Software Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Software Design Engineer jobs in Michigan are concentrated in the Detroit metro, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids, where automotive and mobility technology companies drive consistent demand for embedded systems, hardware-software integration, and control systems engineering. Established employers such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Aptiv maintain large engineering workforces across southeast Michigan and rely on software design engineers at every level from associate to principal. The most sought-after specialties include functional safety, real-time software architecture, and AUTOSAR-based platform development. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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See related jobs- SW Design and Release Engineer (DRE) is leading a embedded system software development project with a supplier for a Propulsion System Control Module.
- Control Modules supported may include Engine, BEV and HEV Supervisory controllers, High Voltage Battery controllers, DCDC Convertors, On Board Charging Modules, Motor Control Processors and other modules controlling propulsion system components.
- The Design Release Software Engineer are responsible for working with Tier one suppliers and Internal development teams (Base SW and Application SW developers as well as requirements team) for developing and integrating Embedded Software for advanced propulsion system components from initial design concept through full volume production.
Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Lead the planning and integration program software requirements that satisfy vehicle and component level functional objectives
- Work cross functionally with SW development (supplier or internal), SW validation, Calibration Diagnostics, FUSA and Architecture teams to manage SW release timing to meet Vehicle build and program timing needs
- Lead interface for SW issue resolution for Software on a component and vehicle level
- Lead technical input for SW coordination and requirements alignment meetings
- Coordinate change management for the component SW
- Support Validation, SW development and troubleshooting as needed
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Understanding of Propulsion Systems for ICE, HEV and BEV applications
- CANALYZER, CANOE and INCA proficiency
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills
- Familiar electrification architectures including 48V, EV, HEV, PHEV and BSG systems
- Highly motivated with self-motivation
- DVP&R and DFMEA basic understanding
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree Electrical, Computer Engineering or a related field
- Advanced automotive battery design and testing experience
- Product Design and Release experience
- Requirements Definition and Management
- Change Control and Issue Management Tracking
- SW Design and Release Engineer (DRE) is leading a embedded system software development project with a supplier for a Propulsion System Control Module.
- Control Modules supported may include Engine, BEV and HEV Supervisory controllers, High Voltage Battery controllers, DCDC Convertors, On Board Charging Modules, Motor Control Processors and other modules controlling propulsion system components.
- The Design Release Software Engineer are responsible for working with Tier one suppliers and Internal development teams (Base SW and Application SW developers as well as requirements team) for developing and integrating Embedded Software for advanced propulsion system components from initial design concept through full volume production.
Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Lead the planning and integration program software requirements that satisfy vehicle and component level functional objectives
- Work cross functionally with SW development (supplier or internal), SW validation, Calibration Diagnostics, FUSA and Architecture teams to manage SW release timing to meet Vehicle build and program timing needs
- Lead interface for SW issue resolution for Software on a component and vehicle level
- Lead technical input for SW coordination and requirements alignment meetings
- Coordinate change management for the component SW
- Support Validation, SW development and troubleshooting as needed
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Understanding of Propulsion Systems for ICE, HEV and BEV applications
- CANALYZER, CANOE and INCA proficiency
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills
- Familiar electrification architectures including 48V, EV, HEV, PHEV and BSG systems
- Highly motivated with self-motivation
- DVP&R and DFMEA basic understanding
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree Electrical, Computer Engineering or a related field
- Advanced automotive battery design and testing experience
- Product Design and Release experience
- Requirements Definition and Management
- Change Control and Issue Management Tracking
See All 5 Software Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
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Find Software Design Engineer JobsSoftware Design Engineer Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Design Engineer Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software design engineer jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering required
- Proficiency in C or C++ for embedded or real-time system development
- Experience with model-based design tools such as MATLAB Simulink or LabVIEW
- Familiarity with automotive or industrial communication protocols including CAN, LIN, or Ethernet
- Ability to interpret and author software design specifications and architecture documents
- Experience with version control systems and agile or iterative development workflows
Software Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software design engineer in Michigan?
Most software design engineer roles in Michigan require a bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a closely related field. Michigan does not require a state-issued license specifically for software design engineers, so hiring decisions center on your technical foundation, relevant project or internship experience, and demonstrated proficiency with the tools and platforms used in Michigan's dominant industries, particularly automotive and industrial systems.
How much do software design engineers make in Michigan?
Software design engineers in Michigan earn a median of about $125,570 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $78,930 for the lowest 10% to over $166,510 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire software design engineers in Michigan?
Companies currently hiring software design engineers in Michigan include General Motors (GM), Stryker, and Stellantis, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Michigan's deep roots in automotive and mobility technology mean many of the largest openings come from vehicle manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers, and the engineering firms that support them across the southeast Michigan corridor.
Which Michigan cities have the most software design engineer jobs?
Milford, Portage, and Dearborn account for the largest share of software design engineer openings in Michigan. The Detroit metro anchors the market through its concentration of automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, while Ann Arbor draws openings from university-affiliated research operations and technology-focused startups, and Grand Rapids reflects growing demand from advanced manufacturing and medical device companies based in west Michigan.
Are there remote software design engineer jobs in Michigan?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 100% of software design engineer openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves software tools, documentation, and code review that can be done off-site. Roles focused on model-based design, software architecture, and requirements management tend to be the most compatible with remote arrangements, while positions requiring lab access or hardware integration are typically on-site.
How can I get hired as a software design engineer in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate or rotational engineering program at one of Michigan's large automotive employers, where Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis each run structured programs that place recent graduates into embedded software and systems roles. Candidates who strengthen their application with a capstone project, open-source contributions, or an internship completed through a Michigan university engineering program gain a clear edge. Adjacent roles such as software test engineer or systems integration engineer at Michigan suppliers often serve as lateral entry points that develop the hands-on design experience needed to move into a full software design engineer title.
Where can I find and apply to software design engineer jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to software design engineer jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your background, skills, and location preference, then apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 5 Software Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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