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Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in Oakland, CA (NOW HIRING)

Trackonomy

Embedded Systems Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K/yr

We are looking for an Embedded Systems Engineer to build full-stack hardware/firmware systems for customers delivering intelligent, automated technology solutions. You will oversee system integration ...

Trackonomy

Embedded Systems Engineer

San Jose, CA

$120K/yr

We are looking for an Embedded Systems Engineer to build full-stack hardware/firmware systems for customers delivering intelligent, automated technology solutions. You will oversee system integration ...

Copper

Staff Embedded Systems Engineer

Berkeley, CA · Hybrid

$182K - $210K/yr

Overview As a Staff Embedded Systems Engineer at Copper, you'll help build the firmware that powers our energy-storage-enabled appliances. You'll work across device firmware, connectivity, and cloud ...

Copper

Staff Embedded Systems Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$182K - $210K/yr

Overview As a Staff Embedded Systems Engineer at Copper, you'll help build the firmware that powers our energy-storage-enabled appliances. You'll work across device firmware, connectivity, and cloud ...

Ayr Energy

Sr. Embedded Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$150K - $220K/yr

About the role As a senior embedded systems engineer, you will bring automotive-grade embedded engineering discipline to a greenfield product environment, owning firmware from architecture through ...

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All JobsEmbedded Systems Engineer JobsEmbedded Systems Engineer Jobs in Oakland, CA

Embedded Systems Engineer information

See Oakland, CA salary details

$71.8K

$157.7K

$220.5K

How much do embedded systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded systems engineer in Oakland, CA is $157,655.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $128,100.00 and $187,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an embedded systems engineer?

Embedded Systems Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain embedded systems—specialized computing systems that perform dedicated functions within larger mechanical or electrical systems. These engineers work with both hardware and software, often programming microcontrollers or microprocessors to control devices like automobiles, medical equipment, consumer electronics, and industrial machines. Their expertise ensures devices are efficient, reliable, and optimized for specific tasks, making embedded systems a crucial part of modern technology.

What does an embedded systems engineer do?

An embedded systems engineer creates the software to control electronics or machines that are different from regular computers. This software needs to run on the specific hardware it controls. Their duties also include troubleshooting and testing. Essential skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. Work is typically in an office environment with full-time business hours. Educational qualifications include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in embedded systems engineering or a related field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an embedded systems engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Embedded Systems Engineer, you need strong proficiency in C/C++ programming, embedded hardware knowledge, and a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS), microcontroller development platforms, and debugging tools like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers is typically required. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are critical soft skills for success in this role. These skills and qualities are essential to design reliable embedded solutions that meet strict performance, safety, and efficiency requirements.

What are some common challenges an embedded systems engineer faces when integrating hardware and software components?

Embedded Systems Engineers often encounter challenges when ensuring that hardware and software components work seamlessly together. These can include dealing with limited memory and processing power, timing constraints, and real-time performance requirements. Troubleshooting issues that arise from hardware-software interactions—such as driver compatibility, signal integrity, or power management—requires strong problem-solving skills and close collaboration with hardware designers and software developers. Engineers must frequently debug at both the hardware and code level, making attention to detail and cross-disciplinary communication essential in this role.

What is the difference between Embedded Systems Engineer vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectEmbedded Systems EngineerFirmware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; certifications like Certified Embedded Systems EngineerBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering; certifications like Certified Firmware Engineer
Work EnvironmentDesigning and developing embedded hardware/software for devices like automotive, medical, consumer electronicsWriting low-level code to optimize firmware for microcontrollers and embedded devices
Industry UsageUsed across automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, industrial automationPrimarily in consumer electronics, IoT devices, and embedded hardware products

Both roles focus on embedded development but differ in scope. Embedded Systems Engineers work on both hardware and software integration, while Firmware Engineers specialize in writing low-level code for device firmware. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

Are embedded systems engineers in demand?

Embedded systems engineers are in high demand due to the growth of IoT, automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics industries. They typically require skills in programming languages like C and C++, and knowledge of hardware design, with job opportunities available across various sectors worldwide.
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The top searched job categories for Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA are:

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Cities near Oakland, CA with the most Embedded Systems Engineer job openings:

Embedded Systems Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Embedded Systems Engineer job openings in Oakland, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,655 per year, or $75.8 per hour.

Senior Embedded Systems Engineer

Orion Sleep

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

We are looking for an experienced embedded systems engineer to build the device logic and drivers for our launch product. You will be responsible for the design, testing, and maintenance of the edge code for our upcoming generations of the product. This is a critical role and we care deeply about giving our users a performant hardware device.
Orion is building the next generation of intelligent sleep technology-thermal regulation, advanced sensing, and beautifully engineered hardware designed to improve sleep quality and long-term health. We're ramping toward mass production and scaling globally. Embedded Systems Engineering is core to how our system functions and performs.
Responsibilities
  • Architect, design, and implement the firmware for our hardware products
  • Own the device bring-up process and debug alongside our hardware vendors
  • Implement observability and maintainability pipelines for firmware testing, deployment, and fleet management
  • Establish coding standards, testing frameworks, and debugging processes
  • Collaborate closely with our hardware vendors, mobile engineers, and backend engineers to ensure seamless integration across the product stack
  • Support new board prototyping and bring-up

Requirements
  • 3+ years experience developing firmware for embedded systems
  • Mastery over C/C++ and embedded development tools and environments
  • Mastery over RTOS platforms and microcontroller architectures
  • Strong experience with BLE, WiFI, and hardware interfaces (ex. SPI, I2C, UART)
  • Strong experience debugging embedded platforms, especially with compute and memory constraints
  • Experience with OTA update mechanisms and production releases
  • Bonus: experience with embedded systems security
  • Bonus: EE experience, component selection, board layouts, device bring up
  • Bonus: experience with CI/CD pipelines for firmware development and testing
  • Bonus: startup experience, experience taking products from concept through production

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