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Contract Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in California

Copper

Staff Embedded Systems Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$182K - $210K/yr

Overview As a Staff Embedded Systems Engineer at Copper, you'll help build the firmware that powers our energy-storage-enabled appliances. You'll work across device firmware, connectivity, and cloud ...

Figure

Embedded Systems Integration Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

We're seeking an Embedded Systems Integration Engineer to build the backend infrastructure that ... Collaborate with firmware, software, and hardware teams to define interface contracts and testable ...

Toyon

Software and Embedded Systems Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

... systems, on novel embedded hardware and related software-based interfaces. You will leverage your experience in software engineering for numerous specific tasks at a systems level. As one example ...

Cybercoders

Embedded Engineer II

San Luis Obispo, CA

Embedded Engineer II Embedded Systems Engineer II Location: Paso Robles, onsite Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Embedded Systems Engineer II to design, develop, and validate firmware ...

Pi Square Technologies LLC

System Engineer

Dublin, CA · On-site

We are seeking a Systems Engineer with strong experience in Embedded Development, Systems Engineering, and Controls Engineering to support the development and integration of advanced automotive and ...

STR

Embedded Systems Emulation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $151K/yr

STR is hiring an Embedded Systems Emulation Engineer to join our multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers developing cutting-edge technologies with significant and immediate impact on our ...

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Contract Embedded Systems Engineer information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Embedded Systems Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Embedded Systems Engineer, you generally need a solid background in computer engineering or electrical engineering, with expertise in C/C++ programming, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and hardware-software integration. Familiarity with tools like oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, version control systems (such as Git), and protocols like SPI, I2C, or UART is typically required, along with certifications like Certified Embedded Systems Engineer (CESE) being advantageous. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with diverse teams and clients. These skills and qualifications are essential to deliver reliable, efficient embedded solutions on time while meeting client specifications in a dynamic contract environment.

What are Contract Embedded Systems Engineers?

Contract Embedded Systems Engineers are professionals hired on a temporary or project basis to design, develop, and maintain embedded systems—specialized computing systems that perform dedicated functions within larger mechanical or electrical systems. Unlike permanent employees, contract engineers typically work for a set period or until a specific project is completed, offering flexibility to both engineers and employers. They may work on projects involving hardware and software integration, firmware development, real-time operating systems, and troubleshooting embedded devices. Their skills are often sought in industries like automotive, consumer electronics, medical devices, and industrial automation.

What are some common challenges faced by contract embedded systems engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Contract embedded systems engineers often encounter challenges such as rapidly adapting to new codebases, working within tight project timelines, and ensuring seamless integration with existing hardware and software. Success in this role often requires strong communication with both in-house and external teams to clarify requirements and resolve issues quickly. Proactively documenting your work, asking clarifying questions early, and leveraging version control systems can help manage these challenges and deliver reliable solutions on schedule.

What is the difference between Contract Embedded Systems Engineer vs Contract Firmware Engineer?

AspectContract Embedded Systems EngineerContract Firmware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Computer Engineering, or related; often certifications in embedded systemsBachelor's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering; certifications in embedded or firmware development
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing embedded hardware/software in labs or on-siteDeveloping and debugging firmware primarily in software environments
Employer & Industry UsageElectronics, aerospace, automotive, industrial automationConsumer electronics, IoT devices, robotics, embedded systems

Contract Embedded Systems Engineers focus on designing and integrating hardware and software for embedded systems, often working with both hardware and firmware. Contract Firmware Engineers specialize in developing low-level software that runs directly on embedded hardware. While both roles require embedded systems knowledge, the embedded systems engineer has a broader scope including hardware design, whereas firmware engineers concentrate on software development within embedded environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in California? For Contract Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Contract Embedded Systems Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Contract Embedded Systems Engineer job openings:
Contract Embedded Systems Engineer jobs near you
Staff Embedded Systems Engineer

