Embedded Jobs in Virginia
Embedded jobs in Virginia are consistently in demand, driven by the state's dense concentration of defense contractors, federal agencies, and technology firms stretching from Northern Virginia through Richmond down to Hampton Roads. Hiring ranges from entry-level firmware developers to senior embedded systems architects, with the heaviest activity in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Norfolk area. Employers like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Raytheon Technologies have long-standing Virginia operations and regularly recruit for embedded roles in areas such as real-time operating systems, hardware-software integration, and secure communications firmware. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Successful candidates will bring extensive hands-on experience designing, developing, and deploying tools at the intersection of command and control, persistence, and networking.
This role is suited for highly experienced security researchers who are comfortable working at the lowest levels of software and system analysis, including reverse engineering compiled programs, analyzing assembly, and developing custom research capabilities.
Required Qualifications
- TS/SCI Clearance is mandatory
- Highly experienced with reverse engineering compiled programs (C/C++).
- Highly experienced in reading common assembly languages, including x86, x86-64, and ARM.
- Experience developing in scripting languages, including Python.
- Experience working with debuggers and decompilers such as gdb, Binja, and IDA Pro.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience developing/defeating mitigations, including ASLR, DEP, N^X.
- Experience developing defeats of common anti-RE techniques, including obfuscation.
- Detailed understanding of embedded platforms (FPGA, physical memory).
- Experience securely implementing cryptographic primitives, including AES-GCM, SHA256, ECDSA.
- Experience with program analysis tools and techniques, including control flow, program slicing, and taint tracing.
- Effective use of automated analysis, including fuzzers, emulation, and sandbox.
- Deep knowledge of file systems and formats, including ELF, PE, and Mach-O.
- Strong ability to communicate effectively with customers and teammates.
Application Question(s):
- Do you have professional experience reading and analyzing x86, x86-64, and/or ARM assembly?
- Do you have extensive professional experience reverse engineering compiled C/C++ programs?
- Do you have hands-on professional experience using reverse engineering and debugging tools such as IDA Pro, Binja, or gdb?
Work Location: In person
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Find Embedded JobsEmbedded Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Embedded Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Retail
- Aerospace & Defense
- Technology & Software
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in embedded jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
- Proficiency in C or C++ programming for resource-constrained embedded environments
- Experience with real-time operating systems such as VxWorks, FreeRTOS, or QNX
- Familiarity with hardware debugging tools including JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
- Active or obtainable U.S. security clearance, commonly required by Virginia defense contractors
- Experience with communication protocols including CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, or Ethernet
Embedded Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a embedded in Virginia?
Becoming an embedded engineer in Virginia typically starts with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field. Virginia does not require a state-issued license specific to embedded engineering, though professional engineers pursuing licensure can register with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Most Virginia employers expect hands-on coursework, a demonstrable project portfolio, and familiarity with C or C++ before interviewing candidates at any level.
Which companies hire embeddeds in Virginia?
Employers hiring embeddeds in Virginia right now include Northrop Grumman, STR, and Arcfield, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's defense and federal technology sector means many of these employers also require candidates to hold or be eligible for a security clearance.
Which Virginia cities have the most embedded jobs?
Arlington, McLean, and Herndon account for the most embedded openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates because of its proximity to the Pentagon, federal agencies, and the dense cluster of defense primes and government IT contractors headquartered there, while Richmond and Hampton Roads generate demand through their own defense, energy, and advanced manufacturing employers.
Are there remote embedded jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. Embedded roles require hands-on work with physical hardware, making full remote arrangements uncommon compared to purely software fields. About 47% of embedded openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to involve software-side responsibilities like firmware development or simulation rather than bench-level hardware bring-up.
How can I get hired as a embedded in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to junior or associate embedded engineer roles at Virginia's large defense contractors, where structured new-grad programs at employers like Northrop Grumman and Leidos regularly onboard candidates without professional experience. Building a portfolio of capstone or personal projects using microcontrollers and posting the code publicly strengthens applications considerably. Candidates who transition from adjacent roles in hardware testing, RF engineering, or systems integration also find it easier to break in, and pursuing an entry-level security clearance early removes a common barrier.
Where can I find and apply to embedded jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to embedded jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across the state's defense, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 41 Embedded Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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