Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in Illinois
Software Development Engineer In Test jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in enterprise software, financial technology, and healthcare IT sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level QA automation engineers through senior and staff SDET roles. Chicago anchors the market, while Deerfield and Schaumburg host significant engineering centers for companies like Walgreens, Motorola Solutions, and Allstate, all of which maintain active SDET hiring pipelines. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois listings are test automation frameworks, CI/CD pipeline integration, and performance testing for cloud-native applications. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Career Area:
EngineeringJob Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
Job Summary
Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies (CTCT) is a joint venture between Caterpillar and Trimble whose purpose is to transform the way heavy equipment customers shape the world with solutions that differentiate Caterpillar and Trimble.
The Software Test & Validation Engineer will be part of an international team providing internal verification and validation (V&V) for CTCT products. This position networks closely with CTCT internal product/project teams, as well as Caterpillar and Trimble product teams, to provide high-quality products to the earthmoving, paving, and mining industries. This hands-on role will leverage the experiences and training gained from previous verification and validation positions.
What You Will Do:
- Resolving issues regarding design or manufacturing. Ensuring design acceptance and manufacturing readiness.
- Participating in the adoption of new technologies and processes (automation, robotics, computer aided manufacturing software, etc.) to achieve greater efficiency, cost reduction and quality improvement.
- Planning and improving testing procedures and operations to make the test more reliable, efficient and cost-effective.
- Monitoring results, machine and process capabilities and performance reliability.
- Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science, or Materials Science curriculum or equivalent experience working in an Engineering function.
What you will have:
- Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
- Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
- Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
- Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
- Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
- Project Management: Knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
- Product Testing: Knowledge of product testing approaches, techniques and tools; ability to design, plan and execute testing strategies and tactics to ensure product quality at all stages of manufacturing.
- Troubleshooting Technical Problems: Knowledge of troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, detect and resolve technical problems in a manufacturing or product development environment.
Consideration for top candidates:
- Requires a degree in an accredited Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Engineering curriculum
- Strong experience in software test validation in devices or machines
- Earthmoving machine or industry knowledge
- Grade control experience or similar machine control technology experience preferred
- Software development experience using Python, MATLAB, Java etc. preferred
Additional Details:
- This position requires the candidate to work full-time at the Peoria, IL office.
- Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
- Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.
- This position will require up to 10% travel
Summary Pay Range:
$89,210.00 - $133,810.00Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
401(k) savings plans*
Health Savings Account (HSA)*
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
Health Lifestyle Programs*
Employee Assistance Program*
Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
Career Development*
Incentive bonus*
Disability benefits
Life Insurance
Parental leave
Adoption benefits
Tuition Reimbursement
- These benefits also apply to part-time employees
Relocation is available for this position. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.
See All 22 Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in Illinois
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Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Development Engineer In Test Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software development engineer in test jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field
- Proficiency in at least one automation framework such as Selenium, Cypress, or Playwright
- Experience writing test scripts in Java, Python, or JavaScript for large-scale applications
- Familiarity with CI/CD tools including Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or Azure DevOps pipelines
- Understanding of Agile and Scrum methodologies within cross-functional engineering teams
- Experience with API testing tools such as Postman or REST Assured for service validation
Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software development engineer in test in Illinois?
Most software development engineer in test roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field, though candidates with associate degrees and strong portfolio work do get hired. Illinois has no state-issued license for this role. Employers in Chicago's fintech and healthcare IT sectors typically look for candidates who can demonstrate hands-on automation experience through GitHub repositories, bootcamp certifications, or coursework covering test frameworks and coding fundamentals.
How much do software development engineer in tests make in Illinois?
Software development engineer in tests in Illinois earn a median of about $104,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,480 for the lowest 10% to over $150,620 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire software development engineer in tests in Illinois?
Employers hiring software development engineer in tests in Illinois right now include Caterpillar, CNH Industrial, and Vail Systems, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters in Chicago and major suburban campuses in Lake County and the I-88 corridor means SDET demand stays consistent across enterprise software, insurance technology, and healthcare platforms.
Which Illinois cities have the most software development engineer in test jobs?
The cities with the most software development engineer in test openings in Illinois are Chicago, Oak Brook, and O'Fallon. Chicago drives the bulk of listings through its dense fintech, healthtech, and enterprise software ecosystem, while suburban hubs like Deerfield and Schaumburg generate steady openings from large corporate engineering campuses that house the technology divisions of major Illinois-headquartered companies.
Are there remote software development engineer in test jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields, because SDET work is inherently code-focused and does not require physical lab access in the majority of roles. About 69% of software development engineer in test openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how widely distributed engineering teams have become across Illinois employers. Test automation and CI/CD pipeline work tend to be the most remote-friendly specialties within the role.
How can I get hired as a software development engineer in test in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Illinois is moving laterally from a manual QA analyst or junior developer role at one of the state's large technology employers, where internal mobility programs at companies like Morningstar, Discover Financial, and Zebra Technologies regularly place early-career candidates into SDET tracks. Building a public GitHub portfolio with Selenium or Playwright automation projects and earning a certification in a recognized framework strengthens applications significantly. University recruiting events at University of Illinois and DePaul University also connect new graduates directly with Illinois engineering teams running associate SDET programs.
Where can I find and apply to software development engineer in test jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to software development engineer in test jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago, the suburbs, and remote roles tied to Illinois employers. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 22 Software Development Engineer In Test Jobs in Illinois
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