated industries like medical devices or defense contractors. Building a portfolio of documented embedded projects and contributing to open-source firmware work accelerates hiring considerably.
How much do embedded systems engineers make in Illinois?
Embedded systems engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $133,220 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,420 for the lowest 10% to over $210,100 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire embedded systems engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring embedded systems engineers in Illinois right now include Shure, Northrop Grumman, and Cintal, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of medical device manufacturers around the Chicago suburbs, defense contractors near Rockford, and heavy equipment makers in the Peoria area means demand is spread across multiple established industry clusters.
Which Illinois cities have the most embedded systems engineer jobs?
Niles, Chillicothe, and Rolling Meadows have the most embedded systems engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago and its northwest suburbs dominate due to the concentration of medical technology firms, telecommunications companies, and corporate engineering centers, while Rockford's aerospace and defense manufacturing base and Peoria's heavy equipment industry, led by Caterpillar, account for strong demand outside the metro.
Are there remote embedded systems engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Embedded systems engineering is inherently hands-on, requiring access to physical hardware, lab equipment, and prototype boards, which limits full remote arrangements. About 67% of embedded systems engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with most flexibility found in software-heavy portions of the role such as firmware architecture, code review, and simulation work.
How can I get hired as a embedded systems engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an associate hardware or firmware engineer posting at an Illinois medical device or industrial automation company, where structured new-graduate programs are most common. Abbott and Motorola Solutions have historically brought on entry-level embedded candidates in the Chicago area, and Caterpillar runs rotational engineering programs out of its Peoria headquarters. Candidates who can demonstrate hands-on work through senior capstone projects, personal microcontroller builds, or contributions to open-source embedded repositories consistently edge out those with coursework alone.
Where can I find and apply to embedded systems engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to embedded systems engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each one.
See All 9 Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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