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.
Find Embedded JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 513+ Embedded jobs











SUMMARY
Do you love crafting elegant solutions to highly sophisticated challenges? As part of our Silicon Technologies group, you’ll help design and manufacture our next-generation, high-performance, power-efficient processor, system-on-chip (SoC). You’ll ensure Apple products and services can seamlessly and efficiently handle the tasks that make them beloved by millions. Joining this group means you’ll be responsible for crafting and building the technology that fuels Apple’s devices. Together, we will enable our customers to do all the things they love with their devices! At Apple, we go beyond the industry norm and demonstrate creativity in problem solving, ability to think dynamically and outside of standard convention, and adapt quickly to new technical areas. We promote innovation and new technology. The people who work here have reinvented and defined entire industries with the Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision, Apple TV, AirPods, HomePod and a multitude of groundbreaking Accessories. We have done the same with services, including iTunes, the App Store, Apple Music, and Apple Pay. The same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices — strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it. You should join us to help deliver the next amazing Apple product! Joining Apple as an Embedded Software Engineer for SoC Factory Support, you will craft and implement embedded software for System on a Chip (SoC) bring up and test. You will write software for Apple silicon in a production boot loader environment. You will work closely with the Product Engineering teams to bring up new silicon on device and ensure the SoC quality when manufactured.
DESCRIPTION
- Design and implementation of firmware for SoC bring up, validation, and test.
- Identify, analyze and root-cause SoC failures in the factory.
- Enhance and maintain the development and debug environments, tools and methodologies.
- Support of functional test environment for device characterization, failure analysis, and mass production.
- Generate post-silicon directed diagnostic and stress test cases and debugging failure cases using multiple HW and low level SW platforms.
- Use of soft skills and data driven approach to effectively collaborate and participate in multi-team discussions and decision-making.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or related field.
- Minimum of 3+ years of software development/validation experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Embedded software experience, including debugging and characterization
- Experience with embedded C programming
- Experience on SoC silicon bring up/power up
- Experience with problem solving and delivery of high volume and high quality SW
- Experience debugging boot loader is a plus
- Experience using laboratory equipment (e.g., logic analyzer, digital oscilloscope) is a plus
- Strong communication skills
COMPENSATION
- Base pay range for this role is between $150,400 and $277,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
Apple believes accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
See All 513+ 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
- Amazon27

- Apple24

- Tesla19

- Qualcomm15

- Northrop Grumman15

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software28
- Manufacturing11
- Science & Research10
- Electronics & Hardware8
- Automotive6
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 Amazon, Apple, and Tesla, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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 San Diego, Sunnyvale, and Los Angeles. 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 40% of embedded openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 513+ Embedded Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Embedded Jobs