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Staff Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in California

Rivian

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Carson, CA

$171K - $213K/yr

Role Summary We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Staff Embedded Software Engineer to join our inverter-embedded software team. As a senior member of the team, your mission is to greatly ...

Saildrone

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$215K - $260K/yr

THE POSITION Saildrone is seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer to join our Firmware team. Reporting to the Director of Firmware Engineering, you'll be leading the definition, design, and ...

Rivian

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Carson, CA · On-site

$171K - $213K/yr

Role Summary We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Staff Embedded Software Engineer to join our inverter-embedded software team. As a senior member of the team, your mission is to greatly ...

Rivian

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Carson, CA · On-site

$171K - $213K/yr

Role Summary We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Staff Embedded Software Engineer to join our inverter-embedded software team. As a senior member of the team, your mission is to greatly ...

Figure

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · Hybrid

$225K - $300K/yr

We are looking for an Embedded Software Engineer to design, implement and test key aspects of our Humanoid software. Responsibilities: * Architect, design, implement and test embedded software in C ...

Figure

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$225K - $300K/yr

We are looking for an Embedded Software Engineer to design, implement and test key aspects of our Humanoid software. Responsibilities: * Architect, design, implement and test embedded software in C ...

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All JobsStaff Embedded Software Engineer JobsStaff Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in California

Staff Embedded Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$69.1K

$151.4K

$171.7K

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

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff embedded software engineer in California is $151,375.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,800.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you will regularly work alongside hardware engineers, firmware developers, quality assurance testers, and product managers to ensure seamless integration of software and hardware components. This collaboration often involves participating in design reviews, troubleshooting system-level issues, and aligning software development with hardware constraints and product requirements. Strong communication skills are essential for bridging technical gaps and ensuring project timelines are met. You'll also mentor junior engineers and contribute to architectural decisions, making cross-functional teamwork a key part of the role.

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

To thrive as a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you need expertise in embedded systems programming (C/C++), a strong grasp of hardware-software integration, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS), version control systems (like Git), and debugging tools is typically required, along with experience in industry standards and certifications such as ISO 26262 or MISRA. Excellent problem-solving skills, effective communication, and leadership abilities help you collaborate across teams and mentor junior engineers. These skills ensure the delivery of reliable, efficient embedded solutions and drive innovation in complex product environments.

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

AspectStaff Embedded Software EngineerEmbedded Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; experience in embedded systemsBachelor's degree in similar fields; entry to mid-level experience in embedded systems
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and testing embedded software for complex systems in industries like automotive, aerospace, or consumer electronicsDeveloping embedded software for various devices, often in manufacturing or product development settings
Industry UsageCommonly used in large tech, automotive, aerospace, and industrial companiesWidely used across startups, mid-sized, and large companies in electronics and device manufacturing

The main difference between a Staff Embedded Software Engineer and an Embedded Software Engineer lies in experience level, scope of responsibilities, and project complexity. Staff engineers typically lead projects, mentor teams, and handle more complex systems, while embedded software engineers focus on developing and testing embedded code within their teams.

What does a Staff Embedded Software Engineer do?

A Staff Embedded Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software that runs on embedded systems—specialized computing devices found in products such as cars, medical devices, and industrial machines. They are responsible for writing code that interacts directly with hardware, optimizing performance, and ensuring reliability. In addition to hands-on development, staff-level engineers often mentor junior engineers, contribute to system architecture, and help set technical direction for projects. Their work is crucial in ensuring that embedded systems function safely and efficiently in their intended environments.
What are popular job titles related to Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs in California? For Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs in California are:
Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Staff Embedded Software Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 81% Full Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $151,375 per year, or $72.8 per hour.

