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Embedded System Consultant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Systems Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes - 10% of the time Minimum Clearance ... Provide engineering consultation to current satellite operations assisting with vehicle anomaly or ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

This position is for a Satellite Systems Software Engineer for a large, multi-year contract ... Provide engineering consultation to current satellite operations assisting with vehicle anomaly or ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Systems Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes - 10% of the time Minimum Clearance ... Provide engineering consultation to current satellite operations assisting with vehicle anomaly or ...

Senior Principal Reverse Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$144K - $199K/yr

... consultation on edge device security and vulnerabilities -Support forensic investigations in environments lacking EDR visibility -Analyze proprietary communication protocols and embedded systems ...

Electrical Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Conduct forensic analysis of compromised network‑edge devices and embedded systems * Perform ... Provide reach‑back support and technical consultation to analysts Required Skills * Must have an ...

SME Hardware Reverse Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$142K - $187K/yr

... consultation on edge device security and vulnerabilities * Support forensic investigations in environments lacking EDR visibility * Analyze proprietary communication protocols and embedded systems ...

... consultation on edge device security and vulnerabilities * Support forensic investigations in environments lacking EDR visibility * Analyze proprietary communication protocols and embedded systems ...

... and systems where threat actors have embedded malware deeply within hardware components. This ... expert consultation on edge device security and vulnerabilities  - Support forensic ...

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Showing results 1-20

Embedded System Consultant information

See Reston, VA salary details

$65K

$142.8K

$199.7K

How much do embedded system consultant jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded system consultant in Reston, VA is $142,813.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,000.00 and $170,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an embedded system consultant?

Embedded System Consultants are professionals who specialize in designing, developing, and optimizing embedded systems—computing devices integrated into larger mechanical or electrical systems. They provide expert advice and technical solutions for hardware and software integration, real-time operating systems, and device firmware. Their role often involves evaluating requirements, troubleshooting performance issues, and ensuring the reliability and efficiency of embedded technologies in products such as automotive systems, medical devices, and consumer electronics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an embedded system consultant?

To thrive as an Embedded System Consultant, you need a solid background in embedded software and hardware design, programming languages like C/C++, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS), microcontroller architectures, and tools such as oscilloscopes and debuggers is also essential, along with certifications like Certified Embedded Systems Engineer (CESE) being advantageous. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication skills help you effectively address client needs and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for delivering reliable, innovative solutions tailored to complex embedded systems challenges.

What are some common challenges faced by embedded system consultants when integrating new hardware with existing software platforms?

Embedded System Consultants often encounter challenges when integrating new hardware, such as ensuring compatibility with legacy software, managing resource constraints (like memory and processing power), and addressing timing or real-time requirements. Troubleshooting can be complex due to limited visibility into low-level operations, and consultants must often collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including hardware engineers and software developers, to resolve integration issues efficiently. Staying updated on the latest protocols and tools is essential to navigate these challenges and deliver robust, scalable solutions.

What is the difference between Embedded System Consultant vs Embedded Software Engineer?

AspectEmbedded System ConsultantEmbedded Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science; certifications like ARM, RTOSBachelor's or higher in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering; certifications vary
Work EnvironmentConsulting firms, client sites, project-basedR&D departments, product development teams, tech companies
Industry UsageUsed across multiple industries for advising on embedded solutionsPrimarily involved in developing embedded software for products
Job FocusDesigning, advising, and integrating embedded systemsWriting, testing, and maintaining embedded software

The Embedded System Consultant typically provides expert advice and integration services across various projects and industries, focusing on system design and optimization. In contrast, the Embedded Software Engineer primarily develops and tests embedded software within a specific product or company. Both roles require technical skills in embedded systems, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

Infographic showing various Embedded System Consultant job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,813 per year, or $68.7 per hour.

Embedded System Software Engineer

Alexandria, VA • On-site

Mpr Associates, Inc.
Specialized Design Services • 201 - 500 employees

$140K - $185K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Design and implement firmware and low-level software for connected embedded platforms and microcontrollers.

  • Develop time-critical software that interfaces with hardware components and sensors.

  • Work closely with hardware teams to ensure seamless integration between software and physical systems.


Job description

Overview

MPR Associates, Inc. (MPR), a thriving multi-discipline, specialty engineering services and consulting firm, is actively seeking a capable and motivated Embedded System Software Engineer to join our team. If you are seeking a unique, challenging, and rewarding career opportunity, MPR may be the right company for you.

Founded in 1964, MPR has a wide and growing client base in the fields of power and energy, federal services, and health and life sciences, in the United States as well as internationally. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, we also have offices in East Lyme, Connecticut, Burlington, Massachusetts, and Salt Lake City, Utah. MPR makes challenging projects successful, delivering safe and reliable technical solutions across the entire project or product life-cycle to benefit our clients and society as a whole. We hire the best and brightest, which results in a high-performance culture built on trust and respect, making MPR an exceptional place to work.

General Job Description

Join our engineering team as an Embedded System Software Engineer where you'll develop connected embedded systems and firmware that bridge the gap between hardware and software. We're looking for someone who thrives at the intersection of low-level programming, embedded control systems, and hardware-software integration, creating reliable systems that operate in demanding real-world environments.

We specifically seek engineers who bring an engineering mindset to software development - those who approach problems with the systematic, analytical thinking that comes from engineering training. As part of our team, you'll architect and develop embedded applications and firmware, working with embedded control systems and hardware interfaces while being willing to stretch into application development to support the full suite of software for device implementations.

Duties/Responsibilities
  • Embedded Systems Development: Design and implement firmware and low-level software for connected embedded platforms and microcontrollers.
  • Embedded Control Systems: Develop time-critical software that interfaces with hardware components and sensors.
  • Hardware- Software Integration: Work closely with hardware teams to ensure seamless integration between software and physical systems.
  • Application Development Support: Extend beyond embedded work to support higher-level applications that interface with you embedded systems.
  • Performance Optimization: Ensure embedded performance requirement are met while optimizing for memory and processing constraints.
  • Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with the remainder of the engineering team to implement a solution which fits all needs of the client.
Qualifications
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in an Engineering Discipline.
Experience
  • Two (2) or more years of software engineering experience.
  • Experience building production embedded systems or firmware.
  • Understanding of embedded operating systems and bare-metal programming
  • Comfortable working with hardware and debugging tools.
  • Strong problem-solving skills for performance and memory optimization challenges.
  • Proficiency in C for embedded development preferred.
  • Experience with microcontrollers, firmware development, and low-level programming preferred.
  • Understanding of embedded constraints, timing requirements, and deterministic behavior preferred.
  • Familiarity with hardware interfaces, protocols, and sensor integration preferred.
  • Experience with hardware bring-up, schematic reading, and familiarity with design tools like Altium or similar PCB/schematic software preferred.
  • Experience with SPI, I2C, UART or similar protocols preferred.
  • Willingness to work on high-level software that interfaces with embedded systems preferred.
  • Experience or willingness to learn PCB design via Altium preferred.
Skills
  • The ability to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies while multitasking.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across functional teams.
  • Exceptional time and project management skills.
  • Ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
  • Persistent, questioning attitude and ability to accept that in others.
  • Motivated to expand skills and knowledge, as well as tackle new problem and take on new responsibilities.
  • Ability to participate in multiple projects and project teams concurrently.

MPR Associates, Inc. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, who participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other classification as required by applicable laws.  MPR is a certified Virginia Values Veterans (V3) employer.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME