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Embedded Linux Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TRL11, Inc.

Embedded Linux Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$100 - $150K/hr

Based in Irvine, CA, we are seeking highly passionate, skilled and experienced Embedded Software Engineers with expertise in Linux BSP, device driver development, and debugging to join our dynamic ...

OLogic, Inc.

Embedded Linux Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$50 - $60/hr

As an Embedded Linux Software Engineer, you would get to work on software builds, device drivers, and low-level systems architecture using Yocto Linux, CMake, C, C++., and more. In addition, you will ...

SeeScan

Embedded Linux Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$105K - $155K/yr

About this position SeeScan is seeking a Software Engineer with strong experience in embedded Linux development. You will be responsible for a mix of driver, middleware and application development on ...

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All JobsEmbedded Linux Engineer JobsEmbedded Linux Engineer Jobs in California

Embedded Linux Engineer information

See California salary details

$82.9K

$133.1K

$187K

How much do embedded linux engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded linux engineer in California is $133,112.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,600.00 and $158,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Embedded Linux Engineer vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectEmbedded Linux EngineerFirmware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related; Linux certifications beneficialBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related; embedded systems certifications helpful
Work EnvironmentDevelops and maintains Linux-based embedded systems, often in hardware labs or development teamsDesigns low-level firmware for microcontrollers or hardware, typically in hardware or R&D labs
Industry UsageUsed in IoT devices, consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial systemsCommon in consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, and industrial equipment

Embedded Linux Engineers focus on developing and maintaining Linux-based embedded systems, while Firmware Engineers work on low-level firmware for microcontrollers. Both roles require embedded systems knowledge but differ in platform focus and complexity.

What does an Embedded Linux Engineer do?

An Embedded Linux Engineer is responsible for developing, configuring, and maintaining Linux-based operating systems for embedded devices such as routers, IoT gadgets, automotive systems, and industrial controllers. They work on customizing the Linux kernel, developing device drivers, optimizing system performance, and integrating software applications with hardware. Their role often includes troubleshooting system issues, ensuring security, and supporting cross-functional teams in bringing products from concept to production. Strong programming skills in C/C++, understanding of hardware interfaces, and experience with build systems like Yocto or Buildroot are essential for this position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Embedded Linux Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Embedded Linux Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science or electrical engineering, proficiency in C/C++ programming, and experience with Linux kernel and device driver development. Familiarity with tools like Git, Yocto, Buildroot, and debugging systems such as GDB is typically required, along with knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS). Excellent problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and effective communication are critical soft skills for success in this role. These skills and qualifications are essential for developing reliable embedded systems, ensuring robust product performance, and facilitating efficient teamwork in complex projects.

What are some common challenges faced by Embedded Linux Engineers when integrating new hardware components?

Embedded Linux Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring hardware compatibility, developing or modifying device drivers, and optimizing system performance when integrating new hardware components. Debugging hardware-software interactions can be complex due to limited diagnostic tools and varying documentation quality. Additionally, engineers must frequently collaborate with hardware teams to resolve timing or communication issues, making strong cross-functional communication skills essential for success in this role.

What Does an Embedded Linux Engineer Do?

The job duties of an embedded Linux engineer revolve around working to develop software and firmware for various devices and computer systems. In this career, you work on products like smart TVs, navigation devices, networking equipment, medical instruments, industrial systems, mobile phones, and other embedded systems that use Linux. In addition to writing and testing code for Linux-based device development, you may work to fix problems with existing systems that use a Linux platform or integrate new software into existing systems.

More about Embedded Linux Engineer jobs
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What job categories do people searching Embedded Linux Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Embedded Linux Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Embedded Linux Engineer jobs in CA? For Embedded Linux Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Embedded Linux Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Embedded Linux Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $133,112 per year, or $64 per hour.

