Embedded Systems Engineer Entry Level Jobs in Illinois

Embedded Software Engineer

Job Description

The Embedded Software Engineer designs, develops, and verifies high‑quality embedded software and supporting test systems for real‑time control environments. This role establishes and applies best practices in software development, leads complex troubleshooting and verification activities, and collaborates closely with cross‑functional teams to deliver reliable, safe, and compliant solutions.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain software development standards, methodologies, and best practices to optimize performance and ensure high‑quality, maintainable code.
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve complex embedded software issues using diverse information sources and innovative problem‑solving approaches.
• Design scalable, robust, and maintainable software architectures for embedded and real‑time systems.
• Lead software development projects from inception to completion with minimal supervision, ensuring timely and high‑quality delivery.
• Collaborate and coordinate with cross‑functional teams and subject matter experts to drive project success and align on technical solutions.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, facilitating understanding and informed decision‑making.
• Apply industry best practices and standards to improve software development processes and ensure consistent implementation across projects.
• Review software requirements for clarity, completeness, consistency, and testability to support effective verification and validation.
• Develop comprehensive verification plans, test cases, and procedures based on software requirements for embedded and real‑time systems.
• Execute software tests and review results to confirm that software performs as expected under normal, boundary, and fault conditions.
• Verify and maintain traceability between requirements, test cases, code, and test results to demonstrate complete coverage and compliance.
• Log, track, and retest defects discovered during verification until corrective actions are implemented and confirmed.
• Configure, validate, and verify test stands, including motor simulation and integrated software tools, to ensure they meet intended requirements and operate reliably and safely prior to software verification.
• Work with hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL), and real‑time control environments to support development and verification activities.
• Develop and execute acceptance test cases with clear pass/fail criteria to support formal verification and acceptance testing.
• Troubleshoot issues related to signal mapping, timing, configuration, calibration, and communications within test frameworks and embedded systems.
• Incorporate understanding of market trends and competitor offerings to inform strategic software development decisions when appropriate.
• Facilitate consensus among stakeholders on technical solutions, architectural decisions, and project direction.

Essential Skills

• Expertise in multiple programming languages and frameworks relevant to embedded software engineering.
• Strong proficiency in designing scalable, robust, and maintainable software architectures for embedded and real‑time systems.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve intricate technical challenges using innovative and structured problem‑solving methods.
• Proven experience leading software development projects from concept through delivery with minimal supervision.
• Effective cross‑functional collaboration skills, working closely with engineering, test, and other stakeholder teams to achieve project objectives.
• Ability to implement and enforce industry best practices and standards in software development processes.
• Strong skills in building consensus among diverse stakeholders on technical and architectural decisions.
• Excellent technical communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex information to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Hands‑on real‑time systems experience, including work with test stands, HIL/SIL systems, or real‑time control environments.
• Practical experience integrating tools such as Simulink, VeriStand, LabVIEW, and real‑time targets within a test framework.
• Experience developing and executing verification and acceptance test cases with clearly defined pass/fail criteria.
• Strong troubleshooting abilities in signal mapping, timing, configuration, calibration, and communications within embedded and test systems.
• Ability to review software requirements for clarity, completeness, consistency, and testability.
• Experience creating verification plans, test cases, and procedures based on software requirements.
• Experience executing software tests and analyzing results under normal, boundary, and fault conditions.
• Ability to maintain traceability between requirements, test cases, code, and test results.
• Ability to log, track, and retest defects through resolution and confirmation of corrective actions.
• 4‑year bachelor’s (BS) degree and 4+ years of equivalent experience, or international bachelor’s/University degree equivalent and 4+ years of equivalent experience.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with embedded systems, including integration of software and hardware components in real‑time environments.
• Understanding of market trends and competitor offerings to inform strategic development decisions.
• Experience working within structured verification and validation frameworks for safety‑critical or highly reliable systems.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, priorities, and stakeholders in a fast‑paced engineering environment.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, professional development, and adoption of new tools and methodologies.
• Eligibility to access information subject to ITAR and/or EAR regulations or to obtain any required authorizations, as applicable.
• Interest in leveraging tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities to deepen technical expertise.

Work Environment

This role operates in a hybrid/onsite environment, combining time in a modern engineering facility with the flexibility of remote work as business needs allow. Onsite work involves hands‑on interaction with embedded systems, test stands, and real‑time control environments, including HIL/SIL setups and motor simulation platforms. The engineer regularly uses tools such as Simulink, VeriStand, LabVIEW, NI TestStand, and other integrated software tools within a structured test framework. The work setting emphasizes collaboration with cross‑functional teams, open communication, and a culture of continuous improvement. Team members have access to comprehensive benefits, including tuition reimbursement and professional development support, paid holidays, vacation, sick time, and leave programs, as well as medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one. Additional benefits include paid parental leave and adoption assistance, mental health and Employee Assistance Program resources, life and disability coverage with optional supplemental plans, and voluntary benefits such as legal assistance and critical illness coverage. The organization upholds equal employment opportunity principles and fosters an inclusive, supportive environment focused on technical excellence and employee well‑being.

This is a Contract position based out of Elk Grove Village, IL.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $80.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Elk Grove Village,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.