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Contract Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Senior Embedded Platform Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$133K - $174K/yr

This role works closely with embedded systems, motor control, BMS, and vehicle control software engineers to ensure the platform layer is reliable, reusable, and deterministic. Key Responsibilities ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Irvine, CA

$141K - $185K/yr

This is an opportunity to work on all aspects of the system including device drivers, networking ... S. government contracts. * All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$141K - $185K/yr

Embedded Software Engineer Location: Irvine, California (onsite) Duration: Long Term Contract ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams including hardware, systems, and verification engineers

Embedded Software Engineer

Irvine, CA

$141K - $185K/yr

This is an opportunity to work on all aspects of the system including device drivers, networking ... S. government contracts. * All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a ...

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Showing results 1-20

Contract Embedded Systems Engineer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$65.2K

$143.2K

$200.3K

How much do contract embedded systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract embedded systems engineer in Riverside, CA is $143,213.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,300.00 and $170,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 popular job titles related to Contract Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA? For Contract Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Contract Embedded Systems Engineer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Contract Embedded Systems Engineer job openings:
Senior Embedded Platform Engineer

Senior Embedded Platform Engineer

New York Technology Partners

Irvine, CA • On-site

$133K - $174K/yr

Other

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Role Summary

Were seeking a Senior Platform/Real-Time Embedded Firmware Engineer with strong low-level

embedded software expertise and a passion for building robust, deterministic firmware for

safety-critical control systems. This role focuses on the real-time firmware foundation that

enables actuators, motor drives, BMS, sensors, and vehicle-level systems to operate reliably.

You will architect, implement, and maintain firmware across real-time microcontroller platforms,

owning BSPs, drivers, RTOS/bare-metal execution, timing, peripheral interfaces, diagnostics

hooks, and hardware bring-up. This role works closely with embedded systems, motor control,

BMS, and vehicle control software engineers to ensure the platform layer is reliable, reusable,

and deterministic.

Key Responsibilities:

Real-Time Firmware Architecture

Design and maintain real-time firmware architecture for safety-critical embedded control

platforms. Own timing-sensitive firmware layers, interrupt structure, task scheduling, execution

order, and deterministic data flow between hardware, drivers, middleware, and application

software.

Develop firmware frameworks that support reusable control execution, communication,

diagnostics, monitoring, and system integration across multiple projects.

MCU, BSP & Driver Development

Develop and maintain embedded software in C/C++ on real-time microcontroller platforms such

as TI C2000, NXP, or comparable safety-oriented MCUs.

Own board support packages, peripheral initialization, device configuration, and low-level

hardware abstraction layers. Develop and debug drivers for peripherals and interfaces such as

CAN, SPI, Ethernet, ADC, PWM, GPIO, timers, watchdogs, and other MCU peripherals.

Hardware Interfaces & Bring-Up

Support hardware bring-up, board validation, and low-level debugging across software and

hardware boundaries. Diagnose issues involving MCU configuration, clocks, interrupts,

peripherals, sensors, motor drive interfaces, BMS interfaces, and communication links.

Work closely with electrical, controls, and systems teams to ensure the embedded firmware

correctly supports actuator control, power electronics, sensors, and vehicle-level hardware.

Communication & Diagnostics Infrastructure

Implement robust embedded communication infrastructure for protocols such as CAN, CAN derivatives, SPI, Ethernet, ARINC 825, and other aerospace or automotive buses.

Support reliable data exchange, message timing, arbitration, diagnostics, fault detection, and recovery behavior at the firmware/platform level.

Integration, Test & Tooling

Support integration with motor control, BMS, sensors, and vehicle control software. Develop test

hooks, debug interfaces, logging mechanisms, automation support, and data collection tools for

lab validation, HIL testing, and system debugging.

Support SIL/HIL environments where firmware interfaces, drivers, and platform behavior need

to be validated.

Safety, Process & Lifecycle Support

Support safety-critical embedded software development by following disciplined software

development processes. Contribute to requirements, traceability, verification planning,

configuration control, and certification readiness activities aligned with standards such as DO

178C, ARP4754/4761, ISO 26262 concepts, or equivalent safety frameworks.

Required Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience developing embedded firmware for complex real-time systems
  • Strong proficiency in embedded C/C++ and real-time firmware architecture
  • Experience with real-time microcontroller platforms such as TI C2000, NXP, or comparable
  • safety-oriented MCUs
  • Strong understanding of MCU peripherals, interrupts, timers, watchdogs, memory, clocks,
  • ADC, PWM, GPIO, and communication interfaces
  • Hands-on experience with communication protocols such as CAN, CAN derivatives, SPI,
  • Ethernet, or ARINC 825
  • Proven ability to integrate and debug software across hardware, firmware, and system
  • boundaries
  • Experience supporting hardware bring-up, lab validation, and HIL testing
  • Strong analytical skills and low-level debugging ability

Preferred / Bonus Experience

  • Experience with TI C2000, NXP, or similar real-time control microcontrollers
  • Prior work on safety-critical or regulated systems: aerospace, automotive, industrial
  • Exposure to certification-oriented development processes: DO-178C, ARP4754/4761, ISO
  • 26262 concepts
  • Experience developing reusable BSPs, drivers, middleware, and embedded software
  • frameworks
  • Background supporting motor drives, BMS, power electronics, sensors, or vehicle control
  • systems
  • Experience supporting production launch, field issues, and long-term platform maintainability