Staff Embedded Systems Engineer

Copper

Berkeley, CA • On-site

$182K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Overview
As a Staff Embedded Systems Engineer at Copper, you'll help build the firmware that powers our energy-storage-enabled appliances. You'll work across device firmware, connectivity, and cloud data flow to create reliable systems that operate in real homes every day.
You'll take ownership of core embedded architecture, including device communication, fleet management, and scalability. You'll also have opportunities to lead projects spanning appliance performance, battery management, power electronics integration, UI/graphics, and new product development.
This is a hands-on, high-impact role. You'll work closely with a small, cross-functional team and take on ambiguous problems, turning rough ideas into shippable, testable systems. As a senior technical leader, you'll help shape how we build firmware at Copper, raise the technical bar, and mentor other engineers as the team grows.
We value a diverse workplace and are assembling our team to match these values at this early stage. We especially welcome different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives, and strongly encourage people of all ethnic backgrounds and genders to apply.
What you'll do
  • Own major portions of the embedded firmware stack for the Charlie induction range, from early development through production, deployment, and field support.
  • Design, implement, and test new firmware features. This often includes hands-on testing on real appliances, including cooking food.
  • Lead improvements to device connectivity and reliability, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, OTA updates, provisioning flows, and failure detection and recovery mechanisms.
  • Own and evolve systems related to fleet management, telemetry, remote control, and data flow, with a focus on robustness at scale.
  • Support manufacturing and production firmware needs, including flashing stations, provisioning workflows, and end-of-line test systems.
  • Identify gaps in tooling, testing, or processes and help build the infrastructure needed to support a growing fleet and team.
  • Mentor other engineers through design reviews, debugging support, and day-to-day technical collaboration.

What you'll bring
  • 8+ years of hands-on experience developing and supporting embedded systems, with a strong track record of shipping products into production and supporting customer fleets.
  • Deep experience building connected embedded products, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, TCP/IP, and application-layer protocols such as MQTT, HTTPS, CoAP, or similar.
  • Strong understanding of OTA update systems and bootloader design, with experience making updates reliable across real customer fleets.
  • Excellent command of embedded C, with comfort working close to the hardware. C++ experience is a plus.
  • Hands-on experience developing FreeRTOS-based systems, including task design, timing, memory management, and debugging complex runtime behavior.
  • Experience designing and supporting systems that interact with cloud infrastructure, including REST APIs, data pipelines, and fleet telemetry.
  • Proven ability to architect and improve development workflows, such as hardware-in-the-loop testing, software-in-the-loop testing, automated CI, and unit testing.
  • Track record of shipping multiple embedded products from early development through production and long-term fleet support.
  • Strong technical communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across electrical, mechanical, cloud, and product teams to influence system architecture and technical direction.
  • Comfort operating in ambiguity, making sound engineering tradeoffs, and taking ownership of outcomes rather than just implementations.

Location
This is an in-office role that is on site four days per week minimum. Our office is located in Berkeley, CA.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this role is $182,000 - $210,000. We are committed to equitable compensation, and we offer a generous benefits package to make sure you have the support you need. We cover 100% of the premiums for our employees and 50% of the premiums for their dependents on our base plans for medical, dental, and vision insurance. We offer a 401(k) plan for employees to contribute to, in addition to many other benefits. Every employee, regardless of gender identity or expression, is eligible for 16 weeks of paid parental leave after three months of employment (eight weeks through Channing Copper and eight weeks CA Paid Family Leave).
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all our employees and are seeking to build a team that reflects the diversity of the people we hope to serve with our products. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
About Us
Copper's vision is a future where every home is electrified with abundant clean energy. Our mission is to make decarbonization accessible to everyone by selling electric home appliances that enrich their daily lives. We're reducing the cost of electrification by integrating batteries into household appliances, starting with the stove. Our work has been funded by the Department of Energy, in an effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and increase energy resilience with products that are high-performance, safe, intuitive, and robust. As we build our team and pursue our mission, we do it with a strong sense of our core values because it's not just what you do, it's how you do it. You'll see this in high-level decisions, how we run meetings, our day-to-day work, hiring, and our interactions with customers and the broader community. We intend to have a massive impact on our team, our neighborhood, and the world.

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