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Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in State College, PA

GFT.

Entry Level CAD Technician

State College, PA

$65K - $80K/yr

Joining the water engineering team at GFT means contributing to innovative solutions for ... Utilize advanced CADD software to produce construction documents, ensuring accuracy and adherence ...

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All JobsEntry Level Embedded Software Engineer JobsEntry Level Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in State College, PA

Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer information

See State College, PA salary details

$68.5K

$150K

$170.2K

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

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level embedded software engineer in State College, PA is $150,009.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $128,600.00 and $169,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical day look like for an Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer?

A typical day for an Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer often includes writing and reviewing code, testing software on hardware platforms, and debugging issues alongside more experienced team members. You'll likely participate in daily stand-up meetings, collaborate with hardware engineers, and contribute to ongoing projects through documentation or prototype development. While much of the work involves technical programming, you may also have the opportunity to engage in design discussions and learn from senior engineers. This balance of hands-on coding, testing, and teamwork helps you gain practical experience and develop your engineering skills early in your career.

What is an Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer job?

An Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software that runs on embedded systems, such as microcontrollers and IoT devices. They work with low-level programming languages like C and C++, interact with hardware, and optimize system performance. Responsibilities often include writing firmware, debugging code, and collaborating with hardware engineers. This role is ideal for candidates with a background in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field and a strong understanding of embedded systems concepts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer position, and why are they important?

To succeed as an Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer, strong programming skills in C/C++, understanding of microcontrollers, and a relevant engineering degree are fundamental. Familiarity with embedded development environments, version control systems such as Git, and basic debugging tools is highly valued, though certifications like embedded systems courses can be advantageous. Effective communication, problem-solving abilities, and a willingness to learn help candidates integrate smoothly into multidisciplinary teams. These qualifications are essential because they ensure you can develop, test, and troubleshoot reliable embedded software within collaborative engineering environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA? The most popular types of Embedded Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA? For Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near State College, PA are hiring for Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer jobs? Cities near State College, PA with the most Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Embedded Software Engineer job openings in State College, PA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Locum Tenens, 11% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $150,009 per year, or $72.1 per hour.

Embedded Software Engineer

Penn State University

University Park, PA • On-site

$76K - $129K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

Penn State University rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 100 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

173rd of 536 rated colleges and universities

Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are searching for a motivated and technically strong Embedded Software Engineer to join our Embedded Software Department within the Guidance and Control Technologies Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. This position supports the development of advanced autonomous undersea systems and contributes directly to national defense research initiatives.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
  • Design, implement, integrate, and test embedded software supporting autonomous vehicle guidance and control, including sensor monitoring, actuator and motor control, and algorithms for signal processing, detection, classification, tracking, and decision-making
  • Develop and integrate autonomy-related capabilities such as sensor fusion, perception, and embedded signal-processing pipelines
  • Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team to integrate complete embedded software systems and support hardware-in-the-loop testing and bench-level validation
  • Prepare documentation, technical reports, and presentations
  • Support occasional travel to remote test locations as part of a small engineering and research team

Required skills/experience areas include:
  • Writing software for an embedded system
  • Proficiency in C or C++ for embedded environments
  • Effective interpersonal communication skills, demonstrated through previous success in collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environments
  • Ability to clearly convey technical information in presentations, documentation, and design discussions

Preferred skills/experience areas include:
  • Embedded communication protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, and Ethernet
  • Microcontroller programming and low-level embedded development
  • Linux experience
  • Scripting with Python or MATLAB
  • Autonomy-related algorithms such as sensor fusion, Kalman filtering, state estimation, or embedded perception/tracking
  • Autonomy frameworks (e.g., ROS 2, MOOS-IvP, JAUS-based middleware)
  • Real-time embedded systems or RTOS environments
  • Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments or lab-based hardware integration
  • Use of AI- or LLM-assisted workflows to improve software development efficiency, code quality, or documentation
  • Agile development methods and toolsets such as Atlassian
  • Unit testing frameworks
  • Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility if required

This position will be fully on-site in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This role requires periodic travel to remote locations.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science2+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Research and Development Engineer - Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or ScienceNo prior relevant work experience requiredRequired Certifications:None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $76,700.00 - $129,500.00.**THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL**
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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