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Assembly Language Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior DSP/Firmware Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$126K - $167K/yr

Embedded C & Assembly language programming for real-time embedded systems; control peripherals (inc. ADCs, PWMs, DACs); and 6 yr comm protocols (e.g., SPI, I2C & CAN). Apply at Refer to code SM.

Assembly AOI Operator

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$19 - $24/hr

Inspection of Printing Wiring Assembly * Ability to determine pass/fail criteria on solder joints ... AOI: 2 years (Required) Language: * English (Required) Work Location: In person

Assembly & Test Technician 'C'

South El Monte, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.25/hr

Interpret assembly setup requirements from written procedures and successfully complete assembly ... LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, write, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating ...

Embedded C & Assembly language programming for real-time embedded systems; control peripherals (inc. ADCs, PWMs, DACs); and 6 yr comm protocols (e.g., SPI, I2C & CAN). Equal Opportunity Employer M/F ...

Assembly & Test Technician 'C'

South El Monte, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.25/hr

Interpret assembly setup requirements from written procedures and successfully complete assembly ... LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, write, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating ...

Assembly & Test Technician 'C'

South El Monte, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.25/hr

Interpret assembly setup requirements from written procedures and successfully complete assembly ... LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, write, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating ...

Preferred Qualifications Proven excellence in FW development using C and assembly language with ARM CPUs. Solid understanding of MCUs and ISR. Solid understanding of computer architecture. Experience ...

Showing results 41-60

Assembly Language information

See California salary details

$9

$16

$20

How much do assembly language jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for assembly language in California is $16.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $17.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is assembly language still in demand?

Assembly language is still used in specialized fields such as embedded systems, firmware development, and performance-critical applications. While high-level languages are more common for general software development, expertise in assembly remains valuable for low-level programming, reverse engineering, and hardware interaction roles.

Is assembly language a good career?

Assembly language is a specialized skill used in low-level programming, embedded systems, and hardware development. Careers in this area often require knowledge of computer architecture and can involve working on performance-critical or device-specific software, with job opportunities available in industries such as electronics, aerospace, and defense.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assembly language programmer?

To thrive as an Assembly Language Programmer, you need a solid understanding of computer architecture, low-level programming, and proficiency in assembly syntax, often supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with development tools such as assemblers, debuggers, emulators, and specific hardware platforms is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and persistence are standout soft skills for this meticulous and challenging work. These skills ensure efficient, optimized, and reliable software development at the hardware level, which is crucial for embedded systems and performance-critical applications.

What is the difference between Assembly Language vs Embedded Systems Programmer?

AspectAssembly LanguageEmbedded Systems Programmer
Required CredentialsBasic knowledge of computer architecture, no formal certification requiredKnowledge of programming languages, sometimes certifications in embedded systems or C/C++
Work EnvironmentLow-level programming, hardware interaction, often in labs or manufacturingDeveloping software for embedded devices like IoT, automotive, or appliances
Industry UsageUsed in firmware development, hardware design, and device driversUsed in consumer electronics, automotive, medical devices, and industrial automation

Assembly Language involves low-level programming directly interacting with hardware, while Embedded Systems Programmers develop software for embedded devices, often using higher-level languages like C. Both roles require understanding of hardware, but Embedded Systems Programmers typically work with a broader set of tools and languages to create functional products.

What are common challenges faced by assembly language programmers when working with modern hardware?

Assembly Language programmers often encounter challenges such as adapting to the intricacies of different processor architectures and managing low-level hardware interactions. Modern hardware can introduce complexities like pipelining, multi-core processing, and memory management, which require a deep understanding of architecture-specific instructions and performance optimization techniques. Additionally, debugging and maintaining Assembly code can be more time-consuming compared to high-level languages, emphasizing the need for meticulous attention to detail and thorough documentation. Collaboration with hardware engineers and software developers is often necessary to ensure seamless integration and performance.

What is assembly language?

Assembly language is a low-level programming language that is closely related to machine code. It uses symbolic code and mnemonics to represent machine-level instructions, allowing programmers to write instructions that a computer's CPU can execute directly. Assembly language is specific to a computer architecture and is typically used for tasks that require direct hardware manipulation, high performance, or access to special processor instructions. While it's more challenging to learn and use than high-level languages, it offers greater control over system resources.

What jobs require assembly language?

Jobs that require assembly language include embedded systems programmer, firmware engineer, device driver developer, and low-level software engineer. These roles often involve programming close to hardware, optimizing performance, and working with microcontrollers or specialized processors, requiring knowledge of assembly language and related tools.

What job categories do people searching Assembly Language jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Assembly Language jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Assembly Language jobs?

Cities in California with the most Assembly Language job openings:

Infographic showing various Assembly Language job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,710 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Staff Software Engineer - Platform Debug

Qualcomm

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Qualcomm rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

49th of 244 rated software companies


Job description

Job Summary:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is seeking a skilled Software Platform Debug Engineer to design, develop, and debug low-level software for high-performance server platforms. The role involves working closely with hardware/software boundaries, solving complex system-level issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver robust solutions.
Responsibilities:
• Design, develop, and maintain software to support debug functionality across multiple system layers
• Troubleshoot and resolve highly complex software defects across integrated components
• Analyze system behavior by gathering and correlating information across modules, subsystems, and interfaces
• Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and software teams to identify root causes and deliver effective fixes
• Communicate progress, risks, and mitigation strategies clearly to project leads and stakeholders
• Identify design or implementation gaps and proactively drive solutions
• Contribute technical input and solution strategies during design and debug reviews
• Develop and execute unit and integration tests to ensure stability and functional correctness
• Perform thorough code reviews and provide constructive technical feedback
• Manage priorities, timelines, and deliverables for small‑ to medium‑sized initiatives
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• OR Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 3+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• OR PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 2+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• 2+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
• Experience designing and/or supporting debug capabilities in complex SoCs and high‑performance CPU architectures, including: JTAG debug and tooling, High‑performance trace, System crash analysis.
• Strong understanding of computer architecture, including: High‑performance server designs, Hardware/software interfaces.
• Proficiency in C and assembly language.
• Systems programming experience using Python or similar languages.
• Familiarity with modern build systems and distributed version control workflows.
• Experience developing and debugging: Platform and system software, Firmware and boot software, Debug and diagnostic tools.
Preferred:
• 5+ years of experience building software stacks for high‑performance systems.
• 5+ years of experience in debug software development (tools, firmware, applications).
• Master’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience building and debugging software for high‑performance platforms.
• Experience with ARM debug architectures or frameworks.
Company:
Qualcomm designs wireless technologies and semiconductors that power connectivity, communication, and smart devices. Founded in 1985, the company is headquartered in San Diego, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

What Qualcomm employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About Qualcomm

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. You interact with products and technologies made possible by Qualcomm every day, including 5G-enabled smartphones that double as pro-level cameras and gaming devices, smarter vehicles and cities, and the technology behind the smart, connected factories that manufactured your latest purchase. Our powerful connectivity solutions keep you connected—even in remote areas. Qualcomm 5G and AI innovations are the power behind the connected intelligent edge. You’ll find our technologies behind and inside the innovations that deliver significant value across multiple industries and to billions of people every day.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1985