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Software Designer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Staff Software Engineer, R&D

Portage, MI · On-site

$102K - $171K/yr

Translate customer, user, and system requirements into software designs and implementation plans. * Own the design, coding, integration, testing, and troubleshooting of software modules for embedded ...

Make Ready Designer

Northville, MI · On-site

$25 - $40/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This candidate will also use industry-leading software to load poles in Pole Foreman, draft CAD design prints review designs for NESC compliance. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: * Understand overhead ...

Staff Software Engineer, R&D

Portage, MI · On-site

$102K - $171K/yr

Translate customer, user, and system requirements into software designs and implementation plans. * Own the design, coding, integration, testing, and troubleshooting of software modules for embedded ...

Distribution Designer

Big Rapids, MI · On-site +1

$22 - $27/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Translate field data into accurate distribution designs using utility-specific design software (Open Utilities) and other CAD tools. * Design power distribution systems by determining power ...

Distribution Designer

Big Rapids, MI · On-site +1

$22 - $27/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Translate field data into accurate distribution designs using utility-specific design software (Open Utilities) and other CAD tools. * Design power distribution systems by determining power ...

RTOS Embedded Software Engineer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$121K - $159K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Work with/resolve ambiguity in requirements/specifications/designs. Maintain clear and concise documentation of design and firmware architecture. Create elegant, efficient real-time software ...

Industrial Designer

Traverse City, MI · On-site

$119K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Masters Britten Inc software systems, processes and procedures quickly, and consistently shares ... Designs themed and branded environments, exhibits, and event activations for the Scenic division

Industrial Designer

Traverse City, MI

$119K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Masters Britten Inc software systems, processes and procedures quickly, and consistently shares ... Designs themed and branded environments, exhibits, and event activations for the Scenic division

Industrial Designer

Traverse City, MI · On-site

$119K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Masters Britten Inc software systems, processes and procedures quickly, and consistently shares ... Designs themed and branded environments, exhibits, and event activations for the Scenic division

In this role, you will collaborate with partners across design, software, engineering, and product ... Collaborate with designers and cross functional partners to deliver a premier user experience ...

In this role, you will collaborate with partners across design, software, engineering, and product ... Collaborate with designers and cross functional partners to deliver a premier user experience ...

Showing results 21-40

Software Designer information

See Michigan salary details

$9.6K

$81.5K

$122.5K

How much do software designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for software designer in Michigan is $81,511.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,000.00 and $93,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software designer?

Software Designers are professionals who plan, create, and refine the structure and appearance of software applications. They focus on the user experience, system architecture, and how different components of a program interact. Their responsibilities often include creating design specifications, wireframes, and prototypes, collaborating with developers and stakeholders, and ensuring that the final product meets user and business requirements. Software Designers play a critical role in making software functional, usable, and aesthetically pleasing.

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

To thrive as a Software Designer, you need strong proficiency in software development principles, user experience (UX) design, and an educational background in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with design tools like Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD, as well as knowledge of programming languages and version control systems, is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective collaboration are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for creating functional, user-friendly software solutions that meet both technical and user requirements.

How does a software designer typically collaborate with other team members during the development process?

A Software Designer works closely with developers, product managers, and UX/UI designers to ensure that software solutions are both functional and user-friendly. Regular meetings, design reviews, and feedback sessions are common, allowing the designer to communicate requirements, clarify design intentions, and incorporate suggestions from various stakeholders. Effective collaboration often involves using shared tools such as design systems, version control, and project management platforms. This team-oriented approach helps streamline development and ensures that the final product aligns with user needs and business goals.

What does a software designer do?

As a software designer, your role is to create and test software solutions to a set of problems during the early stages of software development. As the designer, your duties are to consider the requirements of the software, which can be done by performing a software requirements analysis, to identify the specific conditions your product needs to meet for a new piece of software to be developed. Once you have completed an SRA, you then design the framework of the application, which developers code into an actual piece of software. You may work closely with software analysts whose job it is to understand problems from the clients or user’s end and convey that to developers with efficiency.

What is the difference between Software Designer vs Software Developer?

AspectSoftware DesignerSoftware Developer
Primary RoleFocuses on designing software architecture, user experience, and overall system structureImplements, codes, and tests the software based on designs
Required SkillsDesign principles, system architecture, UX/UI understandingProgramming languages, coding, debugging
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with designers, product managers, and developersWorks mainly on coding and testing
Common CertificationsNone specific, but knowledge of design tools and methodologiesProgramming certifications, such as Microsoft Certified, Java certifications

While both roles are integral to software development, a Software Designer primarily focuses on planning and designing the system, whereas a Software Developer implements and codes the software based on those designs. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job focus within the tech industry.

What are popular job titles related to Software Designer jobs in MI?

For Software Designer jobs in MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Software Designer job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 84% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,511 per year, or $39.2 per hour.

Senior Embedded Software Engineer - Secret Clearance

IF1139 GE Aviation Systems LLC

Grand Rapids, MI • On-site

$130 - $173/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Job Description Summary

Are you an Embedded Software Engineer who loves working on high‑assurance embedded systems? If so, GE Aerospace Defense and Systems wants you to join their Advanced Technologies team in Grand Rapids, MI. You will be part of a cross‑functional team that develops innovative solutions for capabilities on custom hardware. You will work on projects related to stores management, cybersecurity, networking, and sensing and signal processing. This position requires an active U.S. security clearance. This position is based in Grand Rapids MI. An extensive corporate relocation package is available for eligible candidates. GE Aerospace is a leader in inventing the future of flight. GE offers competitive salaries and a full range of benefits, including 401K contributions and matching, flexible work arrangements, generous time off, tuition reimbursement, and various health insurance options.

