ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

System Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Nvidia

Senior System Software Engineer

Champaign, IL

$122K - $161K/yr

NVIDIA is seeking a Sr. Systems Software Engineer for the Apache Spark Acceleration group. Over the past five years GPU accelerated data processing has moved from proof of concept to production ...

Watchfire

Software Engineer (Embedded Systems)

Danville, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Help create and review system and software requirements. * Help foster good software engineering practices and mentor junior engineers. * Prepare test cases to perform verification and validation of ...

CACI International, Inc.

Software Engineer

Lisle, IL · On-site

Software Engineer Job Category: Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to ... Understanding of network hardware, systems and software application. * Knowledge of Internet ...

Apex Systems

Software Engineer 3

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

$57.75 - $77.75/hr

Job#: 3036509 Software Engineer 3 Location: Rolling Meadows, Illinois (Onsite) Must already hold or ... The position requires applying appropriate standards and procedures throughout the system ...

TriOptus LLC

Software Engineer

Deerfield, IL · On-site

A typical software engineer researches, designs, develops and tests operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications ...

Belcan

Engineer Software 3

Rolling Meadows, IL

$141.30/hr

The Software Engineer designs, develops, operates, and maintains software components and computing systems software to be applied to and integrated with engineering, scientific and manufacturing ...

Lean Synergy Solutions

Software Engineer

Rockford, IL

$80K - $120K/yr

Design, develop, analyze, debug, test, and maintain software applications for industrial machine and computer systems. * Investigate engineering requirements and prepare software design ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSystem Software Engineer JobsSystem Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois

System Software Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$80.4K

$172.2K

$199.6K

How much do system software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for system software engineer in Illinois is $172,214.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $167,600.00 and $198,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, or working in high-paying industries like finance or tech, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

What does a systems engineer do in software?

A systems engineer in software designs, develops, and maintains complex software systems, ensuring they function efficiently and reliably. They often work with system architecture, integration, and troubleshooting, using tools like scripting languages and version control. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of operating systems and networking are essential for this role.

What does a System Software Engineer do?

A System Software Engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains the core software that enables computer hardware and system applications to function. This includes operating systems, device drivers, firmware, and other low-level software that interacts closely with hardware components. Their work ensures that systems run efficiently, securely, and reliably. They often collaborate with hardware engineers and application developers to optimize performance and troubleshoot complex technical issues.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a System Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a System Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills in languages like C, C++, or Rust, a deep understanding of operating systems, and typically a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with low-level debugging tools, version control systems (such as Git), and kernel development environments is essential. Analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for building reliable, high-performance system software that underpins critical applications and infrastructure.

Will AI replace system engineers?

System software engineers design, develop, and maintain complex systems and rely on skills such as programming, troubleshooting, and system analysis. While AI can automate certain tasks like monitoring and routine maintenance, it is unlikely to fully replace system engineers, as their expertise is needed for system design, problem-solving, and adapting to new technologies. AI tools serve as assistants to enhance efficiency rather than replace the role entirely.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those working in high-demand areas like technology or finance, can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills in programming and system design, and working at large tech companies or startups with significant growth potential.

What is the difference between System Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectSystem Software EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; often some experience with systems programmingBachelor's in Computer Science or related field; focus on application development
Work EnvironmentDesigning and maintaining operating systems, firmware, or system-level applicationsCreating user-facing applications, websites, or mobile apps
Industry UsageTech companies, hardware firms, embedded systemsSoftware firms, startups, enterprise applications
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles related to system-level programmingLooking for application or web development roles

System Software Engineers focus on developing and maintaining system-level software like operating systems and firmware, requiring knowledge of hardware and low-level programming. Software Developers typically create applications and user-facing software, emphasizing higher-level programming skills. Both roles often share similar educational backgrounds but differ in their work focus and environment.

What are some common challenges System Software Engineers face when working on large-scale projects?

System Software Engineers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as maintaining system stability while integrating new features, ensuring compatibility across diverse hardware platforms, and optimizing performance under heavy workloads. Coordinating with cross-functional teams, such as hardware engineers and application developers, is essential to address these complexities. Additionally, they must stay updated with evolving technologies and adhere to rigorous testing and debugging practices to prevent system failures.
What are popular job titles related to System Software Engineer jobs in Illinois? For System Software Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching System Software Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for System Software Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to System Software Engineer jobs in IL? For System Software Engineer jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
System Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various System Software Engineer job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $172,214 per year, or $82.8 per hour.
Senior System Software Engineer

Senior System Software Engineer

Nvidia

Champaign, IL

$122K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 215 rated software companies

Job description

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology-and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you'll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work. Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world.

NVIDIA is seeking a Sr. Systems Software Engineer for the Apache Spark Acceleration group. Over the past five years GPU accelerated data processing has moved from proof of concept to production deployments. Many enterprises recognize accelerated computing is vital to handle their large data processing needs. Multi-node GPU deployments will reduce cloud computing costs and lower latency in batch ETL workloads. Apache Spark is the most popular data processing engine in data centers. At NVIDIA, we are developing an open source plugin to accelerate Spark applications on GPUs without any code changes.

What you'll be doing:

  • Enable C++ native execution of Spark operations on CUDA

  • Develop CUDA/C++ libraries to accelerate DataFrames and I/O operations on common file formats such as Parquet, ORC and JSON

  • Collaborate with distributed systems teams to craft solutions to distributed processing problems challenges at large scale

  • Work with open source communities to enhance libraries like RAPIDS, CCCL and UCX through technical discussion and code contributions

  • Provide recommendations and feedback to teams regarding decisions surrounding topics such as infrastructure, continuous integration and testing strategy

  • Build, test and optimize across different platforms

What we need to see:

  • 9+ years of experience in software development

  • 5+ years hands on experience with data platform development

  • BS/MS/PhD in computer science or a related field (or equivalent experience)

  • Proficiency in C++, Java, Scala

  • Experience supporting enterprise customers

  • Familiarity with the open source data platform ecosystem is a plus (Apache Spark, Velox, Presto, Apache Arrow, Apache DataFusion, etc.)

  • Experience using AI tools in software development

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 184,000 USD - 287,500 USD for Level 4, and 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD for Level 5.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until July 14, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

What Nvidia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Nvidia logo

About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993

View All Nvidia Jobs

Apply