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Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Vienna, VA (NOW HIRING)

Wabtec

Embedded Software Engineer IV

Germantown, MD · On-site

In this role, the Senior Embedded Software Engineer will work with a cross-functional Engineering team to design and develop new functionalities, as well as maintaining and expanding on the existing ...

Wabtec

Embedded Software Engineer IV

Germantown, MD · On-site

$91K - $129K/yr

In this role, the Senior Embedded Software Engineer will work with a cross-functional Engineering team to design and develop new functionalities, as well as maintaining and expanding on the existing ...

Wabtec

Embedded Software Engineer IV

Germantown, MD · On-site

$91K - $129K/yr

In this role, the Senior Embedded Software Engineer will work with a cross-functional Engineering team to design and develop new functionalities, as well as maintaining and expanding on the existing ...

Wabtec

Embedded Software Engineer IV

Germantown, MD · On-site

$91K - $129K/yr

In this role, the Senior Embedded Software Engineer will work with a cross-functional Engineering team to design and develop new functionalities, as well as maintaining and expanding on the existing ...

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All JobsEmbedded Software Engineer JobsEmbedded Software Engineer Jobs in Vienna, VA

Embedded Software Engineer information

See Vienna, VA salary details

$70.3K

$154K

$174.6K

How much do embedded software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded software engineer in Vienna, VA is $153,951.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $132,000.00 and $173,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectEmbedded Software EngineerFirmware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; often requires knowledge of C/C++Similar credentials; strong C/C++ skills, understanding of hardware
Work EnvironmentDevelops software for embedded systems in various industries like automotive, IoT, consumer electronicsFocuses on low-level hardware interaction, often working closely with hardware teams
Industry UsageCommon in automotive, medical devices, consumer electronics, industrial automationPrimarily in consumer electronics, IoT devices, and hardware startups

Embedded Software Engineers design and develop software for embedded systems, focusing on system-level programming. Firmware Engineers write low-level code that directly interacts with hardware components. While both roles require similar skills and work environments, Embedded Software Engineers often work on a broader range of software, whereas Firmware Engineers focus on hardware-specific code. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What Is an Embedded Software Engineer?

Embedded software is installed on devices that operate like personal computers. Examples of embedded software can be found in geographic positioning systems, or GPS devices, smart watches, and calculators. Embedded software engineers perform a range of embedded software engineering functions, including running system software updates and designing software for embedded systems. Embedded software engineers also advise on product development, approve new product designs, and optimize the product lifecycle.

Will AI replace embedded system engineers?

Embedded software engineers design and develop software for embedded systems, and while AI tools can assist with coding and testing, they are unlikely to fully replace the need for human expertise in understanding hardware constraints, system integration, and troubleshooting. AI can enhance productivity but requires skilled engineers to oversee, interpret, and implement solutions effectively.

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

To thrive as an Embedded Software Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science or electrical engineering, strong programming skills in C/C++, and experience with embedded systems design. Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS), microcontroller architectures, debugging tools, and version control systems like Git is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set top engineers apart. These competencies are crucial for building reliable, efficient, and safe embedded solutions that meet industry standards.

What are Embedded Software Engineers?

Embedded Software Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain software that runs on embedded systems—specialized computing devices that are part of larger systems, such as cars, medical devices, industrial machines, and consumer electronics. Their work involves programming in languages like C or C++ to interact closely with hardware components, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and safety. Embedded Software Engineers work closely with hardware engineers to integrate and test software with physical devices, often working within real-time and resource-constrained environments. Their expertise is crucial in developing the 'brains' of many devices we use every day.

What do embedded software engineers do?

Embedded software engineers develop, test, and maintain software that runs on hardware devices such as microcontrollers, sensors, and embedded systems. They write code primarily in C or C++, often using specialized tools and real-time operating systems to ensure efficient and reliable device performance.

How does an Embedded Software Engineer typically collaborate with hardware engineers during product development?

Embedded Software Engineers work closely with hardware engineers throughout the product development lifecycle. Collaboration often involves joint design reviews, debugging sessions, and integration testing to ensure software and hardware function seamlessly together. Effective communication is crucial, as changes in hardware can impact software functionality and vice versa. This cross-disciplinary teamwork helps resolve technical issues quickly and ensures the end product meets performance and reliability standards.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced senior engineers in specialized fields such as software, aerospace, or petroleum engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require advanced skills, certifications, and extensive industry experience.

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

Embedded Software Engineers 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-paying industries such as aerospace or automotive. Achieving this salary often requires advanced certifications, a strong track record, and positions in regions with higher compensation levels. Entry-level or general roles typically offer lower salaries, but senior engineers with expertise in embedded systems can reach or exceed this income level.
More about Embedded Software Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Vienna, VA? The most popular types of Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Vienna, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Vienna, VA? For Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Vienna, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Vienna, VA are hiring for Embedded Software Engineer jobs? Cities near Vienna, VA with the most Embedded Software Engineer job openings:
Embedded Software Engineer jobs near you
Embedded Software Developer

Embedded Software Developer

SG2 Recruiting

Washington, DC

Other

Re-posted 23 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