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.
Find Software Test Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 19+ Software Test Engineer jobs











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.
About Advanced Power Technologies:
Advanced Power Technologies (APT) defines and delivers Caterpillar’s next generation of power system technologies. The organization leads product strategy, long term technology roadmaps, and lifecycle leadership for advanced power, electrification, electronic controls, software, and energy solutions across the entire range of Power and Energy applications.
APT integrates hardware, software, and digital services to deliver scalable, reliable, and future‑ready power solutions. Partnering closely with product groups, engineering, and global delivery teams, APT balances near‑term business execution with long‑term technology leadership—enabling best in class electronics quality, fast response to market changes, differentiated customer value through vertical integration, improved uptime, and sustainable power systems across Caterpillar’s Power and Energy product portfolio
Role Definition
We are hiring for an Embedded Software Test Engineer. This person will perform verification and validation of electronic systems and components to use within equipment or machinery; supports other engineers to perform tasks when necessary. This role will support the Embedded Testing Software group.
What You Will Do:
- Analyzing the requirements of electronic systems and components based on customer satisfaction; making and adjusting design plans accordingly.
- Designing, testing and creating electronic systems and components, while ensuring that products can work alone and/or are compatible with other systems.
- Collaborating with colleagues in electronics and other engineering branches.
- Complying with safety regulations throughout the development process.
- Planning and executing embedded software testing for engine systems to verify functionality, performance, and compliance with requirements.
Degree Requirement
Degree required Requires a degree in an accredited Engineering, Computer Science,
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.
Level Working Knowledge:
- Accurately gauges the impact and cost of errors, omissions, and oversights.
- Utilizes specific approaches and tools for checking and cross-checking outputs.
- Processes limited amounts of detailed information with good accuracy.
- Learns from mistakes and applies lessons learned.
- Develops and uses checklists to ensure that information goes out error-free.
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.
Level Working Knowledge:
- Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue and determining its significance.
- Makes a systematic comparison of two or more alternative solutions.
- Uses flow charts, Pareto charts, fish diagrams, etc. to disclose meaningful data patterns.
- Identifies the major forces, events and people impacting and impacted by the situation at hand.
- Uses logic and intuition to make inferences about the meaning of the data and arrive at conclusions.
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.
Level Working Knowledge:
- Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
- Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
- Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
- Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
- Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.
Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
Level Working Knowledge:
- Provides effective technical solutions to routine functional challenges via sound technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues.
- Effectively performs the technical job aspects, continuously building knowledge and keeping up-to-date on technical and procedural job components.
- Applies technical operating and project standards based on achieving excellence in delivered products, technologies and services.
- Applies current procedures and technologies to help resolve technical issues in one's general area of technical competence.
- Helps others solve technical or procedural problems or issues.
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.
Level Working Knowledge:
- Documents test process and results; prepares and analyzes defect-tracking reports.
- Summarizes features of a specific product-testing process and associated procedures.
- Tests components for compliance with functional requirements and established conventions.
- Discusses and compares usability, safety and integration testing.
- Develops product-testing procedures; participates in selecting testing environment and tools.
Additional Information
- The location for this position is Mossville, IL.
- Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.
- Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For over 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.
Summary Pay Range:
$97,530.00 - $146,290.00Compensation 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 available for eligible applicants.
Posting Dates:
November 12, 2026 - November 20, 2026Any 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 19 Software Test Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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
- 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 CACI International, Caterpillar, and Vail Systems, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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, O'Fallon, and Oak Brook. 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 79% of software test engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 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 19 Software Test Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Software Test Engineer Jobs