Software Test Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Software Test Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, with steady hiring concentrated in enterprise software, financial technology, healthcare IT, and defense systems, covering everything from entry-level QA analysts to senior automation engineers. Chicago anchors the market as the dominant hiring hub, with additional activity in Schaumburg and Naperville, where companies like Motorola Solutions, Allstate, and Discover Financial maintain substantial technology operations. Automated testing, Agile QA methodologies, and performance engineering are the specialties driving the most consistent openings across the state. 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 Test Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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Find Software Test Engineer JobsSoftware Test Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Test Engineer 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 test engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field
- Hands-on experience writing and executing automated test scripts using tools like Selenium or Cypress
- Proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language such as Java, Python, or JavaScript
- Familiarity with Agile and Scrum development workflows and defect tracking tools like Jira
- Experience with API testing frameworks and tools such as Postman or REST Assured
- Knowledge of CI/CD pipeline integration and version control systems including Git
Software Test Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software test engineer in Illinois?
Software test engineering in Illinois has no state-issued license or registration requirement, so the path runs through education and industry credentials. Most Illinois employers expect a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Candidates who add a recognized certification such as ISTQB Foundation Level strengthen their applications considerably. Building a portfolio of test automation projects and contributing to open-source repositories is a practical way to demonstrate readiness to Illinois technology employers.
How much do software test engineers make in Illinois?
Software test engineers 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 test engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring software test engineers 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 financial services firms, healthcare technology companies, and defense contractors means demand for QA and testing professionals remains broad across the state's major industries.
Which Illinois cities have the most software test engineer jobs?
The cities with the most software test engineer openings in Illinois are Chicago, Oak Brook, and O'Fallon. Chicago generates the largest share by far, driven by its dense cluster of fintech firms, insurance companies, and enterprise software teams, while suburban hubs like Schaumburg and Naperville attract openings tied to the large technology and financial services campuses headquartered along the I-90 and I-88 corridors.
Are there remote software test engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. Software test engineering is largely desk-based and tool-driven, making it well suited to remote and hybrid arrangements. About 69% of software test engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how broadly the field has adopted distributed team models. Automated testing and test planning roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while roles involving embedded systems or hardware-adjacent testing more often require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a software test engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is targeting associate or junior QA analyst roles at mid-sized Illinois technology and insurance firms, which regularly bring on candidates who demonstrate foundational scripting ability and a working knowledge of testing concepts. Large Illinois employers such as Allstate and Motorola Solutions run technology rotational and early-career programs that include QA tracks. Candidates moving laterally from adjacent roles like technical support, business analysis, or manual testing can transition effectively by earning the ISTQB Foundation Level certification and building a portfolio of personal automation projects to show during interviews.
Where can I find and apply to software test engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to software test engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level, specialty, and preferred location or work arrangement, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 22 Software Test Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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