Responsibilities
  • Engage with customers and communicate with stakeholders to plan software functionality based on customer needs and constraints.
  • Design and/or program/develop modules or a large component, feature, set of features, whole feature area or entire embedded software product.
  • Define and formalize system, hardware, software, and human integration requirements.
  • Define and execute engineering test, validation, and verification activities.
  • Follow established software development methodologies and principles and document your tasks and designs.
  • Validate and verify software designs in a diversity of system integration environments – from local desktop computer simulations to fully representative flight tests.
  • Implement protocols and algorithms for resource‑constrained environments and collaborate with the hardware team to enable communication between modules and applications.
  • Ensure software robustness, resilience, and fail‑safe operation for critical devices, and mitigate potential safety and security vulnerabilities.
  • Create detailed design and technical documentation, optimize existing applications, and implement new features.
  • Participate in task prioritization, execution, requirements, specifications, code and design reviews, and mentorship across the software development life cycle.
  • Apply best practices for software engineering and understand the key business drivers and product roadmap.
  • Deliver your work to support project scope, cost, and schedule targets, and interface effectively with all levels of the organization and customers.
  • Propose novel solutions to technical challenges, generate cost and time estimates for future bids and programs, and utilize hardware/software to demonstrate capability against customer expectations.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering or related STEM field.
  • 8+ years of embedded software engineering experience or MS +5 years experience.
  • Proficiency in Ada, C, C++, or equivalent languages.
  • Location: Grand Rapids, MI.
  • This is a fully onsite position requiring attendance five days per week.
  • Comprehensive corporate relocation package is available for eligible candidates.
  • This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a US Government Security Clearance; prerequisite for a security clearance is U.S. Citizenship. Preference will be given to candidates who currently hold US Government Security Clearance.
  • Experience with RTOS (Linux, FreeRTOS, QNX, VxWorks, etc.) and device drivers for complex systems using parallel processing, multi‑threading, distributed processing, multi‑core, SoM, signal processing, board support package (BSP), device driver development, and / or application program interface (API) design.
  • Experience in integrating custom logic blocks into FPGA designs, including interfacing with various peripherals and communication protocols.
  • Knowledge of digital design principles and techniques for implementing custom logic functions.
  • Ability to work closely with hardware engineers to define and implement custom logic requirements.
  • Experience with embedded software testing, debugging, and integration on hardware using debuggers (gdb, lldb, etc.), test equipment (scopes, analyzers, multi‑meters, etc.), and UARTs, JTAGs and oscilloscopes.
  • Experience working in mission‑critical industries (aerospace, automotive, defense, first responder, medical devices, etc.) and turning CONOPS, Specifications or Requirements into software design, code, test plans and execution.
  • Innovative, critical thinking and troubleshooting skills and proficiency with IDEs, version control tools, defect tracking tools and scripting tools.
  • Experience with bare metal software design and optimization for cycles and memory and fundamental facility with compilers, build and source code control tools.
  • Experience with model‑based engineering on Cameo.
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
  • Possess a current US Government Security Clearance.
Desired Qualifications
  • Master's degree in engineering or computer science with extensive experience in C/C++ for embedded software design, development, and testing.
  • Knowledge of scripting languages (Python, Perl, Tcl, etc.) and code management tools (Git, CVS, SVN, Perforce, etc.).
  • Proficiency in Ada language experience.
  • Experience with RTOS (Linux, FreeRTOS, QNX, VxWorks, etc.) and device drivers for complex systems using parallel processing, multi‑threading, distributed processing, multi‑core, SoM, signal processing, board support package (BSP), device driver development, and / or application program interface (API) design.
  • Experience in integrating custom logic blocks into FPGA designs, including interfacing with various peripherals and communication protocols.
  • Knowledge of digital design principles and techniques for implementing custom logic functions.
  • Ability to work closely with hardware engineers to define and implement custom logic requirements.
  • Experience with embedded software testing, debugging, and integration on hardware using debuggers (gdb, lldb, etc.), test equipment (scopes, analyzers, multi‑meters, etc.), and UARTs, JTAGs and oscilloscopes.
  • Experience working in mission‑critical industries (aerospace, automotive, defense, first responder, medical devices, etc.) and turning CONOPS, Specifications or Requirements into software design, code, test plans and execution.
  • Innovative, critical thinking and troubleshooting skills and proficiency with IDEs, version control tools, defect tracking tools and scripting tools.
  • Experience with bare metal software design and optimization for cycles and memory and fundamental facility with compilers, build and source code control tools.
  • Experience with model‑based engineering on Cameo.
Salary & Benefits

The base pay range for this position is $130,000.00–$173,000.00 USD. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on a percentage of your base salary. An extensive corporate relocation package is available for eligible candidates. GE Aerospace offers comprehensive benefits and programs to support health, wellness, retirement, tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time‑off for vacation or illness. Health benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach from GE Aerospace; and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan, a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants.

EEO Statement

GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).

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