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Embedded System Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Motorola

Embedded Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$48.08 - $67.31/hr

Linux system customization and scripting. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor of Science degree in ... or relevant engineering fields. * 3 years of relevant embedded system software development ...

Toyon

Senior Embedded Systems Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$145K - $235K/yr

Conduct unit testing, integration testing, and system-level testing of embedded software * Participate in technical reviews and collaborate with other engineers to ensure overall system integration

Umbra

Embedded Systems Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

Support system integration and verification across avionics, radios, and other spacecraft ... Strong proficiency in embedded C and/or Rust programming. * Experience working with bare-metal ...

Umbra

Embedded Systems Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

Support system integration and verification across avionics, radios, and other spacecraft ... Strong proficiency in embedded C and/or Rust programming. * Experience working with bare-metal ...

W3Global Inc.

Embedded Firmware Engineer

Rancho Cordova, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer to lead the development of firmware architecture ... You will work at the intersection of embedded systems, energy control, and communications, helping ...

New

FieldAI

Embedded Systems Engineer-Federal

Irvine, CA · On-site

As an Embedded Systems Engineer on the Federal Team at Field AI, you will contribute to the ... What You Will Get To Do 1. Compute System Design * Compute Architecture: Architect and configure ...

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All JobsEmbedded System Developer JobsEmbedded System Developer Jobs in California

Embedded System Developer information

See California salary details

$138.2K

$211.2K

$308.9K

How much do embedded system developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded system developer in California is $211,197.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $154,400.00 and $284,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are embedded system developers?

Embedded system developers are engineers who design, program, and maintain specialized computing systems that are part of larger devices, such as cars, medical equipment, home appliances, and industrial machines. These professionals work with both hardware and software to ensure that the embedded systems are efficient, reliable, and meet specific requirements. Their work often involves programming microcontrollers, integrating sensors and actuators, and optimizing resource-constrained environments. Embedded system developers play a crucial role in creating the technology behind many everyday products.

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

To thrive as an Embedded System Developer, you need a solid background in computer science or electrical engineering, with expertise in C/C++ programming, microcontrollers, and real-time operating systems. Familiarity with hardware debugging tools, integrated development environments (IDEs), and version control systems like Git is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help developers innovate and collaborate in cross-functional teams. These competencies are critical for designing reliable, efficient embedded solutions that power modern devices across industries.

What are some common challenges faced by Embedded System Developers when working on cross-functional teams?

Embedded System Developers often collaborate with hardware engineers, software developers, and product managers. A common challenge is ensuring seamless integration between hardware and software components, as timing and resource constraints can lead to unexpected issues. Clear communication and thorough documentation are crucial for aligning specifications and troubleshooting problems that span both domains. Developers also need to stay adaptable, as project requirements may evolve rapidly based on feedback from other teams or testing results.

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

AspectEmbedded System DeveloperFirmware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Computer Engineering, or related fields; certifications like ARM or IoT certifications are commonBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related; similar certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesigning and developing embedded hardware-software systems, often in manufacturing or IoT industriesWriting low-level firmware for microcontrollers and embedded devices, typically in consumer electronics or automotive sectors
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, automotive, industrial automation, IoT firmsConsumer electronics, automotive, medical devices, and embedded hardware manufacturers

Both roles involve working with embedded hardware and software, often requiring similar educational backgrounds and certifications. However, Embedded System Developers focus on designing entire embedded systems, while Firmware Engineers specialize in writing low-level code that runs directly on microcontrollers. The roles are complementary and often overlap in industry applications.

What are popular job titles related to Embedded System Developer jobs in California? For Embedded System Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Embedded System Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Embedded System Developer jobs in California are:
Embedded System Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Embedded System Developer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $211,197 per year, or $101.5 per hour.
Embedded Software Developer

Embedded Software Developer

Alif Semiconductor

Pleasanton, CA • On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Alif Semiconductor is revolutionizing the way secure connected AI-enabled embedded solutions are created. We are looking for motivated individuals who want to be involved in a fast-paced environment with cutting-edge technology.
As an Embedded Software Developer for the Secure Processing Element, you will be responsible for developing and releasing to production the security firmware and supporting tools for the Secure Enclave in Alif's MCU/MPU products. You will work closely with fellow firmware developers, system architects and senior management in order to define and architect the Secure Enclave (SE) firmware, which consists of both system ROM code and runtime firmware running in the SE's local ram on ARM based cores. In addition, you will work with others on the development of SW tools that are needed for provisioning the security credentials into the device. As a Security Firmware developer, you must be very familiar with embedded system security and cryptography, be able to identify system threats and issues and develop embedded firmware using common cryptographic operations to minimize these system threats. You will also work with Alif marketing and lead customers / partners in order integrate market feedback on the security and configuration requirements. Our products are built around advanced Arm cores and bus architectures with a focus on IoT architecture, low power operation and system security. We expect the candidate to have prior experience in an embedded SW development team and to be familiar with ARM MCU's and MPU's.
Responsibilities
  • Develop a mastery of the security threats for our products and understand the competitive security offerings of our competition
  • Have a deep understanding of our hardware system security functions and security firmware in the system
  • Architect and develop portions of the Secure Enclave Firmware and system provisioning tools.
  • Utilize the quality SW development process in order to complete the deliverables in a timely manor
  • Collaborate with other SE Firmware team members (discussions and review meetings, etc.)

Qualifications
  • Degree in Computer Science or related computer software fields.
  • 5-10+ years prior experience with embedded security firmware / software development
  • Strong knowledge of cryptography functions and embedded security architecture
  • Knowledge and experience with embedded MCU programming (C, C++ and Python)
  • Experience with embedded SW development tools (Git, Jira, CI tools, etc.)
  • Familiar with ARM MCU's / MPU's and embedded systems architecture
  • Ability to balance technical excellence with commercial / business pressures
  • Good communication skills and the ability to work with all levels in an organization
  • Demonstrable experience of on-time delivery of quality architectures

$150,000 - $250,000 a year
The annual salary range for this position will be between $150,000 to $250,000. The actual annual salary paid will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location and market conditions. The expected base pay range for this role may be modified based on market conditions.
Alif Semiconductor provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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