1

Embedded Software Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Embedded SW Engineer

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$145K - $191K/yr

Join our team as a Senior Embedded Software Engineer! We are looking for a highly motivated, experienced and self-directed Embedded Software Engineer to join our team in developing cutting edge ...

Sr. Embedded SW Engineer

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$145K - $191K/yr

Join our team as a Senior Embedded Software Engineer! We are looking for a highly motivated, experienced and self-directed Embedded Software Engineer to join our team in developing cutting edge ...

As a Embedded Software Engineer, you are responsible for designing and implementing a safe, robust and extensible firmware architecture. Your work constitutes the backbone of the aircraft flight ...

Embedded Software Engineer II

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$132K - $153K/yr

As a Embedded Software Engineer, you are responsible for designing and implementing a safe, robust and extensible firmware architecture. Your work constitutes the backbone of the aircraft flight ...

Embedded Software Engineer II

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$132K - $153K/yr

As a Embedded Software Engineer, you are responsible for designing and implementing a safe, robust and extensible firmware architecture. Your work constitutes the backbone of the aircraft flight ...

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

As part of the Embedded Software Engineering team, you will drive the development and maintenance of the manufacturing test systems used for our eVTOL aircraft. Responsibilities * Design and ...

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

As part of the Embedded Software Engineering team, you will drive the development and maintenance of the manufacturing test systems used for our eVTOL aircraft. Responsibilities * Design and ...

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Palo Alto, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

As part of the Embedded Software Engineering team, you will drive the development and maintenance of the manufacturing test systems used for our eVTOL aircraft. Responsibilities * Design and ...

Sr. Embedded Software Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Identify, document, and track software defects using automated tracking systems; collaborate with embedded developers to analyze root causes and verify fixes. * Develop and maintain automated test ...

Sr. Embedded Software Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Identify, document, and track software defects using automated tracking systems; collaborate with embedded developers to analyze root causes and verify fixes. * Develop and maintain automated test ...

Embedded Engineer/Sr. Engineer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$154K - $202K/yr

Development of system / software in embedded domain * Drive project technically - experience working on all stages of project development lifecycle Must have: * Experience in Embedded Software ...

Embedded Engineer/Sr. Engineer

San Jose, CA

$154K - $202K/yr

Development of system / software in embedded domain * Drive project technically - experience working on all stages of project development lifecycle Must have: * Experience in Embedded Software ...

Showing results 41-60

Embedded Software information

See Santa Cruz, CA salary details

$80.8K

$177.1K

$200.9K

How much do embedded software jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded software in Santa Cruz, CA is $177,106.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $151,800.00 and $199,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is embedded software?

Embedded software is specialized computer software designed to operate hardware or devices that are not traditional computers, such as cars, medical devices, industrial machines, and consumer electronics. Unlike general-purpose software, embedded software is typically optimized for specific tasks and runs on microcontrollers or microprocessors within the device. It often operates with limited resources and must be reliable, efficient, and responsive to real-time events. Embedded software is crucial for the functionality and performance of countless everyday products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an embedded software engineer?

To thrive as an Embedded Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills in C/C++, understanding of embedded systems architecture, and a relevant degree in computer engineering or a related field. Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS), microcontroller development tools, and debugging hardware is typically required. Problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are vital soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure reliable, efficient software development for embedded devices, which is crucial for product performance and safety.

What are some common challenges faced by embedded software engineers when integrating new hardware components into existing systems?

One common challenge Embedded Software Engineers often encounter is ensuring seamless compatibility between new hardware components and existing firmware or operating systems. This can involve troubleshooting timing issues, resolving driver conflicts, and optimizing resource usage within limited memory and processing constraints. Collaboration with hardware engineers is crucial to understand hardware specifications and limitations, and thorough testing is required to validate functionality and maintain system stability. These challenges offer valuable opportunities to develop problem-solving skills and deepen cross-disciplinary technical knowledge.

What is the difference between Embedded Software vs Firmware Developer?

AspectEmbedded SoftwareFirmware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fieldsSimilar credentials, often with specialized knowledge in hardware
Work EnvironmentDevelops software for embedded systems in devices like appliances, automotive, medical devicesCreates low-level code directly interacting with hardware, often in similar environments
Industry UsageUsed across automotive, consumer electronics, industrial automationPrimarily in consumer electronics, IoT devices, and hardware-focused industries
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in embedded systems developmentFocusing on low-level hardware interaction and firmware specifics

Embedded Software and Firmware Developer roles overlap significantly, both requiring knowledge of hardware and programming. Embedded Software typically involves developing higher-level code for embedded systems, while Firmware Developers focus on low-level code that directly interacts with hardware components. Both roles are essential in creating reliable embedded products across various industries.

Is embedded software a good career?

Embedded software engineering is a stable and growing field that involves developing software for hardware devices such as appliances, automotive systems, and medical equipment. It requires skills in programming languages like C and C++, knowledge of hardware interfaces, and often involves working with real-time operating systems. The demand for embedded software professionals is expected to remain strong due to the increasing integration of electronics in various industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Software jobs in Santa Cruz, CA?

The most popular types of Embedded Software jobs in Santa Cruz, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Embedded Software jobs in Santa Cruz, CA?

For Embedded Software jobs in Santa Cruz, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Embedded Software jobs in Santa Cruz, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Embedded Software jobs in Santa Cruz, CA are:

What cities near Santa Cruz, CA are hiring for Embedded Software jobs?

Cities near Santa Cruz, CA with the most Embedded Software job openings:

Infographic showing various Embedded Software job openings in Santa Cruz, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $177,106 per year, or $85.1 per hour.

Senior Embedded Software Engineer (CCU) - (SJ2026JB)

Archer

San Jose, CA โ€ข On-site

$189K - $198K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.
What You'll Do
  • Perform embedded development and verification of safety critical software components for the aircraft Charge Control Unit.
  • Design and implement charge control systems with a focus on interfacing embedded software with high-voltage electrical components and analog/digital circuitry.
  • Collaborate with systems engineers to decompose item requirements into high-level and low-level software requirements in compliance with DO-178C.
  • Work with a multi-disciplinary team to develop, integrate, verify and certify complex hardware/software systems.
  • Develop and implement fault detection and diagnostic algorithms in software to identify and respond to hardware-level events such as short circuits and sensor failures.
  • Analyze hardware schematics and perform signal integrity and power distribution network design to inform embedded software development.
  • Participate in the definition and documentation of streamlined software development and verification processes supporting the certification of safety critical software to comply with DO-178C.

Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering or Electronics.
Minimum Experience Requirement: Embedded Software Engineer, Firmware Engineer or related job title in which 48 months of experience with design and development of safety-critical embedded software using C/C++; working with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or custom schedulers and embedded frameworks; hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and debugging; and utilizing communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, or I2C was gained.
Please apply online at: https://www.archer.com/careers. Must put job code SJ2026JB on resume/CV and cover letter.
At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. For this position we are offering $189,072 to $198,525.60 per year. #LI-DNI
Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.
Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.
Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.