Software Engineer, Embedded Linux

Chariot Defense

San Bruno, CA • On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

About Us
Chariot Defense is a defense technology company that designs and manufactures a family of power products for the U.S. military and its allies. We believe that credible deterrence of armed conflict and winning if deterrence fails, requires more than just the best drones, sensors, weapons, electronic warfare systems, and command & control capabilities. Those critical components will require sustained electric power in austere and resource-constrained environments. Moreover, military units must be able to turn off the trucks and generators that generate this power to hide and survive. In other words, power generation must be decoupled from power consumption. Chariot Defense's products enable exactly this capability, allowing U.S. and allied militaries to be more lethal and survivable. We hope you will join us on this mission.
About the Role
We're looking for an Embedded Linux Engineer to own that software platform from the ground up, taking a bare, custom-built board and getting Linux to boot and run reliably on it, then keeping that stack maintainable as we ship and update units in the field. You'll be the engineer responsible for embedded platforms are built, deployed, and updated across Amphora and future products. Our team comes from Tesla, Anduril, Apple, Archer, and the U.S. military, and we're already fielded across DoD exercises. This is a high-ownership, hands-on role that sits right at the hardware-software boundary.
Key Responsibilities
  • Board bring-up: Take freshly fabricated carrier boards from freshly assembled to reliably booting - methodically proving out power, memory, and communication interfaces, hands-on with hardware on the bench.
  • Bootloader & kernel configuration: Stand up the bootloader and configure the Linux kernel so it correctly recognizes and drives our specific hardware.
  • Device drivers & device tree: Describe our custom hardware to Linux and integrate the drivers needed to talk to peripherals that aren't found in any standard catalog.
  • Build & deploy with Nix / NixOS: Own our operating system defined as code - producing reproducible, identical images and building safe update and rollback paths for fielded units.
  • Networking & system services: Configure on-device networking and the system services our higher-level software depends on.
  • Reliability & maintainability: Build the platform so it stays robust and serviceable across the product's life, under the conditions a defense product actually faces.
  • Cross-functional integration: Partner closely with the firmware and hardware teams, sitting at the seam between low-level hardware and the software that runs on top of it.
What We're Looking For
  • Top-notch engineering intuition and first principles thinking toward designing complex products that function seamlessly for your customer, taking both an engineering/ technical, and product/ customer approach, to strike the optimal balance.
  • Able to independently identify critical information or priority gaps and apply effort toward closing those gaps.
  • Undaunted by imperfect, incomplete or absent datasets or information, and capable of making sound, comprehensive, and swift first-principled decisions to achieve a product end-state that meets and/or exceeds the need of the hour.
  • Not satisfied by superficial explanations of a problem or "band-aid engineering"; seeks persistently to find the specific root cause through data-driven methods, and resolve failures or recurring issues, so they can be mitigated to prevent future such instances.
  • Gratified by helping your peers succeed, building a robust team culture, and propagation deep camaraderie amongst your peers; seeks to break down information silos by collaborating rigorously with others to solve problems, share knowledge, and provide input.
Qualifications
Required:
  • BS in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or equivalent demonstrated experience.
  • 3+ years building and shipping embedded Linux on custom hardware.
  • Proven board bring-up experience, from powered-off to reliably booting.
  • Hands-on with the boot chain: bootloader, kernel configuration, drivers, and device tree.
  • Fluent in C/C++ and the embedded Linux toolchain (cross-compilation, JTAG, serial debug).
  • Exposure to embedded communication interfaces (CAN, SPI, I2C, UART) at the OS and driver level.
Preferred:
  • Experience with Nix/NixOS.
  • Experience with OS configuration as code, Yocto, Ansible.
  • Production Rust experience.
  • Familiarity with ARM SoCs/SoMs on custom carrier boards.
  • Background in automotive, aerospace, defense, robotics, or energy.
Role Requirements
  • This position is an onsite role based in Chariot Defense's San Bruno, CA, office.
  • Willingness to support 10% travel, domestically and internationally, as well as work extended and weekend hours, when necessary.

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $130,000-$180,000 annually. Compensation packages also include early-stage equity and access to company-sponsored benefit plans.
Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, relevant experience, and the ability to deal with complexity and problem solve within our organization, among other factors.
All employees are required to provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. within their first 3 days of work. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our website or to personal email accounts of employees of Chariot Defense are considered property of Chariot Defense and are not subject to payment of agency fees.

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