Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Software Systems Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, with the state's market concentrated in aerospace and defense, financial technology, healthcare IT, and enterprise software sectors, drawing candidates from entry-level through principal and staff engineer levels. Chicago leads hiring volume by a wide margin, followed by activity in Schaumburg and Champaign, where companies like Boeing, Motorola Solutions, and Caterpillar maintain deep engineering footprints. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois include embedded systems development, systems architecture, and DevSecOps integration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Date Posted:
2026-11-12Country:
United States of AmericaLocation:
US-IL-ROCKFORD-P1 ~ 2421 11th St ~ 2421 11TH ST-P1Position Role Type:
OnsiteU.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.Security Clearance Type:
None/Not RequiredSecurity Clearance Status:
Not Required
We're looking for an innovative and hands-on LabVIEW Software & Test Systems Engineer to join our Mechanical Power Conversion (MPC) division. This is an opportunity to develop the software and sophisticated test systems that bring cutting-edge aerospace products to life.
You'll play a critical role in designing, developing, and commissioning advanced test equipment used to support production, research and development, and qualification testing for military and commercial aerospace applications.
From fuel pumps and air turbine starters to engine and airframe gearboxes, blowers, and lubrication systems, your work will directly support the performance, reliability, and safety of aerospace technologies.
What You Will Do
- Develop LabVIEW based software for test equipment, specify data acquisition and control hardware, lead equipment verification & validation efforts, and provide support for delivered test equipment within the Mechanical Power Conversion (MPC) division of Collins Aerospace. The test equipment is utilized for production, R&D, and qualification testing of cutting-edge military and commercial aerospace products including fuel pumps, air turbine starters and blowers, engine and air frame gearboxes, and lube and scavenge pumps.
- Develop, maintain, and update LabVIEW software in Windows, FPGA, and Real-Time OS environments for manual and automated test equipment.
- Specify and implement appropriate NI cRIO, cDAQ, and PXI hardware solutions.
- Utilize LabVIEW coding best practices including well documented, scalable, maintainable, and modular code based on standardized architecture and common design patterns such as QMH and State Machines.
- Work on cross-functional teams which include Product Development Engineers, Sustaining Engineers, Program Managers, Quality Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, and Operations Managers.
- Estimate software development schedules and budgets.
- Lead test equipment development activities including design, build, assembly, checkout, verification/validation, and commissioning.
- Develop performance, maintenance, and calibration requirements for test stands and equipment.
- Participate/lead peer reviews of specifications, designs, and concepts for test equipment, components, and systems.
- Participate/lead peer software reviews.
What You Will Learn
- In-depth knowledge of the complete product family, including fuel pumps, oil pumps, air turbine starters, blowers, and gearboxes, with a strong understanding of their functions, and the validation processes.
- Gain experience managing projects from conception to completion, including development, planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale test stands and equipment.
- Advanced LabVIEW programming skills.
Qualifications You Must Have
- Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years of experience
- Demonstratable experience with NI LabVIEW development and NI hardware platforms
Qualifications We Prefer
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE).
- Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer (CLAD) or Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) certification.
- Experience programming National Instruments (NI) LabVIEW for Real-Time (RT) and FPGA platforms.
- Experience with industrial automation, controls, and test system integration.
- Experience working within the aerospace industry.
- Experience with hydraulic and pneumatic systems, air compressors, electric motors, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), torque sensors, temperature controllers, and flowmeters.
- Experience programming and implementing safety controllers and safety-related control systems.
What We Offer
Some of our competitive benefits package includes:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
- Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Student Loan Repayment Program
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
- Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
- Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
- Adoption Assistance
- Autism Benefit
- Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
- Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
- Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
- Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
- Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
- And more!
Learn More & Apply Now
We make modern flight possible for millions of travelers and our military every second. Our major product lines are on-board virtually every aircraft flying. Be it keeping passengers safe with our emergency power generation systems or creating a positive in flight experience through reliable cabin pressure controls and quieter engines, Power & Controls focuses on delivering a best-in-class experience to our customers. We hire the top people in the industry. Their ideas drive our performance, and their integrity keeps our customers happy. Join us as we take flight!
Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.
Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.
At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other - propel us all higher, again and again.
Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day.
As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.
RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
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See All 12 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsSoftware Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Systems Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software systems engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science required
- Proficiency in systems-level languages such as C, C++, or Ada
- Experience with systems requirements definition, decomposition, and verification processes
- Familiarity with model-based systems engineering tools such as MATLAB or Cameo
- Knowledge of software development lifecycle frameworks including Agile and DO-178 or similar standards
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional team collaboration
Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software systems engineer in Illinois?
Most software systems engineer roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field. Illinois does not issue a state-specific license for this role, but many positions in defense or safety-critical sectors require a Professional Engineer credential or a federal security clearance. Graduates from Illinois institutions or candidates with industry certifications in systems engineering gain a practical competitive edge in the Chicago and Champaign corridors.
How much do software systems engineers make in Illinois?
Software systems 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 software systems engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring software systems engineers in Illinois right now include NVIDIA, Talan, and Snowflake, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of aerospace, defense, and enterprise technology firms means openings are distributed across both large corporate headquarters and specialist government contractors in the greater Chicago region.
Which Illinois cities have the most software systems engineer jobs?
Chicago, Champaign, and Danville account for the largest share of software systems engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago anchors the market through its dense concentration of fintech, healthcare IT, and enterprise software employers, while Schaumburg and the northwest suburbs draw significant demand from defense contractors and telecommunications firms with long-standing engineering campuses in those areas.
Are there remote software systems engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most engineering disciplines. About 83% of software systems engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the role's strong overlap with software development work that can be done off-site. Positions focused on pure software architecture or integration testing tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while roles involving hardware integration or classified defense work typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a software systems engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a new-graduate associate engineer or systems analyst program at a large Illinois employer. Companies like Boeing and Motorola Solutions run structured rotational programs for early-career candidates in the Chicago metro area. Adjacent roles in software quality assurance, test engineering, or technical support within the same organizations frequently serve as lateral stepping stones. Completing a capstone systems engineering project, contributing to an open-source embedded or integration project, or earning a Certified Systems Engineering Professional associate credential strengthens a candidate's profile considerably in Illinois hiring pools.
Where can I find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago, Schaumburg, Champaign, and the surrounding areas. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listings.
See All 12 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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