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Principal Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in California

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Principal Embedded Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$118.9K

$160.2K

$185K

How much do principal embedded software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal embedded software engineer in California is $160,233.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $149,000.00 and $173,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Principal Embedded Software Engineer vs Embedded Software Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Embedded Software EngineerEmbedded Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related; extensive experienceBachelor's in relevant field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D teams, system architecture, and designDevelopment, coding, testing embedded systems
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, automotive, aerospace, industrial automationSimilar industries, often as a team member
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior roles, responsibilities, and qualificationsEntry to mid-level job distinctions

The Principal Embedded Software Engineer typically holds a senior leadership role with extensive experience, focusing on system architecture and strategic development. In contrast, an Embedded Software Engineer is more involved in coding and testing at an entry or mid-level. Both roles are vital in embedded systems development but differ in scope, responsibility, and experience requirements.

What does a Principal Embedded Software Engineer do?

A Principal Embedded Software Engineer is a senior-level professional who designs, develops, and oversees software that runs on embedded systems, such as microcontrollers and specialized hardware devices. They are responsible for leading software architecture decisions, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the embedded software. Their work often involves close collaboration with hardware engineers and cross-functional teams to deliver integrated solutions. Principal Embedded Software Engineers also play a key role in setting technical standards and driving innovation within their organization.

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

To thrive as a Principal Embedded Software Engineer, you need advanced expertise in embedded systems programming, real-time operating systems, and a strong background in computer engineering or related fields, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with technical tools like C/C++, embedded Linux, microcontroller development environments, and certifications such as Certified Embedded Systems Engineer are typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities are essential soft skills to guide teams and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders. These skills and qualities are crucial for successfully architecting complex embedded solutions and driving innovation in product development.

How does a Principal Embedded Software Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during product development?

As a Principal Embedded Software Engineer, you will frequently work alongside hardware engineers, system architects, and product managers to ensure seamless integration of software and hardware components. You may lead technical discussions, provide guidance on system constraints, and participate in design reviews to align on specifications and timelines. Effective communication and collaboration are essential, as you'll be responsible for translating product requirements into reliable embedded solutions while mentoring junior engineers and ensuring best practices across the team.
Principal / Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Principal / Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Los Angeles, CA

$135K - $186K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 2 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 339 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

107th of 518 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!

We are looking for you to join our team as a Principal or Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer based out of Woodland Hills, CA. As an Embedded Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of Model-based Engineering, DevSecOps and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of automation.

What You'll get to Do:

In this position you will be developing embedded softwarefor our cutting edge Navigation systems. As a member of our world class software development team, you will have opportunities to improve and expand your capabilities in software design and code development. You will also have opportunities to perform software and system integration on state of the art hardware, learn new software development techniques such as Model Based Engineering (MBE), and work in an agile and collaborative development environment.

As a successful candidate, you will collaborate with peers across our organization and will have clearly demonstrated the strong leadership skills needed to join our top performing team. You will have a track record as an effective communicator and problem solver who is able to develop and maintain good working relationships with our internal and external customers. You will also have demonstrated a commitment to ethics and integrity, and the capability to innovate while challenging our traditional ways of doing business. You will make us even better!

This requisition may be filled as a Principal Embedded Software Engineer or Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer

Basic Qualifications for Principal Embedded Software Engineer:

  • Bachelors degree in STEM with 5 years of hands on Software Development experience; 3 years of experience with Masters in STEM; 1 year with a PhD in STEM

  • Demonstrated capability to translate formal software requirements into software designs

  • Demonstrated use of high-level programming languages such as C, C++, or Java, or scripting languages such as Python

  • Experience using software management and workflow automation tools such as ClearCase, Git, ClearQuest, or Jira

  • Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative development environment

  • Experience in the development and performance of software tests

  • U.S. Citizenship is required

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance is required

  • Ability to work on site at our Woodland Hills, CA facility

Basic Qualifications for Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer:

  • Bachelors degree in STEM with 8 years of hands on Software Development experience; 6 years of experience with Masters in STEM; 4 Years with a PhD in STEM

  • Demonstrated capability to translate formal software requirements into software designs

  • Demonstrated use of high-level programming languages such as C, C++, or Java, or scripting languages such as Python

  • Experience using software management and workflow automation tools such as ClearCase, Git, ClearQuest, or Jira

  • Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative development environment

  • Experience in the development and performance of software tests

  • U.S. Citizenship is required

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance is required

  • Ability to work on site at our Woodland Hills, CA facility

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Current/Active U.S. Government Secret clearance

  • Experience using DOORS for software requirements management

  • MATLAB/Simulink model-based software development

  • Demonstrated capability to define software requirements for an INS/GPS system

  • Familiarity with/Experience in INS/GPS Kalman filter design and requirements definition

  • Experience developing, verifying, certifying and releasing mission and safety-critical software systems that comply with RTCA DO-178B/ C or similar guidelines.

  • Demonstrated use of MATLAB for simulation and INS/GPS system performance evaluation

  • Experience in the development and performance of system tests

  • Hands-on experience with one or more communication protocols such as MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429 or RS-422

  • Real-time safety-critical embedded software systems development experience (including APIs, interfaces and device drivers)

  • Navigation and/or Integrated Avionics System development experience

  • Demonstrated capability to develop UML software designs using design tools such as Rhapsody and/or Model Based Engineering designs using tools such as Simulink or SCADE

  • Experience with the full software lifecycle: specification, design, implementation and unit test, integration, and maintenance

  • Experience developing, verifying, certifying and releasing mission and safety-critical software systems that comply with RTCA DO-178B/ C or similar guidelines.

  • Experience with software test tools such as LDRA and Vector Cast and code analysis tools such as Polyspace

Primary Level Salary Range: $114,000.00 - $171,000.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939