Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in California
Embedded Software Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in aerospace and defense, automotive systems, consumer electronics, and semiconductor design at levels from entry-level firmware developer through principal engineer. The largest hiring metros are San Jose, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers like Qualcomm, Broadcom, and Northrop Grumman maintain deep engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties include RTOS development, automotive embedded systems, and low-level firmware for wireless communication chips. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 300+ Embedded Software Engineer jobs
About Varda
Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.
From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About This Role
The Senior Embedded Software Engineer on the Flight Software team is responsible for determining how our spacecraft behaves & operates in orbit and building reliable software to ensure it happens. They are responsible for all phases of development, starting from requirements capture through testing and flight operational support.
Responsibilities
- Develop reliable firmware to control how the spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule operate through the entire mission.
- Own all aspects of software development, from design, testing, and integration.
- Scope projects including requirements capture and initial design trades given open-ended problems.
- Write quality structured bare metal, RTOS, or Linux based software for embedded processors in C++.
- Build highly reliable and available software systems.
- Ensure system quality and performance through software test, verification, and validation (V&V) techniques.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, physics, engineering or equivalent technical experience in safety critical software.
- 5+ years of experience in the development of spacecraft or similar safety critical software.
- Experience developing and testing real-time embedded hardware / software systems.
- Experience with development in C++, along with a strong understanding of language concepts.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience with safety-critical software, especially for aerospace applications.
- Experience with additional programming languages such as Python or Rust.
- Strong understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, data structures, and computer networking.
Pay Range
- Salary range: Senior Software Engineer: $169,067 - $216,031/ per year.
- This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA.
- Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance.
- You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards.
Benefits
Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.
Regular Full-Time Positions:
Health & Wellness
- Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
- 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
- Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
- $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
- 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
- Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
- Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Financial & Retirement
- Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
- 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
- Relocation support for new hires, if needed
Workplace Experience & Perks
- Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
Benefits for Internship Positions:
Health & Wellness
- Paid observed holidays.
- 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
- $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.
- Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.
Financial
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.
- Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
- Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.
Workplace Experience & Perks
- Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
ITAR Requirements
Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
"US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).
E-Verify Statement
Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
Read more Read more
Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
About Varda
Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.
From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About This Role
The Senior Embedded Software Engineer on the Flight Software team is responsible for determining how our spacecraft behaves & operates in orbit and building reliable software to ensure it happens. They are responsible for all phases of development, starting from requirements capture through testing and flight operational support.
Responsibilities
- Develop reliable firmware to control how the spacecraft, satellite bus, and reentry capsule operate through the entire mission.
- Own all aspects of software development, from design, testing, and integration.
- Scope projects including requirements capture and initial design trades given open-ended problems.
- Write quality structured bare metal, RTOS, or Linux based software for embedded processors in C++.
- Build highly reliable and available software systems.
- Ensure system quality and performance through software test, verification, and validation (V&V) techniques.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, physics, engineering or equivalent technical experience in safety critical software.
- 5+ years of experience in the development of spacecraft or similar safety critical software.
- Experience developing and testing real-time embedded hardware / software systems.
- Experience with development in C++, along with a strong understanding of language concepts.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience with safety-critical software, especially for aerospace applications.
- Experience with additional programming languages such as Python or Rust.
- Strong understanding of computer architecture, operating systems, data structures, and computer networking.
Pay Range
- Salary range: Senior Software Engineer: $169,067 - $216,031/ per year.
- This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA.
- Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance.
- You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards.
Benefits
Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.
Regular Full-Time Positions:
Health & Wellness
- Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
- 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
- Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
- $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
- 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
- Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
- Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Financial & Retirement
- Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
- 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
- Relocation support for new hires, if needed
Workplace Experience & Perks
- Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
Benefits for Internship Positions:
Health & Wellness
- Paid observed holidays.
- 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
- $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.
- Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.
Financial
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.
- Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
- Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.
Workplace Experience & Perks
- Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
ITAR Requirements
Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
"US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).
E-Verify Statement
Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
Read more Read more
Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
See All 300+ Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEmbedded Software Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Embedded Software Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman21
- Google13
- Tesla12
- Qualcomm11
- Amazon11
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software25
- Manufacturing9
- Electronics & Hardware8
- Science & Research7
- Automotive5
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in embedded software engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science required
- Proficiency in C or C++ for low-level embedded and firmware development
- Experience with real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or QNX
- Familiarity with hardware debugging tools including JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
- Knowledge of communication protocols including UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, or Ethernet
- Experience with version control systems and embedded software development lifecycle practices
Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an embedded software engineer in California?
Embedded software engineering in California does not require a state-issued license, but most employers expect a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science. California's concentration of aerospace contractors, semiconductor companies, and automotive tech firms means hands-on experience with firmware, RTOS, or hardware-software integration is weighted heavily in hiring. Building a portfolio of embedded projects and targeting associate or junior engineer roles at mid-size California defense or chip companies is the most direct path into the field.
How much do embedded software engineers make in California?
Embedded software engineers in California earn a median of about $174,410 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $105,060 for the lowest 10% to over $272,670 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire embedded software engineers in California?
Employers hiring embedded software engineers in California right now include Northrop Grumman, Google, and Tesla, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's aerospace corridor in Southern California and its semiconductor cluster in Silicon Valley mean both defense primes and fabless chip companies are consistently active in this market.
Which California cities have the most embedded software engineer jobs?
San Diego, Sunnyvale, and Los Angeles have the most embedded software engineer openings in California. San Jose anchors demand through its dense concentration of semiconductor and wireless hardware companies, while San Diego's strong defense and telecom sectors drive steady hiring, and Los Angeles draws engineers into aerospace, automotive tech, and consumer electronics firms headquartered across the metro.
Are there remote embedded software engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused roles because embedded work often requires hands-on access to hardware, lab equipment, and prototype boards. About 32% of embedded software engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to involve higher-level firmware architecture, code review, or software integration work that can be done away from the bench.
How can I get hired as an embedded software engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to associate embedded engineer or firmware engineer roles at mid-size California defense contractors and semiconductor companies, many of which hire new graduates directly from California engineering programs. Companies like Qualcomm and Broadcom run structured new-graduate hiring cycles, and aerospace contractors in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas routinely bring in junior engineers from Cal Poly, UC San Diego, and UC Davis. Lateral moves from electrical engineering technician or hardware test engineer roles are common, and a portfolio of personal embedded projects or FPGA work gives candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to embedded software engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to embedded software engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the California market. Search the listings for roles that match your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 300+ Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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