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Embedded Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

Embedded Firmware Engineer

Bristol, RI · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

The Role We are looking for a talented and motivated Embedded Firmware Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain the bare-metal and RTOS firmware that ...

Embedded Firmware Engineer The Embedded Firmware Engineer will design, develop, and maintain embedded C firmware for microcontroller-based fire detection and suppression controllers. This role ...

HavocAI is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to lead hardware/software development of embedded systems for our fleets of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). This role will be pivotal in advancing ...

In addition to bench testing, you may flex into PCB design or embedded firmware development during ... Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or ...

This Embedded Software Engineer role focuses on designing and developing high-quality software for medical devices used in laboratory, hospital, and remote environments. You will work across the full ...

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Embedded Engineer information

See Rhode Island salary details

$68.6K

$150.2K

$170.4K

How much do embedded engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded engineer in Rhode Island is $150,210.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $128,800.00 and $169,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the salary of an embedded engineer?

The salary of an embedded engineer varies based on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually. Entry-level positions may start around $60,000, while experienced engineers with specialized skills in C/C++ and real-time operating systems can earn higher salaries.

What is the difference between Embedded Engineer vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectEmbedded EngineerFirmware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Computer Engineering, or related fields; certifications like ARM or IoT certifications are commonBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related; often similar certifications in embedded systems or firmware development
Work EnvironmentDesigning and developing hardware-software integrated systems, often in industrial, automotive, or consumer electronicsWriting, testing, and debugging low-level code that runs directly on hardware devices like microcontrollers or embedded processors
Employer & Industry UsageElectronics manufacturers, automotive, aerospace, IoT companiesConsumer electronics, IoT devices, medical devices, automotive systems

Embedded Engineers and Firmware Engineers often work closely, but Embedded Engineers focus on both hardware and software integration, while Firmware Engineers specialize in low-level code development that runs directly on hardware. Both roles require similar skills and certifications, but their primary focus and work environment differ slightly.

What does an embedded engineer do?

An embedded engineer designs, develops, and tests software and hardware for embedded systems, which are specialized computing devices within larger machines or products. They work with microcontrollers, real-time operating systems, and programming languages like C or C++, often collaborating with hardware teams to ensure system functionality and reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an embedded engineer?

To thrive as an Embedded Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science or electrical engineering, with strong skills in C/C++, microcontroller programming, and embedded systems design. Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS), hardware debugging tools, and version control systems like Git is typically required, and certifications such as Certified Embedded Systems Engineer (CESE) can be beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this field. These competencies are crucial for developing reliable, efficient embedded solutions that integrate seamlessly with hardware and meet user requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by embedded engineers when working on cross-functional teams?

Embedded Engineers often collaborate closely with hardware designers, software developers, and test engineers, which can present challenges related to communication and integration. Aligning the firmware with hardware specifications, managing resource constraints, and ensuring timely debugging across different platforms are frequent hurdles. To succeed, Embedded Engineers need strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset to bridge gaps between disciplines and deliver cohesive, reliable systems.
What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Engineer jobs in Rhode Island? The most popular types of Embedded Engineer jobs in Rhode Island are:
What are popular job titles related to Embedded Engineer jobs in Rhode Island? For Embedded Engineer jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Embedded Engineer jobs in Rhode Island look for? The top searched job categories for Embedded Engineer jobs in Rhode Island are:
Infographic showing various Embedded Engineer job openings in Rhode Island as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $150,210 per year, or $72.2 per hour.

Embedded Firmware Engineer

Vatn Systems

Bristol, RI • On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

About Vatn Systems
Vatn Systems is an innovative startup at the forefront of designing and manufacturing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Our mission is to revolutionize underwater security, exploration, research, and operations through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled engineering. Our AUVs are defining the next generation of underwater autonomy.
The Role
We are looking for a talented and motivated Embedded Firmware Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain the bare-metal and RTOS firmware that runs our AUVs on embedded microcontrollers. You'll write C and C++ close to the metal, bring up new hardware, and own the low-level software that keeps our vehicles running reliably in demanding maritime conditions. The ideal candidate is a proactive engineer who enjoys working close to the metal and thrives at the hardware/software boundary.
What You'll Do
  • Design, build, and maintain efficient, reliable firmware in C and C++ for embedded microcontrollers (bare-metal and RTOS)
  • Bring up new hardware: board bring-up, bootloaders, device drivers, and board support packages
  • Implement and debug communication between subsystems over interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, and Ethernet
  • Integrate sensors, actuators, and peripherals, and implement real-time control and telemetry paths
  • Optimize firmware for performance, memory footprint, and power
  • Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and autonomy engineers to translate system requirements into robust embedded solutions
  • Write and maintain unit and integration tests, and support hardware-in-the-loop testing
  • Participate in code reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback to improve our engineering practices
  • Troubleshoot, debug, and upgrade existing firmware, including on-vehicle and field debugging

What You'll Need
Required Qualifications:
  • Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field
  • 3-5 years of professional embedded software/firmware development experience
  • Strong proficiency in C and C++ for embedded microcontrollers (bare-metal and/or RTOS)
  • Hands-on experience developing firmware for STM32 microcontrollers (e.g., STM32CubeMX/HAL, LL drivers, or bare-metal register-level programming)
  • Solid understanding of hardware/software integration: reading schematics and datasheets, and debugging with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD
  • Experience with embedded communication protocols (e.g., UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet)
  • Familiarity with real-time constraints, interrupts, DMA, and low-level memory management
  • Experience writing firmware for power-constrained and/or resource-limited systems (battery power budgets, tight memory/timing footprints)
  • Proficiency with version control systems, specifically Git
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment
  • United States Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Ability to gain a security clearance

Nice-to-Haves:
  • Experience with cross-compilation, build systems (e.g., CMake, Make), and toolchains for embedded targets
  • Experience with the Rust programming language
  • Experience with the Nix ecosystem (Nix/NixOS, reproducible builds)
  • Experience with digital signal processing (e.g., filtering, FFTs, sensor data conditioning)
  • Experience with serialization protocols like Protobufs, DDS, etc.
  • Familiarity with robotics middleware or modern robotics frameworks (e.g., ROS 2)
  • Experience with CI/CD pipelines for embedded software and automated hardware testing
  • Experience with maritime sensors, underwater acoustics, or subsea systems
  • Familiarity with functional safety or safety-critical software development practices

Vatn is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially having you join our team in shaping the future of autonomous underwater vehicles.