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

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 ...

Embedded Software Tools Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$154K - $203K/yr

You will work closely with embedded, firmware, silicon, systems, test, and manufacturing teams to understand workflows and pain points, then design tools that improve developer productivity, software ...

A background in robotics, embedded systems, or electronics engineering is a strong signal for the kind of systems-level thinking this role requires. Key Responsibilities: Improve speed, efficiency ...

Collaborate with hardware engineers to integrate and manage HSM solutions within embedded systems, ensuring robust encryption, key management, and secure cryptographic operations. * Work closely with ...

Showing results 21-40

Embedded Systems Engineer information

See Sunnyvale, CA salary details

$73.6K

$161.6K

$226K

How much do embedded systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded systems engineer in Sunnyvale, CA is $161,604.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $131,300.00 and $192,500.00 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.

What are popular job titles related to Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA?

For Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in Sunnyvale, CA are:

What cities near Sunnyvale, CA are hiring for Embedded Systems Engineer jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Embedded Systems Engineer job openings in Sunnyvale, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $161,604 per year, or $77.7 per hour.

Embedded Systems Engineer, High Speed DSP

Google

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Google rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

49th of 246 rated software companies


Job description

info_outline
X Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: Sunnyvale, CA, USA; Haifa, Israel; Tel Aviv, Israel.
Minimum qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 10 years of industry experience in embedded systems/firmware, communication systems engineering, or digital signal processing (DSP) development.
  • Experience developing embedded software (C/C ) for high-speed physical-layer interfaces (PHY), digital transceivers, or communication subsystems.

Preferred qualifications:
  • Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Expertise in Forward Error Correction (FEC) algorithms and advanced modulation schemes.
  • Track record defining firmware framework specifications, register maps, and Silicon Life-cycle Management telemetry for high-volume networking or AI silicon.
  • Background in wireless communications with deep domain knowledge of channel modeling, noise mitigation, and digital transceiver architectures.

About the job
In this role, you'll work to shape the future of AI/ML hardware acceleration. You will have an opportunity to drive cutting-edge TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) technology that powers Google's most demanding AI/ML applications. You'll be part of a team that pushes boundaries, developing custom silicon solutions that power the future of Google's TPU. You'll contribute to the innovation behind products loved by millions worldwide, and leverage your design and verification expertise to verify complex digital designs, with a specific focus on TPU architecture and its integration within AI/ML-driven systems.
In this role, for High-Speed DSP, you will architect and define the low-level firmware and control loops powering Google's physical-layer communications silicon. Sitting at the critical intersection of digital signal processing (DSP), hardware-software co-design, and real-time systems, you will lead the development of adaptive algorithms, error correction (FEC), and link-telemetry frameworks. Your work will directly bridge the gap between high-performance hardware pipelines and Google's AI infrastructure, transforming complex communication systems theory into reliable, real-time silicon execution.
The AI and Infrastructure team is redefining what's possible. We empower Google customers with breakthrough capabilities and insights by delivering AI and Infrastructure at unparalleled scale, efficiency, reliability and velocity. Our customers include Googlers, Google Cloud customers, and billions of Google users worldwide.
We're the driving force behind Google's groundbreaking innovations, empowering the development of our cutting-edge AI models, delivering unparalleled computing power to global services, and providing the essential platforms that enable developers to build the future. From software to hardware our teams are shaping the future of world-leading hyperscale computing, with key teams working on the development of our TPUs, Vertex AI for Google Cloud, Google Global Networking, Data Center operations, systems research, and much more.
Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
US: $192000 - $278000 (USD) 20% bonus target equity benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google .
Responsibilities
  • Define the long-term firmware roadmap and hardware-software partitioning for physical-layer interfaces, determining the optimal balance between hardware-fixed logic and programmable firmware.
  • Architect advanced "in-situ" monitoring systems and firmware-driven diagnostics to track physical-layer link health, Bit Error Rate (BER) trends, and channel quality across millions of ports in real-time.
  • Design, model, and implement bare-metal or RTOS firmware to control high-speed transceivers, managing real-time adaptive loops, clock and data recovery (CDR), and physical-layer calibration.
  • Partner with TPU Systems, Networking Software, and High-Performance Computing (HPC) teams to ensure silicon firmware integrates seamlessly with global cluster management and collective communication frameworks.
  • Identify and de-risk hardware-software interface bottlenecks (e.g., register maps, driver latencies, and boot-up sequencing) that impact Google's AI infrastructure.

Information collected and processed as part of your Google Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Google's Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy .
Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy , Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal , Belonging at Google , and How we hire .
If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by completing our Accommodations for Applicants form .
Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.
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