Test Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Test Engineer jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, with the strongest concentration in advanced manufacturing, automotive systems, aerospace and defense, and semiconductor production, drawing candidates from entry-level quality assurance roles through senior systems validation engineers. Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria anchor most of the hiring activity, and established employers like Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Boeing maintain a consistent presence across the state. Software validation, embedded systems testing, and automated test equipment development are among the most in-demand specialties right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles60
Top employerNorthrop Grumman
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring29
Work type71% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 60+ Test Engineer jobs

Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences
Electrical Test Engineer
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Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences
New 13h ago
Electrical Test Engineer
Katalyst Healthcares & Life Sciences
Rockford, Illinois
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
51-200

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Centuria Corporation
Test Engineer
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Centuria Corporation
New 13h ago
Test Engineer
Centuria Corporation
Scott AFB, Illinois
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
51-200

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Capgemini
SDET - Test Engineer
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Capgemini
New 18h ago
SDET - Test Engineer
Capgemini
Chicago, Illinois
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Automation QA
Technical Program Management
$69k - $162k/yr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Caterpillar
Senior Test & Validation Engineer
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Caterpillar
Added 1d ago
Senior Test & Validation Engineer
Caterpillar
Mossville, Illinois
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Product Management
$113k - $169k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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Caterpillar
Test & Validation Senior Engineer
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Caterpillar
Added 1d ago
Test & Validation Senior Engineer
Caterpillar
Mossville, Illinois
Customer Service & Support
Customer Support
Product Management
Technical Program Management
$113k - $169k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering
10,000+

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See All 60 Test Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Test Engineer Jobs

Test Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
10 jobs
Rolling Meadows
7 jobs
Rockford
4 jobs
Lisle
3 jobs
Oak Brook
3 jobs
Scott AFB
3 jobs
Schaumburg
3 jobs
Normal
2 jobs
Freeport
2 jobs

Test Engineer Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman7 open roles
Rivian
Rivian2 open roles
Broadcom
Broadcom2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Manufacturing
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Electronics & Hardware
  • Energy

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in test engineer jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer science required
  • Hands-on experience with automated test frameworks such as NI TestStand or LabVIEW
  • Proficiency writing and executing test plans, test cases, and defect reports
  • Familiarity with manufacturing quality standards including ISO 9001 or IATF 16949
  • Experience with scripting languages such as Python or C++ for test automation
  • Strong analytical skills for root cause analysis and failure mode documentation

Test Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a test engineer in Illinois?

Most Illinois test engineer roles require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or a closely related field. Illinois does not impose a state license specific to test engineers, but roles in aerospace, defense, or safety-critical manufacturing often expect certifications such as Certified Software Test Professional or ASQ Certified Quality Engineer. Building hands-on experience through internships at Illinois manufacturers or tech firms strengthens most applications considerably.

Which companies hire test engineers in Illinois?

Employers hiring test engineers in Illinois right now include Northrop Grumman, Rivian, and Broadcom, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of defense contractors, automotive suppliers, and industrial technology companies means consistent test engineer openings appear across both the Chicago metro and downstate manufacturing corridors.

Which Illinois cities have the most test engineer jobs?

Chicago, Rolling Meadows, and Rockford account for the most test engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago drives volume through its aerospace, defense, and enterprise technology employers, while Rockford's deep-rooted aerospace and precision manufacturing base and Peoria's heavy equipment and industrial sectors bring consistent demand outside the main metro.

Are there remote test engineer jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused fields, since test engineering often involves physical hardware, lab equipment, or production floor access. About 29% of test engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, which reflects growing flexibility in the field. Software validation, test automation scripting, and test strategy roles tend to be the most remote-friendly specialties.

How can I get hired as a test engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a quality assurance technician or associate test engineer role at one of Illinois's large manufacturers, where companies like Caterpillar and Motorola Solutions regularly bring on new graduates through structured rotational or associate engineering programs. Adjacent roles in manufacturing quality inspection or software QA analysis are common stepping stones. Earning an ASQ Certified Quality Technician credential or completing a relevant capstone project gives early-career candidates a concrete edge in Illinois applications.

Where can I find and apply to test engineer jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to test engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries including manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and technology. Find the roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each one.

See All 60 Test Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Test Engineer Jobs