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Observable Space

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$141K - $186K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

From telescopes to software architecture, Observable Space provides the foundational elements every organization needs to operate in space. Observable Space is unlocking continuous, real-time observations of space with the industry's first line of vertically integrated hardware and software products. The company is a leader in advanced telescope design and manufacturing in the US. Every product is part of a robust developer platform for space data applications. Observable Space's full line of products serves all sectors of the space industry including commercial, science, education, and government customers, as well as astronomy enthusiasts discovering the cosmos.
Observable Space is backed by top institutional investors-Upfront Ventures, Oceans Ventures, Venrex, Marlinspike Partners, and Embedded Ventures.
Role Summary
As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you will work across our full product line, from robotic ground telescopes to on-orbit compute platforms. You will design and maintain embedded Linux systems, bring up complex peripherals, build rock-solid drivers, and architect software that will run for decades in remote and harsh environments.
This role is deeply hands-on: you will read schematics, work shoulder-to-shoulder with electrical and mechanical teams, debug unusual edge cases, and own Yocto-based platforms down to the metal. You will report to the Embedded Engineering Lead.
Key Responsibilities
  • Architect, implement, and document embedded Linux systems composed of multiple daemons, services, and hardware interfaces designed for extreme reliability in remote and space environments.
  • Own the BSP and driver stack across PCIe, SPI, I2C, UART, MIPI CSI-2, GPIO, and other hardware interfaces.
  • Bring up high-speed peripherals (PCIe endpoints, MIPI cameras, high-bandwidth data links) and ensure their long-term robustness.
  • Maintain build system health: keep Yocto builds unblocked, reproducible, and hardened through strict CI/CD testing gates.
  • Design for resilience: create systems that can run autonomously for years with minimal human intervention.
  • Collaborate on automated testing: help the test team build lab infrastructure that enables frictionless writing and execution of hardware-in-the-loop tests.
  • Participate in product design reviews to ensure manufacturability, serviceability, and field reliability.

Basic Qualifications
  • 5+ years in embedded software engineering or systems-level development.
  • Strong proficiency in C and modern C++-and good judgment about when not to overuse templates.
  • Solid understanding of DC power systems, motor drivers, and common hardware interfaces (I2C, SPI, CAN, Ethernet, MIPI, PCIe).
  • Experience bringing up high-speed interfaces, especially PCIe and MIPI CSI-2 (D-PHY 1.4+).
  • Deep familiarity with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, multimeters, and power debugging tools.
  • Ability to read and interpret schematics, understand board-level considerations, and debug at the electrical-software boundary.
  • Strong debugging intuition-and the humility to know that debugging is 90% of the job.
  • Experience in fast-paced prototyping environments and a bias toward quick iteration.
  • Strong product sense: you prioritize manufacturing reliability, robustness, and long-term serviceability.

Bonus Qualifications
  • Experience with Zephyr RTOS, embedded networking stacks, or sensor fusion.
  • Experience with Qualcomm SoCs and their BSP/driver ecosystems.
  • Experience with 3 phase motor drivers and tuning parameters park/clark vector control.
  • Background in vision processing, image pipelines, or camera-focused algorithms.
  • Contributions to open-source embedded or Linux kernel projects.
  • Passion for astronomy, physics, and scientific exploration.

What We Offer
  • Competitive Compensation - A salary package aligned with industry standards and your experience.
  • Equity Opportunities - Take part in our success with stock options.
  • Flexible Work Environment - Enjoy working from our office or in a hybrid work setup with the flexibility to work remotely part of the week. We require a minimum of 3 days per week in our office to support collaboration and team culture. (LA Office only)
  • Unlimited PTO - Take the time you need with our flexible, trust-based vacation policy, including paid holidays. We encourage everyone to rest, recharge, and take care of themselves.
  • Health & Wellness - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% of the premium paid by the employer for employees.
  • Cutting-Edge Tools - Get access to the latest hardware and software you need to do your best work.
  • Mission-Driven Culture - Be part of a team working on meaningful challenges with real-world impact.
  • Inclusive Team - We foster a supportive and diverse workplace where all voices are valued.

Observable Space is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Compensation: $180K- $200K salary + competitive equity

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