Embedded Jobs in California
Embedded jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the defense, aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics industries, with openings at every level from entry-level firmware engineer through senior systems architect. The highest hiring activity is in San Jose, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where companies like Qualcomm, Apple, and Northrop Grumman maintain deep engineering footprints and consistent demand for embedded talent. The most sought-after specialties in California are real-time operating systems, embedded Linux, and firmware development for wireless and automotive applications. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 794+ Embedded jobs
INTRODUCTION
WindBorne Systems is supercharging weather models with a unique proprietary data source: a global constellation of next-generation smart weather balloons targeting the most critical atmospheric data. We design, manufacture, and operate our own balloons, using the data they collect to generate otherwise unattainable weather intelligence. Our mission is to eliminate weather uncertainty, and in the process help humanity adapt to climate change, be that predicting hurricanes or speeding the adoption of renewables. We are building a future in which the planet is instrumented by thousands of our microballoons, eliminating gaps in our understanding of the planet and giving people and businesses the information they need to make critical decisions. The founding team of Stanford engineers was named Forbes 2019 30 under 30 and is backed by top investors including Khosla Ventures. WindBorne is looking for an Embedded Electrical Engineer to run hardware design, initial bringup, hardware debug, and manufacturing support of a number of key elements of our flight hardware and ground support systems. We're seeking someone who can jump between PCB design in the morning, debugging firmware in the afternoon, and searching DigiKey at night; someone who finds satisfaction in making things work in theory, in practice, and at scale, and in running through those stages as quickly as PCBA turnaround times permit. This role is for someone who would be unfulfilled designing predictable power supplies or standard microcontroller boards. Instead, you’ll be creating systems that can reliably operate from -70°C to +40°C using components that are entirely unrated for such a task, while counting every gram and milliwatt. We aren't looking for someone who wants to spend weeks designing the theoretically perfect circuit. Rather, we need someone who can quickly ship a design that doesn’t appear to be broken, and who genuinely enjoys spending a day at the bench playing electrical whac-a-mole when something inevitably is. The ideal candidate will understand and contribute to the big picture to ensure effort is directed only where it is most useful, while spending most of the day on the messy details of building the world’s largest balloon constellation.
Responsibilities
- Design, prototype, and test PCBs for critical new flight and ground systems
- Develop firmware for initial bringup of new boards and custom testing of existing boards
- Troubleshoot and resolve (only the most pressing) issues on existing hardware
- Conduct comprehensive bench and environmental testing to validate electrical systems under extreme conditions
- Work closely with mechanical engineers to ensure proper integration on a vehicle with about as many structural PCBs as custom 3D parts
- Support flight operations with troubleshooting of deployed hardware via realtime telemetry
- Coordinate PCBA manufacturing for both R&D and production
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Strong fundamentals in embedded circuit and system design
- Hands-on experience troubleshooting circuit boards and electronic assemblies
- Proficiency with reading schematics and datasheets
- Familiarity with embedded firmware development (C/C++)
- Familiarity with common communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART)
- Experience with PCB layout and design tools (we use Altium)
- Comfort with lab equipment including oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers
- Interest in the underlying physics
- Being the type of person who enjoys applying increasingly cursed out of the box solutions in order to reduce part count and complexity
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or related field
- Interest in RF system development and antenna design
- Deep knowledge of power management circuit design
- Ability to solder 0402 components by hand without wanting to cry
BENEFITS
- 401(k)
- Health, Dental, and Vision insurance 100% covered
- Unlimited PTO
- Incentive Stock Option Plan
- Office food and beverages (minimum 2x catered lunches & dinners a week)
SALARY
- $120k-$200k**
We are considering a range of backgrounds and experience levels for this position and adjust our offers accordingly to be competitive with market rates.
LOCATION
Location 1600 Bridge Parkway, Redwood Shores, CA. In person required. The position is in-person.
What our hardware looks like
INTRODUCTION
WindBorne Systems is supercharging weather models with a unique proprietary data source: a global constellation of next-generation smart weather balloons targeting the most critical atmospheric data. We design, manufacture, and operate our own balloons, using the data they collect to generate otherwise unattainable weather intelligence. Our mission is to eliminate weather uncertainty, and in the process help humanity adapt to climate change, be that predicting hurricanes or speeding the adoption of renewables. We are building a future in which the planet is instrumented by thousands of our microballoons, eliminating gaps in our understanding of the planet and giving people and businesses the information they need to make critical decisions. The founding team of Stanford engineers was named Forbes 2019 30 under 30 and is backed by top investors including Khosla Ventures. WindBorne is looking for an Embedded Electrical Engineer to run hardware design, initial bringup, hardware debug, and manufacturing support of a number of key elements of our flight hardware and ground support systems. We're seeking someone who can jump between PCB design in the morning, debugging firmware in the afternoon, and searching DigiKey at night; someone who finds satisfaction in making things work in theory, in practice, and at scale, and in running through those stages as quickly as PCBA turnaround times permit. This role is for someone who would be unfulfilled designing predictable power supplies or standard microcontroller boards. Instead, you’ll be creating systems that can reliably operate from -70°C to +40°C using components that are entirely unrated for such a task, while counting every gram and milliwatt. We aren't looking for someone who wants to spend weeks designing the theoretically perfect circuit. Rather, we need someone who can quickly ship a design that doesn’t appear to be broken, and who genuinely enjoys spending a day at the bench playing electrical whac-a-mole when something inevitably is. The ideal candidate will understand and contribute to the big picture to ensure effort is directed only where it is most useful, while spending most of the day on the messy details of building the world’s largest balloon constellation.
