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Embedded System Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This role requires deep expertise in hardware design, system engineering, and avionics standards compliance, with a strong focus on embedded systems and networked avionics interfaces. Key ...

Embedded System Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$92K - $141K/yr

Design, develop, and optimize embedded software components in C/C++ , with a focus on bootloaders and system bring-up. Work on Linux kernel internals , analyze and modify kernel boot sequences, and ...

Define, optimize, and test RF system designs for BLE & WiFi. * Define, optimize, and test ... Experience in embedded system design * Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C/C++ programming and ...

This role requires deep expertise in hardware design, system engineering, and avionics standards compliance, with a strong focus on embedded systems and networked avionics interfaces. Key ...

Embedded Firmware Engineer

Englewood, CO

$101.70K - $139.20K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled Embedded Firmware Engineer to design, develop, and optimize low-level software for advanced embedded systems. This role involves working across the full firmware stack ...

Embedded Firmware Engineer

Alpharetta, GA

$97.90K - $134K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled Embedded Firmware Engineer to design, develop, and optimize low-level software for advanced embedded systems. This role involves working across the full firmware stack ...

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Embedded System Design information

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$29.5K

$103.4K

$167K

How much do embedded system design jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded system design in the United States is $103,353.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,500.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Embedded System Designer, you need a solid background in electronics, computer engineering, and programming languages such as C/C++ or Assembly, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with microcontrollers, real-time operating systems (RTOS), hardware description languages, and debugging tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork make someone stand out in this position. These competencies ensure the successful development, optimization, and deployment of reliable embedded solutions in diverse industries.

What are some common challenges faced by embedded system designers when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Embedded system designers often work closely with hardware engineers, software developers, and product managers. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication across disciplines, as each team may have different technical backgrounds and priorities. Balancing hardware constraints with software requirements and aligning on project timelines can require frequent coordination. Proactively sharing updates and establishing clear documentation practices can help mitigate these challenges and ensure smooth collaboration.

What is embedded system design?

Embedded system design refers to the process of creating specialized computing systems that perform dedicated functions within larger mechanical or electrical systems. These systems are typically built using microcontrollers or microprocessors and are optimized for specific tasks, such as controlling appliances, vehicles, or industrial machines. Embedded system design involves both hardware and software development, ensuring the system meets requirements for performance, reliability, and efficiency. This field is crucial in industries like automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, and telecommunications, where devices need to operate autonomously and often in real-time.

What is the difference between Embedded System Design vs Firmware Development?

AspectEmbedded System DesignFirmware Development
CredentialsElectrical/Computer Engineering degrees, certifications in embedded systemsComputer Science or Electrical Engineering degrees, certifications in embedded programming
Work EnvironmentHardware and software integration, system architectureWriting, testing, and debugging low-level code
Industry UsageConsumer electronics, automotive, industrial machinesEmbedded devices, IoT gadgets, medical devices

Embedded System Design involves creating the overall hardware and software architecture of embedded systems, focusing on system integration and hardware-software interaction. Firmware Development concentrates on writing and optimizing low-level code that runs directly on hardware. While both roles require similar technical skills and often overlap, Embedded System Design emphasizes system-level planning, whereas Firmware Development focuses on coding and firmware optimization.

More about Embedded System Design jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded System Design jobs? The most popular types of Embedded System Design jobs are:
What states have the most Embedded System Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Embedded System Design jobs include:
Infographic showing various Embedded System Design job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,353 per year, or $49.7 per hour.
Embedded System Software Engineer

Embedded System Software Engineer

MPR Services

Alexandria, VA

$140.40K - $184.70K/yr

Other

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Embedded System Software Engineer

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.

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 your embedded systems.
  • Performance Optimization: Ensure embedded performance requirements 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 problems 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.