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Freelance Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania

Benshaw Inc

Embedded Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$127K - $168K/yr

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field with at least 5-7 years of real-time embedded software design experience or the equivalent combination ...

Globusmedical

Embedded Software Engineer

Audubon, PA

$132K - $174K/yr

Collaborate with a team of electrical, mechanical, and software engineers to integrate system software into market-ready medical device products * Evaluate real-world system performance with hands-on ...

Globus Medical

Embedded Software Engineer

Audubon, PA · On-site

$132K - $174K/yr

Collaborate with a team of electrical, mechanical, and software engineers to integrate system software into market-ready medical device products * Evaluate real-world system performance with hands-on ...

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Freelance Embedded Software Engineer information

What is a freelance embedded software engineer?

A Freelance Embedded Software Engineer is a professional who designs, develops, tests, and maintains software that operates on embedded systems, such as microcontrollers and specialized hardware, while working independently or on a contract basis. Unlike full-time employees, freelancers typically work with multiple clients on a project-by-project basis. Their responsibilities often include writing firmware, optimizing code for hardware constraints, and integrating software with electronic components. Freelancers in this field enjoy flexibility and variety in their work, but are also responsible for managing their own business operations.

What are some common challenges freelance embedded software engineers face when working with multiple clients?

Freelance embedded software engineers often juggle several projects simultaneously, each with unique hardware platforms, toolchains, and client expectations. Managing communication across different time zones and ensuring clear documentation for handoffs can be challenging. Additionally, freelancers must quickly adapt to varying development environments and maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry standards to deliver quality solutions. Effective organization and transparent project management are key to overcoming these hurdles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance embedded software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Embedded Software Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science or electrical engineering, proficiency in embedded C/C++, and experience with microcontrollers or real-time operating systems. Familiarity with development tools such as Keil, IAR, or Eclipse, version control systems like Git, and relevant certifications (e.g., ARM Accredited Engineer) are highly valued. Excellent problem-solving skills, self-motivation, and strong communication are crucial for managing diverse client projects and remote collaborations. These skills ensure you can deliver reliable, efficient solutions tailored to client needs while maintaining professional autonomy and quality standards.

What is the difference between Freelance Embedded Software Engineer vs Embedded Software Developer?

AspectFreelance Embedded Software EngineerEmbedded Software Developer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in computer engineering or related field, with certifications like ARM or RTOS expertiseSimilar credentials, often with certifications in embedded systems or specific platforms
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, often remote or client-siteUsually employed by companies, working in teams within offices or labs
Industry UsageFreelance market for custom projects, consulting, or short-term contractsFull-time or contract roles within tech, automotive, medical, or consumer electronics industries

While both roles require embedded systems knowledge and similar credentials, a Freelance Embedded Software Engineer works independently on diverse projects, often remotely, whereas an Embedded Software Developer is typically employed by a company, working within a team on ongoing product development.

What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania?

The most popular types of Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania?

For Freelance Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania are:

What cities in Pennsylvania are hiring for Freelance Embedded Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in Pennsylvania with the most Freelance Embedded Software Engineer job openings:

Freelance Embedded Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Embedded Software Engineer job openings in Pennsylvania as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Embedded Software Engineer II

FORT Robotics

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

In today's dynamic worksites, seamless collaboration between people and machines is essential. FORT's platform ensures safe, secure, and dynamic control that surpasses legacy systems and next-generation AI capabilities.
While autonomous machines offer significant advantages, they also introduce new safety challenges. FORT addresses these concerns by providing solutions such as the Wireless E-Stop, which allows operators to instantly stop any machine from a safe distance, enhancing safety during emergencies.
Additionally, FORT's Safe Remote Control enables operators to manage heavy machinery remotely, reducing the risk of accidents and improving visibility.
By ensuring communications integrity across any network, FORT empowers customers to protect their most valuable assets-people, data, and machines-ensuring they remain safe and secure.
As an Embedded Software Engineer II, you will own specific components of our embedded stack, working close to the hardware on the real-time firmware that our safety devices depend on. Most of your time will be spent in RTOS environments (Zephyr and FreeRTOS) and on bare-metal targets, architecting safety-critical systems where reliability is a hard requirement. You will also work with our Embedded Linux platforms where the two worlds meet, so you will be comfortable moving between constrained real-time targets and richer application environments.
What You'll Do
  • Build the Core: Design and implement robust C/C++ firmware for safety-critical embedded devices.
  • Real-Time Architecture: Architect and implement RTOS-based firmware on Zephyr and FreeRTOS, including task and scheduling design, ISR handling, inter-task communication, memory and stack budgeting, and deterministic timing analysis.
  • Bare-Metal and Drivers: Write low-level peripheral drivers and board support code, and bring up new silicon from reset vector through to a running application.
  • Platform Integration: Interface RTOS devices with our Embedded Linux user-space applications, ensuring reliable communication and consistent behavior across the product.
  • Pipeline & Quality: Maintain and improve CI/CD pipelines (GitLab) to automate testing, including on-target and hardware-in-the-loop test execution.
  • Hardware Integration: Bring up new hardware, debug complex issues using JTAG/GDB, and optimize for latency, power, and memory footprint.
  • Safety Compliance: Collaborate with the safety team to ensure code adheres to rigorous standards (IEC 61508) while maintaining development velocity.

What You Bring
  • Experience: 3-5 years of hands-on embedded software development, with a substantial portion on RTOS or bare-metal targets.
  • Core Languages: Strong proficiency in C, along with working proficiency in C++.
  • RTOS Knowledge: Solid production experience with an RTOS such as Zephyr, FreeRTOS, ThreadX, or similar, including scheduling, synchronization primitives, and interrupt-driven design.
  • Microcontroller Fluency: Comfort working directly with MCU peripherals, datasheets, reference manuals, linker scripts, and startup code.
  • Linux Exposure: Familiarity with Embedded Linux user-space development, sufficient to integrate and debug across the RTOS and Linux boundary.
  • Connectivity: Familiarity with IP networking protocols and standard interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C, USB, CAN).
  • Tooling: Experience with Python for scripting/automation and familiarity with CI/CD workflows.
  • Debugging: Comfort using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG, and GDB to troubleshoot hard-to-find bugs.
  • Education: B.S. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.

Bonus Points
  • Experience with Zephyr specifically, including devicetree, Kconfig, and west-based workflows.
  • Experience with wireless stacks (BLE, ISM, Wi-Fi) on constrained devices.
  • Background in Functional Safety (FuSa) or working in regulated industries (Medical, Automotive, Aerospace).
  • Low-level Linux knowledge of Board Support Packages (BSP) and device drivers.
  • Familiarity with static analysis, MISRA C, or other coding standards used in safety-critical development.

Base Compensation can range from $125,000 to $150,000 based on experience & location.

Apply