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Embedded Contractor Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Electrical Engineer

Somerville, MA ยท On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

Strong embedded hardware and software debugging instincts and comfort working with hardware that is partially functional or failing in non-obvious ways * Experience working with vendors, contractors ...

Vice President of Engineering (Boston)

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$195K - $252K/yr

Reports to the CTO. * Lead an organization of 35+ fullโ€‘time leaders, engineers and contractors, spanning Platform, Applications, and Embedded Software, Data Science, and Hardware Engineering.

New

Test Engineer

Reading, MA ยท On-site

$80 - $115K/hr

Experience testing robotics, embedded systems, or autonomous platforms * Proficiency in Python, C ... Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans ...

Experience testing robotics, embedded systems, or autonomous platforms * Proficiency in Python, C ... Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans ...

Showing results 41-60

Embedded Contractor information

What is an embedded contractor?

Embedded contractors are professionals who are hired on a contract basis to work directly within a client's organization, usually as part of an internal team. Unlike external consultants who provide advice from outside, embedded contractors are fully integrated into the company's day-to-day operations, often working on-site and collaborating closely with staff. They typically possess specialized skills required for specific projects or roles, such as software development, engineering, or project management. Embedded contractors can offer flexibility and expertise without the long-term commitment of hiring a full-time employee.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an embedded contractor?

To thrive as an Embedded Contractor, you need a solid background in embedded systems design, programming (typically in C/C++), and hardware/software integration, often backed by an engineering degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with microcontrollers, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and tools like oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and version control systems is essential, along with relevant certifications such as Certified Embedded Systems Engineer (CESE). Strong problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and effective communication skills help contractors quickly integrate with new teams and projects. These skills are crucial for delivering reliable embedded solutions within tight deadlines and diverse environments.

What are common challenges faced by embedded contractors when working with new client teams?

Embedded Contractors often need to quickly adapt to new team dynamics, workflows, and technical environments. One common challenge is understanding the client's existing codebase and aligning with their development standards within a short onboarding period. Additionally, contractors must balance delivering results efficiently with building trust and clear communication among permanent team members. Proactively asking questions and clarifying expectations early on can help ensure a smoother transition and successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Embedded Contractor vs Embedded Engineer?

AspectEmbedded ContractorEmbedded Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires relevant certifications or experience in embedded systemsRequires similar credentials, often with a degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering
Work EnvironmentContract-based, often project-specific, working on-site or remotelyFull-time or contract, working within engineering teams on product development
Industry UsageCommon in tech, manufacturing, and defense sectorsPrimarily in electronics, automotive, and consumer device industries
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for project-based roles or freelance workCompared for full-time engineering roles or specialized development

In summary, Embedded Contractors typically work on a temporary basis, focusing on specific projects, while Embedded Engineers are usually full-time staff involved in ongoing product development. Both roles require similar technical skills and certifications, but differ mainly in employment type and work setting.

What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Embedded Contractor jobs?

Cities near Boston, MA with the most Embedded Contractor job openings:

Infographic showing various Embedded Contractor job openings in Boston, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 76% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Senior Electrical Engineer

AgZen

Somerville, MA โ€ข On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

About AgZen:
AgZen is a fast-growing precision agriculture company headquartered in Somerville, MA, built on MIT research and focused on one problem: making crop spraying more efficient. Our flagship product, RealCoverage, is the world's first system that measures and controls droplet coverage at the leaf level, giving growers real-time visibility into spray performance and cutting chemical and water use by up to 50% without sacrificing yield.
We are a small, technically deep team working at the intersection of fluid mechanics, computer vision, AI, and real agricultural environments. If you want to build technology with measurable impact on how the world grows food, this is the place to do it.
About the Role:As a Senior Electrical Engineer, you will be a key contributor to AgZen's hardware portfolio, owning the design, development, and field performance of the electrical systems that power RealCoverage. This role sits at the intersection of power electronics, embedded hardware, and mechanical actuation in a demanding real-world environment. We are looking for someone who is technically strong, ownership-driven, and energized by the challenge of making hardware work reliably in the field, not just in the lab.
This role is located in Somerville, MA (Boston area) with work required to be in-person.
What You'll Do
  • Engage in electrical system development through all stages (R&D, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, installation, and on field use) by defining requirements, specifying parts, and owning schematic design and layout at the subsystem level
  • Productize concepts and engineering designs - including implementation, manufacturability, vendor qualification, cost management, and translating documents and instructions to contract manufacturers
  • Engineer solutions that enable our systems to integrate seamlessly with a diverse array of commercial sprayers and agricultural machinery, addressing the unique challenges of retrofitting in the field
  • Build in-depth firmware validation tooling and processes to support mass production of AgZen products
  • Collaborate across hardware, software and field operations teams to integrate feedback and rapidly respond to customer needs and business priorities when required
  • Integrate feedback and rapidly respond to customer needs and business priorities when required
  • Engineer fault-tolerant systems with graceful failure recovery
  • Develop clear documentation for architectural decisions, schematics, and physical layouts
  • Work closely with mechanical and product engineers to build enclosures and actuation systems
  • Support critical experiments and real-world testing on agricultural sprayers, helping validate designs and ensure the product performs reliably in operational environments
  • Enhance engineering documentation including design reviews, testing, code, architecture, interfaces, and versioning

What We're Looking For
Required:
  • Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering or a related field
  • 6+ years of experience in electrical design, with a demonstrated track record of delivering/shipping high-volume products and/or working in research, prototyping, or early-stage development environments
  • Proficiency in interpreting and creating electrical schematics, designing physical layouts (e.g., PCBs or panel/plant layouts), and/or performing hardware/system bringโ€‘up and debug at the lab or field level
  • Custom PCB design experience (Ex: on Altium, KiCad, etc.) from schematic entry and board layout through fabrication, assembly, testing, iteration, production and manufacturing
  • Design experience with motors, motor controllers, power supplies, inverters / converters, and power electronics, including battery-powered systems and efficient power delivery at the edge
  • Demonstrated ability to own hardware problems end-to-end, including diagnosing failures in the field and driving fixes through to resolution
  • Familiarity with embedded systems and the firmware constraints that affect electrical design decisions
  • Experience working on products that require high reliability at scale, where field failures have real operational consequences
  • Comfort working on small teams where the scope of ownership is broad and the pace is fast
  • Strong embedded hardware and software debugging instincts and comfort working with hardware that is partially functional or failing in non-obvious ways
  • Experience working with vendors, contractors and managing the working relationship between vendors and full-time employees

Preferred:
  • Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
  • Experience with agricultural, industrial, or other ruggedized hardware designed to operate in harsh environments
  • Experience developing manufacturing tests for high-volume consumer products
  • Ability to architect and implement device drivers across multiple protocols
  • Proficiency in PCB assembly and SMD soldering
  • Harness design and fabrication experience
  • Working knowledge of standard communication buses and protocols (CAN, I2C, SPI, RS485)
  • Embedded hardware and software debugging skills. Familiar with test/debug tools such as JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers and signal generators.
  • Familiarity with ISOBUS networks

What We Offer:
  • The opportunity to make an immediate and visible impact in a fast-growing company
  • Early-employee equity
  • 401(k) with employer matching at 6 months of employment
  • 6 weeks of PTO per calendar year
  • 12 paid holidays
  • Medical, Dental and Vision insurance

The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $160,000 depending on skills and qualifications evaluated on a per candidate basis.