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Embedded Controls Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Embedded Controls Engineer will investigate, prototype, develop initial production, ultimately field , maintain and improve the AO hardware and firmware for a Free Space Optical Communications ...

Design and develop embedded firmware for a custom motor control board * Integrate with higher-level software systems for scheduling, telemetry, and remote operations * Instrument the control system ...

Design and develop embedded firmware for a custom motor control board * Integrate with higher-level software systems for scheduling, telemetry, and remote operations * Instrument the control system ...

Senior Controls Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$114.30K - $150.80K/yr

Position Overview The Embedded Controls Engineer will be responsible for implementing vehicle-level and system-level control strategies for our mobile battery energy storage platform, translating ...

Senior Controls Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$114.30K - $150.80K/yr

Position Overview The Embedded Controls Engineer will be responsible for implementing vehicle-level and system-level control strategies for our mobile battery energy storage platform, translating ...

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Embedded Controls Engineer information

See California salary details

$54.3K

$95.3K

$129.3K

How much do embedded controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded controls engineer in California is $95,309.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,400.00 and $106,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Embedded Controls Engineer do?

An Embedded Controls Engineer designs, develops, and implements control systems for embedded devices, typically in automotive, industrial, or consumer electronics applications. They work with microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators to create efficient and reliable systems. Their responsibilities include writing embedded software, troubleshooting hardware-software interactions, and optimizing system performance. They often use programming languages like C/C++ and tools like MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and simulation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Embedded Controls Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Embedded Controls Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, embedded systems programming (typically in C/C++), and control systems theory, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS), microcontrollers, industry-standard software tools (such as MATLAB/Simulink), and relevant certifications like Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) is valuable. Skills such as analytical problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork stand out in this role. These skills are essential for designing, implementing, and optimizing reliable control systems that integrate seamlessly with hardware under real-world constraints.

What are the typical projects and team interactions like for an Embedded Controls Engineer?

Embedded Controls Engineers commonly work on projects involving the design, development, and testing of control algorithms and embedded firmware for products such as vehicles, industrial equipment, or consumer electronics. You will regularly collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including hardware engineers, software developers, and test engineers to ensure integration and functionality. Most roles involve a mix of individual technical work—such as coding and troubleshooting—and group activities, like design reviews and system validation. This collaborative environment not only builds technical acumen but also provides opportunities for professional growth and exposure to complex, real-world engineering challenges.
What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Controls Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Embedded Controls Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Embedded Controls Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Embedded Controls Engineer jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Embedded Controls Engineer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,309 per year, or $45.8 per hour.

Embedded Controls Engineer

Mesh Optical Technologies

Gardena, CA • On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

EMBEDDED CONTROLS ENGINEER
Mesh Optical Technologies was founded on the belief that optical photons will be at the center of advanced technologies in the coming century. Making advanced technology ubiquitous means building at scale, and that's exactly what we're doing at Mesh.
Our products and factory equipment rely on real-time control systems that must be precise, stable, and fast-from thermal regulation and optical alignment loops to motion control and process automation. We are seeking an Embedded Controls Engineer who combines deep embedded programming expertise with strong controls and algorithms knowledge. You will design, implement, and tune the control systems that keep our hardware operating at the edge of its performance envelope.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Design, implement, and tune real-time control loops (PID, state-space, feedforward, adaptive) for thermal management, optical alignment, motion control, and process regulation across product and factory systems
  • Develop embedded firmware in C/C++ for microcontrollers and DSPs, including bare-metal and RTOS-based architectures, with emphasis on deterministic timing and low-latency execution
  • Model and simulate control systems to predict dynamic behavior, assess stability margins, and validate controller designs prior to hardware deployment
  • Implement sensor fusion, filtering (Kalman, complementary), and signal conditioning algorithms to extract clean, actionable signals from noisy real-world measurements
  • Bring up and integrate new sensors, actuators, and motor drives, defining hardware-software interfaces and writing low-level drivers (I²C, SPI, ADC, PWM, encoder interfaces)
  • Develop calibration routines and self-tuning algorithms that enable production-scale deployment of control systems with unit-to-unit variation
  • Instrument control systems for observability-logging, telemetry, and diagnostic interfaces that support real-time monitoring, fault detection, and post-hoc analysis
  • Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, optical, and manufacturing engineering teams to co-design systems where control performance is tightly coupled to hardware design
  • Support production deployment of control systems, including validation, fault handling, and graceful degradation strategies for field-deployed units
  • Contribute to Python-based tooling for system identification, data analysis, simulation, and automated testing of control system performance

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline with coursework in control systems
  • 2+ years of experience designing and implementing real-time control systems on embedded platforms
  • Strong proficiency in C and/or C++ for embedded development, including experience with bare-metal and RTOS environments
  • Solid foundation in classical and modern control theory, including PID tuning, frequency-domain analysis, and stability assessment
  • Experience with sensor integration, actuator interfacing, and low-level peripheral drivers (I²C, SPI, ADC, PWM, encoders)
  • Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for modeling, simulation, data analysis, and test automation
  • Strong debugging skills across hardware and software boundaries, including use of oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and serial debug interfaces
  • Ability to work independently in fast-moving, cross-functional environments
  • Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
  • Experience with advanced control techniques: state-space controllers, LQR/LQG, model predictive control (MPC), adaptive control, or system identification methods
  • Experience with motion control systems, including stepper and servo motor drives, trajectory planning, and encoder feedback
  • Experience with thermal control systems, including multi-zone regulation and transient thermal management
  • Familiarity with optical or photonic systems where control loops manage alignment, power regulation, or wavelength tuning
  • Experience with FPGA-based control implementations or high-speed digital control loops
  • Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and simulation environments
  • Background in robotics, precision mechatronics, or semiconductor equipment
  • Experience deploying control systems at production scale, including calibration, self-test, and fault recovery for high-volume manufactured products
  • Familiarity with version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and collaborative embedded development workflows

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Embedded Controls Engineer: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00/per year
Title and base salary are determined on a case by case basis commensurate with experience and merit.
In addition to base salary, compensation for this role includes:
  • Eligibility for long-term incentives including company stock options and discretionary bonuses awarded for exceptional achievements.
  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance with significant cost covered by the company for yourself and dependents.
  • Paid parental leave and flexible PTO (3 weeks accrued vacation and 10 company holidays per year).
  • 401(k) retirement plan access.
  • Relocation assistance to sunny Los Angeles.