Responsibilities
- Design, prototype, and test PCBs for critical new flight and ground systems
- Develop firmware for initial bringup of new boards and custom testing of existing boards
- Troubleshoot and resolve (only the most pressing) issues on existing hardware
- Conduct comprehensive bench and environmental testing to validate electrical systems under extreme conditions
- Work closely with mechanical engineers to ensure proper integration on a vehicle with about as many structural PCBs as custom 3D parts
- Support flight operations with troubleshooting of deployed hardware via realtime telemetry
- Coordinate PCBA manufacturing for both R&D and production
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Strong fundamentals in embedded circuit and system design
- Hands-on experience troubleshooting circuit boards and electronic assemblies
- Proficiency with reading schematics and datasheets
- Familiarity with embedded firmware development (C/C++)
- Familiarity with common communication protocols (SPI, I2C, UART)
- Experience with PCB layout and design tools (we use Altium)
- Comfort with lab equipment including oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers
- Interest in the underlying physics
- Being the type of person who enjoys applying increasingly cursed out of the box solutions in order to reduce part count and complexity
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or related field
- Interest in RF system development and antenna design
- Deep knowledge of power management circuit design
- Ability to solder 0402 components by hand without wanting to cry
BENEFITS
- 401(k)
- Health, Dental, and Vision insurance 100% covered
- Unlimited PTO
- Incentive Stock Option Plan
- Office food and beverages (minimum 2x catered lunches & dinners a week)
SALARY
- $120k-$200k**
We are considering a range of backgrounds and experience levels for this position and adjust our offers accordingly to be competitive with market rates.
LOCATION
Location 1600 Bridge Parkway, Redwood Shores, CA. In person required. The position is in-person.
What our hardware looks like
See All 794+ Embedded Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Embedded JobsEmbedded Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Embedded Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple86
- NVIDIA55
- Qualcomm55
- Amazon31
- Google29
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software265
- Electronics & Hardware247
- Automotive59
- Consulting & Professional Services47
- Science & Research46
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in embedded jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
- Proficiency in C or C++ for low-level hardware and firmware development
- Experience with real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or embedded Linux
- Familiarity with hardware communication protocols including SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN
- Hands-on experience debugging embedded systems using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or JTAG tools
- Experience with version control systems and cross-platform toolchains for ARM or RISC-V targets
Embedded Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a embedded in California?
Most embedded roles in California require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science, as there is no state-issued license specific to embedded engineering. California employers typically expect hands-on experience with embedded C or C++, microcontroller development, and at least one real-time operating system. Building a portfolio of firmware projects, contributing to open-source embedded repositories, or completing an internship at a California hardware company are the most direct paths to landing a first role.
Which companies hire embeddeds in California?
Employers hiring embeddeds in California right now include Apple, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, semiconductor companies, and consumer electronics firms makes it one of the most consistent states for embedded hiring year-round.
Which California cities have the most embedded jobs?
The cities with the most embedded openings in California are Santa Clara, San Jose, and Sunnyvale. San Jose and the broader Bay Area drive much of the volume through semiconductor and consumer electronics companies headquartered there, while San Diego's defense and wireless communications sector anchors strong demand in the south, and Los Angeles draws from its aerospace and automotive technology industries.
Are there remote embedded jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Embedded work is largely hands-on, requiring access to hardware, lab equipment, and physical prototypes, which limits remote options compared to purely software roles. About 11% of embedded openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to focus on firmware review, software bring-up, or driver development that can be completed without a physical bench.
How can I get hired as a embedded in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-grad hardware or firmware engineering programs at large California employers like Qualcomm, Apple, or defense contractors in San Diego and Los Angeles that regularly recruit from California's engineering schools. Lateral entry from adjacent roles such as hardware test engineer, FPGA validation engineer, or electronics technician is common, since those positions build the bench skills embedded teams value. A GitHub portfolio demonstrating a completed microcontroller or RTOS project gives candidates without professional experience a concrete edge in the application process.
Where can I find and apply to embedded jobs in California?
You can find and apply to embedded jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly to each one through the listing.
See All 794+ Embedded Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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