ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer Jobs in California

Actalent

Embedded Software Engineer

Carson, CA · On-site

$45 - $100/hr

Embedded Software Engineer The Embedded Software Engineer will verify, test, integrate, and develop embedded software for high-power, safety-critical systems in aerospace, defense, aviation, and ...

Actalent

Embedded Software Engineer

Carson, CA

$45 - $100/hr

Embedded Software Engineer The Embedded Software Engineer will verify, test, integrate, and develop embedded software for high-power, safety-critical systems in aerospace, defense, aviation, and ...

CyberCoders

Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$180K - $250K/yr

Wireless networking experience is a must * 8+ years of relevant embedded system software development experience. * Expertise in C programming and experience in Linux kernel driver development. * Must ...

Astranis

Flight Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA

Flight Software Engineer As our Flight Software Engineer, you will support the the development ... Experience with building bare-metal embedded system software * Experience with reading schematics ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEmbedded System Software Engineer JobsFreelance Embedded System Software Engineer JobsFreelance Embedded System Software Engineer Jobs in California

Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer information

What does a Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer do?

A Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software that runs on embedded systems, which are specialized computing systems within larger devices like cars, appliances, or industrial machines. They typically work independently or on a contract basis, collaborating with clients to understand requirements and deliver customized software solutions. Their responsibilities often include writing low-level code, optimizing for performance and memory usage, and troubleshooting hardware-software integration issues.

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

AspectFreelance Embedded System Software EngineerEmbedded Firmware Developer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related fields; certifications are optionalSimilar educational background; certifications like Certified Embedded Systems Engineer can be advantageous
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based work often remote; collaborates with multiple clientsUsually employed by a company or works on in-house projects; may work on-site or remotely
Industry UsageUsed across various industries including IoT, automotive, consumer electronicsPrimarily in product development, consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial systems

Both roles require embedded programming skills and knowledge of hardware. The main difference lies in the work setting: Freelance Embedded System Software Engineers work independently on diverse projects, while Embedded Firmware Developers are often employed by companies focusing on firmware development for specific products.

How do freelance embedded system software engineers typically manage project scope and communication with clients?

Freelance embedded system software engineers often work independently or as part of small remote teams, making clear communication and project scope management essential. They regularly use project management tools and set milestones to clarify deliverables and timelines with clients. Addressing technical constraints and hardware integration challenges early in the process helps avoid misunderstandings. Frequent status updates and transparent discussions about changes or obstacles ensure projects stay on track and meet client expectations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer, you need a solid background in embedded C/C++ programming, microcontroller architecture, and real-time operating systems, often supported by a degree in electrical engineering or computer science. Familiarity with hardware debugging tools, version control systems (like Git), and development platforms such as ARM, AVR, or PIC is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, self-motivation, and clear client communication help freelancers stand out in this role. These competencies ensure reliable, efficient solutions and successful project delivery in dynamic and client-driven environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded System Software Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Embedded System Software Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer jobs in California? For Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer job openings:
Freelance Embedded System Software Engineer jobs near you
Senior System Software Engineer - AV Platform

Senior System Software Engineer - AV Platform

Nvidia

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Nvidia rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 209 rated software companies

Job description

The Autonomous Vehicles Platform team is looking for a hands-on System Software Engineer. As part of our team, you will work on our Autonomous Driving Platform software, implementing performant and scalable solutions for data collection and autonomous vehicle fleets. Our team is responsible for developing platform and middleware features for self-driving cars. This includes software that interacts with various sensors including Cameras, LIDAR, RADAR, GPS, IMU, Vehicle CAN etc. We are seeking candidates with interests in inventing, developing, and maintaining application framework and tools on multi-computer and heterogeneous architectures. The role encompasses working with various teams across the stack, from platform and embedded software to cloud infrastructure, underpinned by safety and performance. It extends an opportunity to contribute to the technology that will drive the cars of the future!

What you'll be doing:

  • Integrating sensors into our AV driving software stack.

  • Develop and improve startup user experience of our AV stack

  • Working on areas such as sensor abstraction layers, data processing and performance optimization, data serialization, and service frameworks.

  • Collaborate with hardware, platform software, product, safety, performance, algorithms and cloud teams.

What we need to see:

  • BS or MS degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

  • 6+ year of professional experience working on system software.

  • Excellent programming skills in C++, C and Python.

  • Familiarity with source control tools.

  • Solid understanding of Linux, QNX, ROS, and/or real-time operating systems.

  • Experience in developing user-space system software, with a willingness to delve into kernel-space and/or low-level hardware when needed.

  • Knowledge about embedded system programming, threading, mutex, synchronization, communication, and parallel computing to build highly-scalable and efficient applications.

  • Familiarity with hardware architecture for CPU/GPU and memory alongside performance.

  • Prior experience working in the following areas: Autonomous Vehicles, Robotics, Self-Driving-Cars, GPU technology, Embedded Systems, Computer Vision.

  • Outstanding communication skills and teamwork.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

  • Deep understanding of system architecture, CPU/GPU/Memory/Storage, everything related to performance optimization.

  • Experience in Autonomous Vehicle or Robotic System Building.

  • Hand-on experience in embedded development, operating systems and real-time software.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 184,000 USD - 287,500 USD for Level 4, and 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD for Level 5.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until March 13, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

What Nvidia employees say

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Nvidia logo

About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1993

View All Nvidia Jobs

Apply