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Embedded Testing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Embedded Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$141K - $185K/yr

Participate in the complete Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) including requirements analysis, architecture/design, implementation, integration, and testing. * Develop and maintain embedded ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$141K - $185K/yr

Participate in the complete Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) including requirements analysis, architecture/design, implementation, integration, and testing. * Develop and maintain embedded ...

Build drivers for advanced image processing pipelines in embedded systems, working with the latest ... Contribute to hardware validation, offering firmware support during factory testing and ...

Embedded Software Tools Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$154K - $203K/yr

Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and system-level testing * Factory and manufacturing test systems ... Improve observability of embedded systems through logging, metrics, tracing, and crash analysis

Embedded Software Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$136K - $179K/yr

The selected candidate will contribute to the development, testing, and certification of the Next Generation Encryptor (NGE) - a high-speed encryption solution designed to support secure government ...

Embedded Platform Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$110K - $151K/yr

Senior Embedded Platform Engineer Role Summary Weʼre seeking a Senior Platform/Real-Time Embedded ... Experience supporting hardware bring-up, lab validation, and HIL testing * Strong analytical skills ...

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Showing results 1-20

Embedded Testing information

See California salary details

$20.7K

$100.8K

$148K

How much do embedded testing jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded testing in California is $100,808.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,400.00 and $122,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Embedded Testing, and how can they be addressed?

Embedded Testing professionals often encounter challenges such as limited hardware resources, integration with diverse hardware platforms, and ensuring real-time performance. To address these, testers typically use specialized tools for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and employ automation frameworks to manage repetitive test cases efficiently. Close collaboration with firmware and hardware engineers is also crucial to quickly diagnose issues and align testing strategies with development cycles, ensuring robust and reliable embedded systems.

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

To thrive as an Embedded Testing Engineer, you need a solid background in embedded systems, programming languages like C/C++, and experience with test methodologies, often supported by an engineering degree. Familiarity with tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG debuggers, and test automation frameworks, as well as certifications like ISTQB, are commonly required. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with development teams and identify complex issues. These skills ensure the reliability, safety, and performance of embedded products in critical applications.

What is the difference between Embedded Testing vs Embedded Software Developer?

AspectEmbedded Testing
Primary FocusVerifying and validating embedded systems and hardware integration
Skills RequiredTesting methodologies, debugging, knowledge of embedded hardware and software
Work EnvironmentTesting labs, hardware-in-the-loop setups, embedded device environments
CertificationsEmbedded testing certifications, ISTQB, hardware testing credentials

Embedded Testing primarily focuses on verifying the functionality and reliability of embedded systems through testing and validation processes. In contrast, Embedded Software Developers design, develop, and implement embedded software. While both roles require knowledge of embedded systems, testers concentrate on quality assurance, whereas developers focus on creating the software itself.

What is embedded testing?

Embedded testing is the process of verifying and validating the software and hardware components of embedded systems. These systems are specialized computing units designed to perform dedicated functions within larger electronic devices, such as cars, medical equipment, or home appliances. Embedded testing ensures that both the software and hardware work together reliably, safely, and efficiently under various operating conditions. The testing process often includes unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and sometimes hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing. This helps identify defects early and ensures the embedded system meets its required specifications.
Infographic showing various Embedded Testing job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 46% Full Time, and 54% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $100,808 per year, or $48.5 per hour.
Embedded Software Validation Engineer

Embedded Software Validation Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Palo Alto, CA

$151K - $198K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

In this position...

We are seeking a Senior Embedded Software Validation Engineer to join our team, specializing in embedded systems with a focus on validating automotive firmware and applications. As an Embedded Software Validation Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, maintaining, and scaling automated tests for our embedded software products, to ultimately validate functional and non-functional requirements. You will also be responsible for designing and bringing up test benches to launch Ford software on production-intent hardware, on which you will author and execute automated tests. These tests will validate software features across various domains, including network communication, IoT and connectivity, multimedia, UI, and low-voltage power distribution. Your expertise in embedded systems and automotive industry knowledge will help ensure the quality and reliability of our software solutions.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to:

  • Review requirements for completeness and testability,
  • Analyze and provide feedback on system architecture
  • Build, review, and expand infrastructure needed to simulate automative behaviors and automate tests
  • Derive test scenarios from requirements, use cases and analysis of system design
  • Develop and test in tandem with developers, troubleshoot and resolve bugs, and raise the standard for high quality software and functionality through iteration and automation.
  • Participate in code reviews and provide feedback on testability and maintainability.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of testing processes, methodologies, and best practices. 

You'll have...

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field or relevant experience
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in software testing, preferably with embedded systems in the automotive industry.
  • Strong programming skills in Python, Rust, or other relevant languages used in embedded software development and verification.
  • Experience writing automated tests in test frameworks such as Pytest, Slash, Robot Framework, or similar.
  • Strong experience debugging embedded systems at a module and/or system level, and the ability to triage nightly regression failures. 
  • Experience with software testing tools, frameworks, and methodologies (e.g., requirements-driven test development, unit testing, integration testing, system testing, automated testing).
  • Experience validating embedded software features across one or more of the following domains: network communication, IoT and connectivity, multimedia, UI, and low-voltage power distribution.

Even better, you may have...

  • Proficiency in C/C++, or other relevant embedded software development languages.
  • Experience with automotive diagnostic tools and testing environments.
  • Knowledge of automotive communication protocols (e.g., CAN/CAN-FD, Ethernet (MQTT, GRPC, DDS, etc), LIN, etc.
  • Working knowledge of IDLs such as DBC, LDF, ARXML, and work with internally IDLs and frameworks.
  • Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing on Linux-based environments.
  • Experience testing Android and/or iOS devices.
  • Experience with automotive standards and regulations such as ISO 26262.
  • Knowledge of sensing and measurement principles, including analog and digital sensors, signal conditioning, and data acquisition techniques.
  • Experience with electrical wiring, circuit building, and troubleshooting, with the ability to read and create basic electrical schematics.
  • Familiarity with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage

Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more

Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more

Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases

Tuition assistance

Established and active employee resource groups

Paid time off for individual and team community service

A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day

Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

Onsite work of up to three days per week may be required for candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub location. 

#LI-SE1 #UEV

What you'll do...

  • Create and execute test plans, test cases, and test scripts to validate functional, non-functional, and regression testing for embedded software components.
  • Design, develop, and maintain automated tests and tools on embedded software systems in automotive environments, including application-layer firmware, infotainment/UI, and multimedia.
  • Design, build, bring-up, and scale remotely accessible test stations with production-intent hardware and peripherals, for accurately represent automotive environments.

Ford logo

About Ford

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow's transportation.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Doral, FL, US

Year founded

1982