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Rust Development Jobs in Grand Rapids, MI (NOW HIRING)

Rust Development information

See Grand Rapids, MI salary details

$76.4K

$136.5K

$171.4K

How much do rust development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for rust development in Grand Rapids, MI is $136,477.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,600.00 and $156,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Rust Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rust Developer, you need strong programming fundamentals, proficiency in Rust, and a solid understanding of systems programming concepts, often supported by a computer science degree or relevant experience. Familiarity with version control (e.g., Git), build tools like Cargo, and knowledge of concurrent and asynchronous programming are typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and collaborative communication skills help developers stand out in complex project environments. These skills ensure the creation of safe, efficient, and reliable software, leveraging Rust's unique strengths for high-performance applications.

What jobs use Rust programming?

Jobs that use Rust programming include roles such as Rust developer, systems programmer, embedded systems engineer, and backend developer. These positions often require knowledge of systems programming, performance optimization, and familiarity with tools like Cargo and Rust's ecosystem. Rust is valued for its safety and concurrency features in high-performance applications.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

In Rust development, senior software engineers, lead developers, and specialized system architects can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and working for large tech companies or in high-demand industries. These roles often require expertise in performance optimization, security, and large-scale system design, along with relevant certifications and a strong portfolio.

What are some common challenges Rust developers face when working on large-scale projects, and how can they overcome them?

Rust developers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges related to managing complex codebases and ensuring efficient collaboration with teammates. The strict ownership and borrowing rules in Rust can initially slow development, especially when integrating with legacy systems or external libraries. To overcome these hurdles, teams typically adopt clear coding standards, make use of Rust's robust module system for code organization, and leverage tools like cargo workspaces for dependency management. Regular code reviews and open communication also help maintain code quality and prevent integration issues.

How much money do Rust developers make?

Rust developers typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Skilled developers with expertise in systems programming and knowledge of tools like Cargo and Rust's ownership model tend to command higher salaries.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced software engineers, including senior Rust developers working in specialized fields like finance or high-frequency trading, can earn $500,000 or more annually. Such roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often involve working in high-stakes environments or with complex systems.

What is Rust development?

Rust development refers to the process of building software applications using the Rust programming language. Rust is known for its focus on safety, performance, and concurrency, making it ideal for creating reliable and efficient systems, such as web servers, command-line tools, and embedded devices. Developers use Rust to write code that minimizes common programming errors like null pointer dereferencing and data races, thanks to its strict compiler checks and ownership model. The Rust ecosystem includes a rich package manager (Cargo) and a supportive community, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced developers.
What are popular job titles related to Rust Development jobs in Grand Rapids, MI? For Rust Development jobs in Grand Rapids, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Rust Development jobs in Grand Rapids, MI look for? The top searched job categories for Rust Development jobs in Grand Rapids, MI are:
What cities near Grand Rapids, MI are hiring for Rust Development jobs? Cities near Grand Rapids, MI with the most Rust Development job openings:
Infographic showing various Rust Development job openings in Grand Rapids, MI as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $136,477 per year, or $65.6 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer - Autonomous Air Systems (Avionics)

Orb Aerospace

Lowell, MI

$850/wk

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

US Citizen or Permanent Resident 
In-Person 
Fall 2026 Start
 
Join us in building aircraft at scale, reindustrializing the Midwest, and turning autonomous aircraft into decentralized infrastructure. Orb is a small mission-driven team where your initiative, creativity, and dedication will be used to reach every village on the planet with power, logistics, and communications.
 
Your Role at Orb:
Orb is building software-hardware-integrated air platforms. This position will lead the design and of world class microelectronics, sensors, and edge compute devices. This position will develop firmware and interface with software primarily in Rust.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design and integrate autonomy into edge computing systems
  • Develop and test software solutions within Software-in-The-Loop and Hardware-in-The-Loop environments
  • Leverage existing mesh network hardware to support real-time communication
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary project teams
  • Lead and mentor a small software team while balancing multiple projects
  • Implement modern DevOps practices
Required Qualifications
  • Minimum 7+ years working in a strongly typed language (Rust preferred)
  • Proficiency in a Linux development environment
  • Understanding of data structures, algorithms and code optimization
  • Experience in most or all of the following areas:
  • o   SLAM
  • o   Robotics / ROS
  • o   Vision Systems (OpenCV)
  • o   Localization
  • o   Control systems
Preferred Qualifications
  • BS or MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • Embedded software development and hardware debugging experience
  • Experience developing autonomous systems
  • Experience with bandwidth-limited networking
+ Options and Incentives
About Orb Aerospace[AT1] [CC2] [AT3] : Orb was started with the mission to bring aviation to the 80% of the world that’s never had it; turning autonomous aircraft into tools to decentralize infrastructure, connect continents, protect soldiers, provide for families, and run economies. “Less like the flying taxis, more like the flying cowboys,” Orb is at the intersection of manned and unmanned aviation, reindustrializing the Midwest, and building the future we know is possible and want to live in.  
 
About Node One: Node One is a small team of engineers and operators who have dedicated their lives to solving some of the world’s hardest problems through a new kind of aviation. Orb’s live-work-fly R&D HQ. Node One is all about reducing the cycle time to design, build, and fly aircraft from years to months and building the systems and platforms we’ll use to reach every village on the planet. We stand on the shoulders of giants. Their great work allows us to accomplish ours. If you’ve been a rocket/airplane nerd and have a passion for designing, building, and flying airframes, autopilots, power systems, and embedded systems, or you love to push a new product through new manufacturing methods to a new market, come join the team at Node One and make history.
 
Orb Employees Are:
·         High Agency and Biased Towards Action
·         Have a History of Self-Starting, Pacing, and Finishing Projects
·         Thrive with Autonomy to Design New Solutions to Partially Defined Problems
·         Are Curious and Continue Learning
·         Can Represent the Company to Stakeholders and Customers Forward Deployed
·         Have Integrity and a Desire to Serve Others
Standard Benefits Package:
·         Orb provides a monthly flat rate towards medical, dental, and vision
o   $500 flat rate for individuals; $850 flat rate for married/family
·         Medical, Vision, Dental, Short/Long Term Disability, and Group/Voluntary Life Insurance
·         Opt-In 401K Options (Pre-Tax or Roth) with a 3% Employer Match
 
Perks:
·         Support in Getting your Pilots License and Ratings
·         Support for Continuing Education
·         Annual Customer Demos all over the World

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.