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Staff Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in California

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$154K - $203K/yr

We're a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery ... embedded software and supervisory state machines, in compliance with regulatory requirements and ...

Embedded Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$154K - $203K/yr

Our IT recruiting agencies and staffing companies can help. We help companies that are looking to hire Embedded Software Engineers for jobs in Santa Clara, California and in other cities too. Please ...

Showing results 41-60

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 Sep 1, 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.

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.

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.

Are staff embedded software engineers in demand?

Staff embedded software engineers are in high demand due to the growth of IoT, automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics industries. They typically require strong programming skills in C/C++, experience with real-time operating systems, and knowledge of hardware integration, making their expertise valuable across various technology sectors.

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:

Infographic showing various Staff Embedded Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,375 per year, or $72.8 per hour.

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Intuitive

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$154K - $203K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Company Description
It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies-like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion-have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.
We're a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.
The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful-because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.
If you're ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you'll find your purpose here.
Job Description
Essential Job Duties
• Gather high-level cross-functional requirements, ranging from customer-facing
requirements to clinical and safety requirements, and cybersecurity
requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders on the definition of development
plans and timelines, that combine technical needs with schedule and resource
need.
• Identify interfaces and communication requirements between hardware and
software components, architect modular and testable software that supports the
system high-level behaviors.
• Support prototyping and development activities of novel surgical robotic
platforms, by leveraging and adapting the existing infrastructure that is shared
across all Intuitive robotic systems; learn from each iteration, refine and extend
code quickly and methodically.
• Lead formal risk analysis; identify additional hardware requirements and develop
software mitigations.
• Act as software lead in the high-level specification, bring-up and integration of
new custom PCAs and FPGA IP.
• Perform detailed design, development, documentation and support verification
activities of embedded software and supervisory state machines, in compliance
with regulatory requirements and Intuitive's internal guidelines.
• Contribute broadly to multiple areas of software development for our distributed
multi-processor systems, including but not limited to video and servo hardware
control and monitoring, inter-processor communication subsystem development,
system diagnostic and service application development, user interface
development
• Apply high level and specialized industry expertise that results in new innovations
and problem-solving approaches that can be leveraged across multiple products.
• Represent your project ably in interactions externally with key customer
collaborators and internally within the company.
Qualifications
Required Education and Training
• Bachelor's degree or above in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or
Computer Engineering, or similar technical field.
• A minimum of 12 years of experience in developing and supporting embedded
systems (or 8 years with a Master's degree, or 5 years with a PhD degree).
Required Skills and Experience

• Fluent in designing and developing mission-critical cross-platform code in C++ or
C, with focus on embedded and real time systems (e.g. QNX).
• Fluent with embedded compute architectures, and their development and testing
methodologies, including hardware debugging.
• Fluent with communication protocols such as TCP/IP, CAN,
serialization protocols.
• Fluent with memory management, concurrency, synchronous and asynchronous
event handling.
• Working knowledge of Python or other scripting languages for automation,
diagnostics and testing. Familiarity with Vivado and other FPGA
development tools.
Preferred Skills and Experience
• Familiarity with servo-controls and electro-mechanical systems.
• Experience designing software products in a regulated industry or for
mission critical applications; comfort with concepts of design input, design
output, traceability, risk analysis, and mitigations.
• Familiarity with medical technology projects from inception through
field validation to launch. Strong understanding of medical product ecosystem
services.
• Familiarity with CUDA programming and memory management concepts.
• Cyber-security concepts such as secure boot, authentication and encryption.
• Hands-on engineering experience with proven ability to work effectively in a team
environment.
Additional Information
Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19. Details can vary by role.
Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.
Mandatory Notices
U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer: In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employeeswho are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.
Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government's licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan ("TCP") (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).
For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee'sstart date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes.
We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.
Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.
This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate's experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate's qualifications, consistent with applicable law.
We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.