1

Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About the Job Umbra is seeking an Embedded Systems Engineer with a strong firmware background to support development of mission-critical satellite systems. This role focuses on bare-metal embedded ...

Embedded Systems Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$118K - $155K/yr

We're looking for an embedded robotics engineer to help design and build the distributed embedded system that powers these machines. You'll work across firmware, real-time control, device ...

Embedded Systems Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$118K - $155K/yr

We're looking for an embedded robotics engineer to help design and build the distributed embedded system that powers these machines. You'll work across firmware, real-time control, device ...

Embedded Systems Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$118K - $155K/yr

We're looking for an embedded robotics engineer to help design and build the distributed embedded system that powers these machines. You'll work across firmware, real-time control, device ...

Software Engineer (Embedded Systems) This Software Engineer role focuses on developing software for a broad range of devices used in surface heaters, temperature controllers, and insulators. These ...

Embedded Systems Engineer

Carmel, IN · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

YOUR ROLE As a Embedded Systems, Radar- for an Embedded Systems, Radar to lead an Engineering team in our adjacent markets organization, located at our Indiana Technical Center in Carmel, IN. In your ...

Our teams work across disciplines--including RF, embedded systems, electronics, mechanical engineering, software, manufacturing, and supply chain--to transform innovative ideas into reliable ...

$120 - $180/hr

YOUR ROLE As a Embedded Systems, Radar- for an Embedded Systems, Radar to lead an Engineering team in our adjacent markets organization, located at our Indiana Technical Center in Carmel, IN. In your ...

Showing results 21-40

Embedded Systems Engineer information

See salary details

$62.5K

$137.3K

$192K

How much do embedded systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded systems engineer in the United States is $137,274.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,500.00 and $163,500.00 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 cities are hiring for Embedded Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Embedded Systems Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Systems Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Embedded Systems Engineer jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Embedded Systems Engineer jobs?

The top employers for Embedded Systems Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Embedded Systems Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Embedded Systems Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Embedded Systems Engineer job openings in the United States 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 $137,274 per year, or $66 per hour.

Senior Embedded Systems Engineer

Kratos Defense

Huntsville, AL

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Kratos Defense & Security Solutions rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Kratos Defense Rocket Support Services is seeking a senior embedded systems engineer to design, develop, integrate, and validate advanced embedded software and hardware systems for mission?critical applications. This role requires deep experience with real?time processing, embedded firmware, sensor integration, communication interfaces, and software architecture in constrained, performance?demanding environments. Ideal candidates will have a strong foundation in embedded software engineering across multiple processor families, hands?on experience with real?time operating systems, device drivers, and hardware?software integration, and a history of delivering reliable embedded systems across the full product lifecycle from concept development to field deployment.

The senior embedded systems engineer will collaborate closely with cross?disciplinary teams including electrical, mechanical, systems, and test engineering. They will support program execution through requirements analysis, embedded architecture design, system integration, test planning, troubleshooting, and documentation. Some travel may be required for customer interactions, integration events, or testing.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Develop embedded software architectures, firmware, and real?time control logic for sensor?driven and mission?critical systems across multiple processing platforms.
• Design, implement, and debug device drivers, communication protocols, and interfaces including serial, CAN, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, and RF transceivers.
• Integrate embedded applications with hardware components such as microcontrollers, DSPs, FPGAs, sensors, actuators, and power systems.
• Develop and maintain real?time software using bare?metal, RTOS?based, or Linux?based environments.
• Implement state machines, control loops, data acquisition modules, and system?level embedded behaviors.
• Support system?level integration including hardware bring?up, interface verification, troubleshooting, and performance tuning.
• Develop tools, scripts, and build systems to support firmware deployment, cross?compilation, and multi?target development.
• Perform analysis, simulation, and testing to ensure software robustness, timing performance, and reliability under diverse environmental and operational conditions.
• Lead technical investigations, root?cause analysis, and corrective actions for embedded system issues.
• Work closely with cross?functional engineering teams to support system requirements definition, trade studies, architecture decisions, and design reviews.
• Prepare technical documentation, design artifacts, test reports, and customer briefings.
• Mentor junior engineers in embedded development practices, tools, and engineering methodologies.


REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & JOB SKILLS:
• Extensive embedded software development experience in C, C++, and related languages.
• Experience with real?time operating systems, firmware development, and low?level hardware interaction.
• Strong background with microcontrollers, DSPs, and embedded processor architectures.
• Experience developing and integrating communication interfaces and protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, Ethernet, RF links).
• Demonstrated capability in sensor integration, signal acquisition, and system?level control logic.
• Knowledge of FPGA interaction, hardware abstraction, and mixed hardware/software environments.
• Experience with build systems, configuration management, debug tools, and code versioning.
• Ability to create detailed technical documentation, design artifacts, and verification plans.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and system?level thinking skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary engineering teams and interface with customers or program leadership.

• Experience with RTOS environments such as QNX or similar
• Experience with FPGA-based subsystems and mixed HW/SW architectures
• Experience in sensor-driven data acquisition systems preferred
• Experience with RF System on a Chip (RF SoC), Direct RF or other RF enabled embedded systems

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
• Bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, or related field.
• 8+ years of professional experience in embedded software and systems engineering.
• Advanced graduate?level work or specialization in image processing, radar processing, controls, telecommunications, or embedded systems is beneficial.


What Kratos Defense & Security Solutions employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom