C Software Engineer Jobs
C Software Engineer jobs are open across embedded systems, defense, automotive, and operating systems development, from new-grad to principal and staff levels, with specializations in real-time systems, systems programming, and firmware engineering. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 259+ C Software Engineer jobs
About the role
As a C and Unix Developer, you will make an impact by supporting the development and maintenance of applications built using C and Unix technologies. You will collaborate with client stakeholders and internal teams to understand requirements, support application needs, and contribute to dependable technology solutions.
In this role, you will:
- Perform application development and maintenance activities using C and Unix.
- Analyze requirements and support the implementation of application changes.
- Troubleshoot application issues and contribute to timely resolution.
- Collaborate effectively with internal teams and client stakeholders.
- Communicate project updates, technical findings, and potential risks clearly.
Work model:
We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Wayne, NJ. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs
The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. These may change based on the project you are engaged in, as well as evolving business and client requirements. We will always be transparent about role expectations.
Please note: Some roles may require in‑person interviews at Cognizant offices or client locations based on project needs.
What you need to have to be considered
- Strong hands-on development experience with C and Unix.
- Experience performing application development and maintenance activities.
- Ability to analyze and troubleshoot application issues.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Effective client and stakeholder management skills.
This will help you stand out
- Experience supporting business-critical applications in a client-facing environment.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate with distributed teams.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting abilities.
Salary and Other Compensation:
The annual salary for this position is between $72,444 to $142,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits:
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
- Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
- 401(k) plan and contributions
- Long-term/Short-term Disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Disclaimer:
The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
About the role
As a C and Unix Developer, you will make an impact by supporting the development and maintenance of applications built using C and Unix technologies. You will collaborate with client stakeholders and internal teams to understand requirements, support application needs, and contribute to dependable technology solutions.
In this role, you will:
- Perform application development and maintenance activities using C and Unix.
- Analyze requirements and support the implementation of application changes.
- Troubleshoot application issues and contribute to timely resolution.
- Collaborate effectively with internal teams and client stakeholders.
- Communicate project updates, technical findings, and potential risks clearly.
Work model:
We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Wayne, NJ. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs
The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. These may change based on the project you are engaged in, as well as evolving business and client requirements. We will always be transparent about role expectations.
Please note: Some roles may require in‑person interviews at Cognizant offices or client locations based on project needs.
What you need to have to be considered
- Strong hands-on development experience with C and Unix.
- Experience performing application development and maintenance activities.
- Ability to analyze and troubleshoot application issues.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Effective client and stakeholder management skills.
This will help you stand out
- Experience supporting business-critical applications in a client-facing environment.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate with distributed teams.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting abilities.
Salary and Other Compensation:
The annual salary for this position is between $72,444 to $142,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits:
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
- Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
- 401(k) plan and contributions
- Long-term/Short-term Disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Disclaimer:
The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
C Software Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software32
- Consulting & Professional Services8
- Investment & Asset Management6
- Manufacturing4
- Aerospace & Defense2
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in C software engineer jobs.
- Proficiency in C with demonstrated experience in systems or embedded development
- Familiarity with memory management, pointers, and low-level debugging techniques
- Experience with real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or QNX
- Knowledge of hardware interfaces including UART, SPI, I2C, and CAN protocols
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field
- Experience with version control systems and build tools such as Git, Make, or CMake
Tips for Your C Software Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume for low-level depth
Hiring managers for c software engineer roles look for explicit evidence of memory management, pointer arithmetic, and systems-level design. Don't bury these under high-level languages. Lead with C experience, name the hardware or OS targets you've written for, and quantify constraints like latency or footprint.
List your toolchain and build environment
Many c software engineer postings screen for specific toolchains: GCC, Clang, Make, CMake, or proprietary embedded IDEs. Add a dedicated tools section to your resume that names the debuggers, analyzers, and version control setups you've used, especially on bare-metal or RTOS projects.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists c software engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target industries that rely on C specifically
Filter your search by sector rather than job title alone. Defense contractors, automotive OEMs, industrial automation firms, and telecom equipment makers hire c software engineers at volume and often can't substitute another language. Focusing your search on these sectors surfaces openings where your skills are required, not just preferred.
Prepare for code reviews in the interview
Most c software engineer technical screens include a code review round where you diagnose memory leaks, undefined behavior, or unsafe pointer usage in someone else's code. Practice reading unfamiliar C codebases aloud and articulating why a construct is dangerous before your interview, not just writing new code from scratch.
Negotiate on scope and hardware access
When you reach the offer stage, ask what hardware and development kits you'll have direct access to. For embedded and systems roles, the answer reveals how much hands-on work the position actually involves versus integration or glue-code work. It's a legitimate negotiating point and shows technical seriousness to the hiring team.
C Software Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most c software engineers?
The companies hiring the most c software engineers right now include Garmin, Akina, and Esri, with the largest share of openings in California, New York, and Maryland, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Defense contractors, automotive suppliers, and industrial equipment manufacturers consistently account for a large portion of active postings.
How many c software engineer jobs are remote?
About 59% of c software engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, which is lower than many software engineering roles because the work often requires direct access to hardware and lab equipment. Systems programming and firmware development positions are the least remote-friendly, while backend infrastructure and tooling roles written in C tend to offer more flexibility.
How do you become a c software engineer?
Start by building a strong foundation in C through coursework or self-study focused on memory management, data structures, and operating system concepts. Work on projects that target real hardware or a real OS, such as a small embedded device or a custom kernel module. Contribute to open-source C projects to build a portfolio, then apply to entry-level embedded or systems roles where C is the primary language.
Can you get hired as a c software engineer without much experience?
You can get hired with limited experience if you demonstrate concrete, hands-on C work. Build and share a project that involves direct memory management or hardware interaction, such as a bare-metal microcontroller program or a custom data structure library. Internships at defense, automotive, or industrial firms are a practical entry point because those sectors hire junior engineers specifically to develop C skills on the job.
What does the c software engineer interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a recruiter screen, followed by a technical phone interview covering C fundamentals like pointer behavior, memory allocation, and undefined behavior. A take-home or live coding exercise usually comes next, often involving low-level systems code or debugging a flawed C program. Final rounds commonly include a code review exercise and a design discussion about a real-time or resource-constrained system.
Where can I find and apply to c software engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to c software engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 259+ C Software Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find C Software Engineer Jobs