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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Location
Champaign, Illinois
Employment Type
Intern
Location Type
Hybrid
Department
Technology and InnovationElectronic Design
Compensation
- Champaign, IL$35 – $40 per hour
The posted salary represents the lowest and highest ranges RV Tech reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position. Any posted salary range pertains only to the estimated starting pay for the role. Actual starting pay is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, skillset, qualifications, specific competencies, relevant education, and location.
About Us
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world.
The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.
Candidates should be available from January 11, 2027 to August 13, 2027.
Role Summary
As a Software Engineering Intern, you will support the Infotainment Platform Enablement team focused on next-generation infotainment platforms. The team enables early hardware bring-up develops manufacturing validation software, and builds system-level workload emulation and diagnostics frameworks to de-risk high compute automotive platforms well ahead of production. This role offers hands-on exposure to embedded systems, hardware-software integration, vehicle workload emulation, and large-scale diagnostics telemetry systems running on cutting-edge compute platforms.
Responsibilities
Contribute to the design and implementation of a Software Application Framework for infotainment and validation systems
Support hardware bring-up and validation of Electrical Control Units (ECUs)
Develop test utilities and manufacturing software in C/C++ and Python
Assist in emulating vehicle workloads to validate system behavior and power/performance characteristics
Debug hardware and software integration issues across subsystems (camera, display, audio, connectivity, sensors)
Collect, analyze, and visualize diagnostics telemetry data to support root cause analysis
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and deliver scalable solutions
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Currently enrolled in a full-time degree program in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Strong programming skills in C/C++ and/or Python
Understanding of embedded systems fundamentals
Must be located in Champaign, IL and able to work out of our office in the Research Park.
Preferred Qualifications:
Exposure to embedded platform architecture (GPU, PCIe, camera pipelines, high-speed interfaces)
Prior experience with high-compute platforms such as NVIDIA, Qualcomm, or equivalent SoCs
Coursework or internship experience involving:
Camera / Display / Audio subsystems
WiFi / Bluetooth / networking interfaces
Linux-based embedded systems
Experience with telemetry, data processing, or analytics tools (e.g., Databricks or equivalent data platforms) is a plus
Total Rewards
We build the exceptional — and we believe the people doing that work should be rewarded accordingly. In addition to a competitive base salary, full-time positions may be is eligible to participate in our annual company performance bonus program.
Payments are discretionary and not guaranteed; actual amounts depend on company results and the terms of the plan in effect, and require active employment at the time of payout. This role is also eligible for equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), subject to board approval and the terms of our equity incentive plans, including applicable vesting requirements.
In addition to our compensation programs, we invest in our people with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, wellbeing, and financial future for full-time employees — including health coverage, retirement savings, time off, and family planning programs. Offerings vary by country. Learn more about our global benefit programs.
External candidates can apply for this role through the Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies careers site (https://rivianvw.tech/#careers).
Equal Opportunity
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies” may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) record keeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
If you provide a mobile telephone number as part of your application or during the recruitment process, Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use that number to contact you via SMS text message for recruitment-related purposes, including scheduling, logistics, and status updates. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of applying for or being considered for employment.
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Please note this job posting represents an open, active vacancy. Additionally, we are not currently accepting applications from third party application services.
See All 8 Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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
- Consulting & Professional Services
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 Watchfire Signs, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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, Rolling Meadows, and Danville 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 100% of embedded systems engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 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 8 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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