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Embedded Software Designer Jobs in Washington, DC

Embedded Software Engineer I

Tysons Corner, VA · On-site

$132K - $174K/yr

Embedded Software Engineer I Alarm.com is a rapidly expanding technology company developing ... Experience with designing firmware for video pipeline systems, image signal processing, or ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

$145K - $191K/yr

Perform embedded development, vulnerability analysis, reverse engineering, software development ... Total Compensation Package We offer a comprehensive compensation package designed to support your ...

In this role, the Senior Embedded Software Engineer will work with a cross-functional Engineering ... Create and maintain automated unit test cases for new designs * Investigate and remediate ...

In this role, the Senior Embedded Software Engineer will work with a cross-functional Engineering ... Create and maintain automated unit test cases for new designs * Investigate and remediate ...

In this role, the Senior Embedded Software Engineer will work with a cross-functional Engineering ... Create and maintain automated unit test cases for new designs * Investigate and remediate ...

In this role, the Senior Embedded Software Engineer will work with a cross-functional Engineering ... Create and maintain automated unit test cases for new designs * Investigate and remediate ...

Showing results 41-60

Embedded Software Designer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$86.1K

$144.9K

$213.5K

How much do embedded software designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded software designer in Washington, DC is $144,949.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,400.00 and $172,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Embedded Software Designer vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectEmbedded Software DesignerFirmware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fieldsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentEmbedded systems development, often in hardware labs or software teamsFirmware development for microcontrollers, often in hardware or software teams
Industry UsageConsumer electronics, automotive, medical devices, industrial automationConsumer electronics, IoT devices, automotive, aerospace

Embedded Software Designers focus on creating software that runs on embedded systems, often working closely with hardware. Firmware Engineers develop low-level code that directly interacts with hardware components. While both roles require similar skills and credentials, Embedded Software Designers typically work on higher-level embedded applications, whereas Firmware Engineers focus on low-level firmware development.

Infographic showing various Embedded Software Designer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,949 per year, or $69.7 per hour.

Principal or Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Annapolis, MD • On-site

Northrop Grumman Corporation
Space Research Administration • 10K+ employees

$135K - $203K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 372 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: SCI
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is looking for a Principal or Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer with the desire to learn new technologies and develop software for cutting edge Undersea Payloads. The embedded software engineer will design, develop, integrate, and test software that manages an embedded, undersea payload unit ensuring compliance to established requirements. Selected individuals will work on an agile development team, primarily using C++, Linux and/or Python. This role will support the MSTS Business Unit in Annapolis, MD.
The individual will work through all phases of the software development cycle including design, development, integration, and test. The selected individual will conduct reviews of software-related products, software designs, and additional technical documents.
The responsibilities include active participation in cross-functional scrum teams, design reviews, and other reviews, as required. The selected individual will actively participate in technical, peer-reviews to ensure system/software requirements are being met from an end-to-end system point of view. Individuals must be self-starters and able to efficiently operate in a team environment. Existing engineering and system specialists will be made available to assist with any activities associated with executing primary tasking. However, the selected individuals will be expected to prioritize and make recommendations to Technical Leads, as required, to implement tasking assigned.
This position can be filled at a Principal or Senior Principal level.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Embedded Software Engineer:
Bachelor of Science (B.S) degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or an equivalent STEM related discipline with 5+ years software development experience working on embedded real-time systems or 3+ years with a master's degree, 0 years with a PhD
Experience in developing in C++ and Python
Experience in embedded software development
Experience developing in a Linux and/or Windows environment
Demonstrated experience as a technical lead
Microelectronics programming experience
US Citizen with ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI with poly
Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer:
Bachelor of Science (B.S) degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or an equivalent STEM related discipline with 8+ years of software development experience working on embedded real-time systems or 6+ years with a master's degree or 3+ years with a PhD
Experience in developing in C++ and Python
Experience in embedded software development
Experience developing in a Linux and/or Windows environment
Demonstrated experience as a technical lead
Microelectronics programming experience
US Citizen with ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI with poly
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket)
Experience in embedded C++ optimizations
Experience in JavaScript
Experience in Web GUI development, Qt, CUDA/ArrayFire coding, and Docker/k8s
Hands on hardware integration and testing experience
Ability to debug complex integrated applications or test setup issues
Active TS/SCI
NGFeaturedJobs
Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939