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Staff Embedded Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lunar Outpost

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Arvada, CO · On-site

$134K - $177K/yr

Collaborate with hardware and systems engineers to integrate software with embedded platforms * Assistwith system integration, testing, and validation, including simulation and hardware-in-the-loop ...

Lightmatter

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Boston, MA

$142K - $187K/yr

We are hiring a talented software engineer to help us build the next generation of photonic AI ... Debug and troubleshoot embedded systems using tools such as GDB, JTAG, and logic analyzers.

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 ...

Axon

Staff Embedded Application Software Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$149K - $196K/yr

Your Impact As a Staff Embedded Software Engineer, you will lead critical software engineering initiatives and set the strategic technical direction across multiple embedded product lines, including ...

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Staff Embedded Software Engineer information

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$174K

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 the United States is $153,383.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $131,500.00 and $173,000.00 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.
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What states have the most Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs are:
Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Staff Embedded Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $153,383 per year, or $73.7 per hour.
Staff Embedded Software Engineer

Staff Embedded Software Engineer

BrightAI Corporation

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$154K - $203K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Role Overview
As a Senior/Staff Embedded Linux Engineer at BrightAI, you will help support, maintain, and evolve an existing Yocto-based embedded Linux distribution used in production on custom hardware. This is a hands-on individual contributor role focused on improving platform reliability, maintainability, and scalability as the product and company grow. You will work closely with hardware, firmware, and application teams to support new hardware revisions, improve system behavior, and resolve complex system-level issues. This role also includes providing technical guidance and helping shape how the embedded Linux platform evolves over time.
Responsibilities
  • Support and maintain an existing Yocto-based embedded Linux distribution used in production devices.
  • Improve and extend BSPs, Yocto layers, recipes, and images as hardware and product requirements evolve.
  • Support new hardware revisions and board bring-up, including bootloader configuration, kernel updates, and device tree changes.
  • Debug and resolve complex issues across bootloader, kernel, userspace, and hardware boundaries.
  • Develop and maintain low-level system software in C/C++, working closely with custom hardware.
  • Collaborate with hardware, product, and application teams to integrate new features and improvements into the platform.
  • Improve system reliability, performance, boot time, and debuggability.
  • Contribute to best practices for embedded Linux development, testing, release management, and long-term support.
  • Maintain clear technical documentation for platform behavior, changes, and troubleshooting.
  • Remain hands-on during critical phases such as integration, validation, and field issue resolution.
  • Provide technical leadership for embedded Linux platform improvements.
  • Mentor engineers working on Yocto and system-level software.
  • Influence platform evolution, tooling, and long-term maintenance strategies.
Skills and Expertise
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 6+ years of hands-on experience developing embedded software, primarily on embedded Linux platforms.
  • Strong, hands-on experience with the Yocto Project / OpenEmbedded, particularly maintaining and extending existing distributions.
  • Experience working with BSPs, including bootloaders (e.g., U-Boot), Linux kernel configuration, and device trees.
  • Proficiency in C/C++ for low-level and system software development.
  • Working knowledge of Python, Bash, or similar scripting languages, for build systems and automation.
  • Strong Linux debugging skills using tools such as GDB, strace, dmesg, perf, and ftrace.
  • Solid understanding of embedded system constraints, including performance, memory, storage, and boot time.
  • Experience with hardware interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, GPIO, and USB.
  • Experience working with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and collaborative development workflows.
  • Comfortable working in a startup environment with evolving requirements.
  • Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
Bonus Experience
  • Experience with secure boot, system hardening, or embedded Linux security.
  • Familiarity with OTA update systems and device lifecycle management.Experience supporting products through manufacturing and field deployment.
  • Exposure to RTOS or hybrid RTOS/Linux systems.
  • Experience with containerized workloads on embedded Linux (e.g., Docker, Balena).
  • Familiarity with SoCs such as NVIDIA, Qualcomm, or MediaTek.
  • Contributions to open-source embedded Linux or Yocto projects.
Why This Role
  • You'll work on a real, shipping embedded Linux platform, not a greenfield experiment.
  • The focus is on making an existing system better - more reliable, maintainable, and scalable.
  • You'll collaborate closely with hardware and product teams without being expected to "own everything."
  • You'll have meaningful technical impact without constant fire drills or unrealistic expectations.
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About BrightAI

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Software development

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

2019

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