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Embedded Systems Engineer Entry Level Jobs in California

Apple

Embedded ISP Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

Apple's Camera Firmware team is seeking an outstanding firmware engineer to help drive innovative ... Build drivers for advanced image processing pipelines in embedded systems, working with the latest ...

Apple

Embedded ISP Engineer

San Diego, CA

$139K - $258K/yr

Apple's Camera Firmware team is seeking an outstanding firmware engineer to help drive innovative ... Build drivers for advanced image processing pipelines in embedded systems, working with the latest ...

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All JobsEmbedded Systems Engineer Entry Level JobsEmbedded Systems Engineer Entry Level Jobs in California

Embedded Systems Engineer Entry Level information

See California salary details

$61.7K

$135.5K

$189.5K

How much do embedded systems engineer entry level jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded systems engineer entry level in California is $135,476.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,000.00 and $161,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an entry-level Embedded Systems Engineer expect during their first year on the job?

As an entry-level Embedded Systems Engineer, you will typically work on tasks such as writing and debugging firmware, assisting with hardware integration, and running tests on embedded devices. You may also help with documentation, participate in code reviews, and support senior engineers with troubleshooting and prototyping. Most teams operate in a collaborative environment, so you can expect to interact closely with software, hardware, and QA engineers, which is a great opportunity to build your technical skills and learn industry best practices. Over time, you'll likely be given more independent project work and opportunities to contribute to design discussions as you gain experience.

What does an Embedded Systems Engineer Entry Level do?

An Embedded Systems Engineer at the entry level is responsible for assisting in the design, development, and testing of embedded systems, which are specialized computing systems that perform dedicated functions within larger devices. Typical tasks include writing and debugging software for microcontrollers or processors, working with hardware components, and collaborating with senior engineers to implement and optimize system performance. Entry-level engineers often help with troubleshooting, documentation, and learning industry-standard tools and protocols. This role is common in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, medical devices, and telecommunications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry-Level Embedded Systems Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry-Level Embedded Systems Engineer, you need a solid understanding of C/C++ programming, microcontroller architectures, and basic electronics, usually backed by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as oscilloscopes, debuggers, integrated development environments (IDEs) like Keil or Eclipse, and version control systems like Git is typical. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork help you excel in this collaborative and detail-oriented environment. These competencies are crucial for developing reliable embedded solutions that meet technical requirements and project deadlines.

What Does an Entry-Level Embedded Systems Engineer Do?

As an entry-level embedded systems engineer, you carry out your duties under the supervision of an experienced embedded systems engineer to learn the necessary responsibilities and skills for the job. Entry-level embedded systems jobs include tasks that focus on hardware and software design and the components that go along with them. You design, troubleshoot, and test hardware and software, electronic circuits, mechanical equipment and machines, and other systems related to computers and computer equipment. Entry-level embedded systems engineer roles are usually for recent or soon-to-be graduates of a bachelor’s degree program in computer science, computer engineering, or a similar field.

More about Embedded Systems Engineer Entry Level jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in California are:
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Embedded Systems Engineer Entry Level jobs near you
Principal Embedded System Automation Engineer

Principal Embedded System Automation Engineer

CesiumAstro

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$148K - $199K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.
We are seeking a Principal DevOps Engineer I for Embedded Software to own and scale the infrastructure that supports our mission critical software development across multiple programs and product lines. In this role, you will advance infrastructure that generates software images, deploys them onto hardware, ensures continuous integration/continuous development, organizes and optimizes Yocto embedded builds, and maintain high-performance, Linux-based build environments. The ideal candidate understands embedded software stacks and the modern tools that accelerate their development.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Ideally deep experience with OpenEmbedded and the Yocto Project.
  • Understanding of make and cmake.
  • Understanding of build flows from compilation to image generation.
  • Facility with GitLab CI/CD pipelines and GitLab Runners that build, test, and deploy embedded software for harware for test.
  • Ensure CI systems integrate with hardware-in-the-loop test environments for regression and validation.
  • Deep facility with yaml-based CI configuration.
  • Facility with Docker virtual build environments and containerization.
  • Administer and maintain high-performance Linux build machines used for continuous integration, regression testing, and software release packaging.
  • Monitor system performance, scale compute resources, and maintain uptime for development teams.
  • Support and automate the software release process for production releases to customers.
  • Manage build artifacts, versioning, and delivery.
  • Act as the first line of support for developers encountering build, test, or environment issues.
  • Collaborate with software teams to improve developer productivity.
  • Assist in maintenance and utilization of company could-based AI productivity environment

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
  • Minimum of 9 years of relevant experience.
  • Proven facility with CI/CD tools (e.g., GitLab CI, Jenkins, or similar).
  • Proficiency in Linux system administration, including performance tuning and troubleshooting.
  • Familiarity with Yocto or other embedded Linux build frameworks.
  • Experience with build automation tools (CMake, Make, BitBake, etc.).
  • Strong scripting skills (Python, Bash, or similar).
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively with developers.
  • Knowledge of networking and distributed systems.
  • Experience with containerization (Docker, Podman) and virtualization (KVM, VMWare).
  • Knowledge of networking and distributed systems.
  • Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
  • Experience supporting release processes in aerospace, defense, or other regulated industries.

$148,500 - $199,000 a year
CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
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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