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Embedded Microcontroller Engineer Jobs in California

Neon Aerospace

Senior Embedded Platform Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$133K - $174K/yr

You will architect, implement, and maintain firmware across real-time microcontroller platforms ... with embedded systems, motor control, BMS, and vehicle control software engineers to ensure the ...

TetraMem Inc

Embedded Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

... microcontroller-based platforms. • Proficiency in C and C++ for embedded systems. • Strong ... embedded software engineer. • Strong debugging and profiling skills for low-level system ...

Swarm Aero

Embedded Software Engineer, Avionics

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$145K - $200K/yr

We're seeking an experienced Embedded Software Engineer, Avionics to develop and optimize flight ... Strong understanding of microcontroller and microprocessor architectures. * Experience with RTOS ...

Project Canary

Embedded Software Engineer

Hayward, CA · On-site

$170K - $190K/yr

Embedded Software Engineer Department: Aeris Employment Type: Full Time Location: Hayward, CA ... Firmware design and development of microcontroller-based IOT devices * Help create, maintain, and ...

Project Canary

Embedded Software Engineer

Hayward, CA · On-site

$170K - $190K/yr

The Embedded Software Engineer will be working with the Engineering team at Aeris Technologies ... Firmware design and development of microcontroller-based IOT devices * Help create, maintain, and ...

Array Labs

Embedded Software Engineer

Redwood City, CA

$161K - $211K/yr

... Microcontroller). * Excellent teamwork and communication skills * Learns new concepts rapidly ... Experience programming in C or C++ in embedded environments and in Python to support development ...

Project Canary

Embedded Software Engineer

Hayward, CA

$170K - $190K/yr

The Embedded Software Engineer will be working with the Engineering team at Aeris Technologies ... Firmware design and development of microcontroller-based IOT devices * Help create, maintain, and ...

Array Labs

Embedded Software Engineer

Redwood City, CA

$161K - $211K/yr

... Microcontroller). * Excellent teamwork and communication skills * Learns new concepts rapidly ... Experience programming in C or C++ in embedded environments and in Python to support development ...

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Embedded Microcontroller Engineer information

What does an Embedded Microcontroller Engineer do?

An Embedded Microcontroller Engineer designs, develops, and tests systems that use microcontrollers to perform specific functions within larger electronic devices. They write firmware (software that runs directly on hardware), integrate hardware and software components, and troubleshoot issues to ensure reliable operation. These engineers work on products like automotive systems, consumer electronics, medical devices, and industrial machinery. Their role often involves optimizing code for performance and memory constraints, as well as collaborating closely with hardware and software teams.

What are some common challenges an Embedded Microcontroller Engineer faces when integrating hardware and software components?

Embedded Microcontroller Engineers often encounter challenges in synchronizing hardware with software, especially when dealing with timing constraints and resource limitations. Debugging issues can be complex, as problems may arise from either the code or the physical hardware. Additionally, ensuring compatibility between different components and maintaining system stability during updates require strong problem-solving skills and close collaboration with hardware designers and firmware developers.

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

AspectEmbedded Microcontroller EngineerFirmware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Computer Engineering or related; certifications like ARM or embedded systems coursesBachelor's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering; certifications in embedded systems or programming languages
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing microcontroller-based systems, often in hardware labs or development environmentsDeveloping low-level code for devices, often in software development environments
Industry UsageConsumer electronics, automotive, industrial automationConsumer electronics, IoT devices, embedded systems

Both roles involve embedded systems, but Embedded Microcontroller Engineers focus more on hardware integration and microcontroller-specific development, while Firmware Engineers concentrate on writing low-level code to control hardware functions. The roles often overlap, but their primary focus and work environments differ slightly.

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

To thrive as an Embedded Microcontroller Engineer, you need strong proficiency in C/C++ programming, embedded systems design, and a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with development tools such as debuggers, oscilloscopes, version control systems (e.g., Git), and experience with microcontroller families like ARM, PIC, or AVR are typically required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective problem-solving skills help you excel in troubleshooting and optimizing embedded systems. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and functionality of hardware-software integrations in complex electronic products.
What are popular job titles related to Embedded Microcontroller Engineer jobs in California? For Embedded Microcontroller Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Embedded Microcontroller Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Embedded Microcontroller Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Embedded Microcontroller Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Embedded Microcontroller Engineer job openings:
Embedded Microcontroller Engineer jobs near you

Senior Embedded Platform Engineer

Neon Aerospace

Irvine, CA • On-site

$133K - $174K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design, implement, and maintain real-time embedded firmware architecture for safety-critical control platforms.

  • Develop and debug board support packages, drivers, and low-level hardware abstraction layers for microcontroller platforms and peripherals.

  • Support hardware bring-up, board validation, integration, and troubleshooting across software and hardware boundaries.

Job description

Aerospace is at a turning point - costs are rising, supply chains are strained, and old ways of building can't keep up. At Neon Aero, we're breaking that mold. We move fast, think big, and combine start-up agility with aerospace expertise to design, build, and scale aircraft in ways the industry has never seen. Our team leverages automation, AI-driven tools, and a fully connected digital backbone to accelerate innovation and reduce barriers to production.
Here, you won't just take a job - you'll help reinvent how the world flies. If you're ready to solve complex problems, push technology further, and work alongside some of the brightest minds in aerospace, this is your chance to make a real impact.
We're 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
Why This Role Matters
This role provides the real-time firmware foundation that every higher-level control function depends on. Your work ensures that MCUs, peripherals, drivers, communication links, timing, diagnostics, and hardware interfaces behave predictably under all conditions.
This is the expected compensation range for this role. Final compensation will be based on role scope, experience, skills, internal equity and location. This role may also be eligible for bonus/equity/benefits, if applicable.
$150,000-$250,000 USD
Neon Aero, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.
We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
All final candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening as a condition of employment.
At this time, Neon Aero and its divisions are not accepting unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies.

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