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Embedded Software Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Prolim Global

Embedded Software developer

Plano, TX · On-site

Title - Software Developer Rockford, Illinois Experience - 7 to 10 years Primary Responsibilities: • The job requires a good knowledge of strong analysis, a thorough understanding of the embedded ...

Detroit Defense

Embedded Software Developer

Troy, MI · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

This Embedded Software Developer will develop and sustain software projects for our Department of Defense customers. This Embedded Software Developer position may allow for some remote flexibility ...

Ricardo Defense

Embedded Software Developer

Troy, MI · On-site

$85K/yr

This Embedded Software Developer will develop and sustain software projects for our Department of Defense customers. This Embedded Software Developer position may allow for some remote flexibility ...

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How much do embedded software developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for embedded software developer in the United States is $61.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49.76 and $69.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, data science, or executive roles can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, certifications, and leadership responsibilities, typically found in senior or executive levels within technology companies. Compensation at this level may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options.

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

To thrive as an Embedded Software Developer, you need a strong understanding of programming languages like C/C++, experience with microcontroller architectures, and typically a degree in computer engineering or a related field. Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS), debugging tools, and version control systems such as Git is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout developers apart. These capabilities ensure robust, efficient, and reliable software development for critical hardware systems.

What does an embedded developer do?

An embedded software developer designs, develops, and tests software for embedded systems such as microcontrollers and hardware devices. They write code in languages like C or C++, often work with hardware specifications, and use tools like debuggers and oscilloscopes to ensure the software functions reliably within hardware constraints.

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

AspectEmbedded Software DeveloperFirmware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; programming skills in C/C++Similar credentials; often requires experience with hardware and low-level programming
Work EnvironmentDevelops software for embedded systems in various industries like automotive, consumer electronicsFocuses on designing and implementing firmware directly on hardware devices
Industry UsageCommonly employed in electronics, automotive, IoT, and consumer device companiesPrimarily used in hardware-centric industries like aerospace, medical devices, and consumer electronics

Both roles require strong programming skills in C/C++ and familiarity with embedded systems. While Embedded Software Developers focus on creating software that runs on embedded devices, Firmware Engineers work closely with hardware to develop low-level code that directly interacts with hardware components. The roles often overlap, but Firmware Engineers typically have a deeper understanding of hardware architecture and low-level programming.

What are some common challenges faced by Embedded Software Developers when integrating software with hardware components?

Embedded Software Developers often encounter challenges related to hardware-software integration, such as debugging timing issues, managing limited memory and processing resources, and ensuring reliable communication between devices. These challenges require strong problem-solving skills and close collaboration with hardware engineers to diagnose and resolve issues efficiently. Additionally, developers must frequently work with low-level programming languages and proprietary hardware interfaces, which can require continuous learning and adaptation.

Will AI replace embedded developers?

Embedded software developers design and implement software for hardware devices, and AI is unlikely to fully replace them due to the need for specialized knowledge of hardware constraints, real-time systems, and safety requirements. Instead, AI tools can assist developers by automating routine tasks and improving efficiency, but human expertise remains essential for complex problem-solving and system integration.

Can I make 200k a year as a software engineer?

Embedded Software Developers can potentially earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills in areas like real-time systems or safety-critical applications, and working in high-cost-of-living regions or for large companies. Achieving this salary often requires advanced knowledge of embedded systems, certifications, and a strong track record of project success. However, salaries vary widely based on location, industry, and individual expertise.

What are Embedded Software Developers?

Embedded Software Developers are engineers who design, develop, and maintain software that operates on specialized hardware systems, such as microcontrollers, IoT devices, automotive systems, and consumer electronics. Their work involves programming in low-level languages like C or C++ to ensure software interacts efficiently with hardware components. They often work closely with hardware engineers to optimize system performance, reliability, and resource usage. Embedded Software Developers must also consider constraints like memory, power consumption, and real-time processing when building robust solutions.
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Embedded Software Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Embedded Software Developer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,367 per year, or $61.7 per hour.

Embedded Software Developer

SG2 Recruiting

Washington, DC • On-site

Other

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

SG2 Recruiting seeks a cleared Embedded Software Developer who will be responsible for supporting the Naval Center for Space Technology (NCST) contract. The NCST is located at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC, and is the leading laboratory for Navy space programs. NCST’s mission is to “preserve and enhance a strong space technology base and provide expert capabilities in the development and acquisition of space systems which support Naval missions.”

For the last 25 years, the NCST has developed, enhanced, and maintained a collection of software used for design, development, test, launch, and mission operations of DoD space assets. This software is constantly being enhanced to provide state-of-the-art solutions to space applications. The core suite of software components is used in all aspects of the spacecraft or component life-cycle.

What You Will Be Doing:

  • Developing, maintaining, and enhancing complex and diverse software systems based upon documented requirements.

  • Providing specific input to the software components of a system design to include hardware/software trade-offs, software reuse, use of COTS/GOTS in place of new development, and requirements analysis and synthesis from system level to individual software components.

  • Designing, implementing, and integrating software applications or performing software engineering tasks.

  • Utilizing software engineering and design methodologies appropriate to the development, integration, and production environment.

  • Ensuring efficient delivery of software engineering capabilities using industry standards and repeatable processes.

  • Mitigating risks, controlling costs and schedule variance, and effectively managing large-scale, integrated software projects.

  • Reviewing and testing software components for adherence to the design requirements and documenting test results.

  • Performing comprehensive testing on computer hardware and software components to evaluate operational and performance compliance of the overall systems.

  • Developing under the real-time constraints of deadlines, task schedules, rates, task priorities, watchdog timers, interrupts, latency, and jitter of soft and hard real-time operating systems.

  • Managing and mitigating interprocess communications leveraging message queues, mutexes, semaphores, blocking and non-blocking operations in multi-threaded software implementations.

  • Designing and developing distributed software systems leveraging multiple software, hardware, and communication technologies.

  • Utilizing standard communications ports and interfaces to facilitate communication between processes, processors, computers, and peripheral systems.

  • Developing hardware and application-specific boot code for establishing baseline services and loading OS and application code into execution memory.

  • Assessing and making recommendations on processor, memory, and single board computer configurations which meet the compatibility, performance, memory, and interface requirements of the system.

  • Applying expertise required to utilize the existing tools adequately sets that include MySQL, NoSQL databases, Lint, Wind River tools, Clang Analyze, Klocwork code analysis tools, JAMA and Atlassian tracking tools, Windows and Linux Operating systems, GNU GCC, LLVM/Clang, C, C++03 and earlier, C++11 and greater (modern C++), Java, Python, CMake, Makefile, shell scripting, GDB, LLDB, PPC/Arm/x86 Assembly compilers and programming languages and Matlab/Simulink, Unreal Engine modeling and simulation tools

What You Will Need (Requirements):

  • Active Top Secret/ SCI Eligible

  • Minimum B.Sc., Aerospace, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or Mathematics

  • Experience with embedded software integration, test, and operations.

  • Experience serving as a lead embedded software designer or architect and overseeing all technical aspects of development.

  • Experience as an embedded software builder and product manager.

  • Experience serving as an embedded software technical expert with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Interfacing

  • Ability to commute daily to the Naval Research Lab location in Washington, DC

Apply