Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA
Embedded Software Engineer jobs in San Francisco are in strong demand, concentrated in SoMa, Mission Bay, and the Financial District across consumer electronics, defense technology, semiconductors, and autonomous systems. Employers hiring right now include Airwallex, Plaid, and DoorDash. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Position Overview
We are seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to help design, develop, and optimize embedded software for custom imaging systems. This role focuses on software bring-up, sensor integration, Linux device drivers, and hardware-software interaction within advanced camera and imaging platforms.
You will work closely with hardware, test, and product teams to bring cutting-edge imaging technology into production.
Responsibilities
- Develop and optimize Linux device drivers for sensors and peripherals.
- Enable and integrate custom imaging sensors into embedded platforms.
- Modify and maintain Android BSPs and embedded Linux environments.
- Debug complex hardware and software issues across embedded systems.
- Collaborate with hardware engineers to validate and optimize performance.
- Support system bring-up activities for new hardware platforms.
- Document software architecture, testing procedures, and implementation details.
Required Qualifications
- 1–5 years of embedded software engineering experience.
- Strong programming experience in C.
- Experience with Embedded Linux development.
- Experience integrating hardware peripherals and sensors.
- Strong debugging skills involving low-level hardware and software interactions.
- Experience using Git-based development workflows.
- STEM degree such as Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
Preferred Qualifications
- Camera driver development experience.
- Experience with Image Signal Processing (ISP) pipelines.
- Android BSP customization experience.
- Experience with imaging systems, computer vision hardware, or edge AI devices.
- Familiarity with C++.
Technology Stack
- Embedded Linux
- Linux Kernel
- C
- Git
- Android BSP
- Camera Drivers
- Imaging Sensors
Ideal Background
Candidates from:
- Autonomous Vehicle Companies
- Automotive Electronics
- Defense Technology
- Aerospace Systems
- Imaging Hardware Companies
- Camera Manufacturers
- Edge AI Hardware Companies
- Robotics Organizations
Examples include Qualcomm, NVIDIA, Ambarella, Teledyne FLIR, Anduril, Shield AI, Skydio, Cruise, Waymo, Zoox, Aurora, DJI, Sony Imaging, Canon, Bosch, Continental, Aptiv, Magna, or similar organizations.
Pay: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
Position Overview
We are seeking an Embedded Software Engineer to help design, develop, and optimize embedded software for custom imaging systems. This role focuses on software bring-up, sensor integration, Linux device drivers, and hardware-software interaction within advanced camera and imaging platforms.
You will work closely with hardware, test, and product teams to bring cutting-edge imaging technology into production.
Responsibilities
- Develop and optimize Linux device drivers for sensors and peripherals.
- Enable and integrate custom imaging sensors into embedded platforms.
- Modify and maintain Android BSPs and embedded Linux environments.
- Debug complex hardware and software issues across embedded systems.
- Collaborate with hardware engineers to validate and optimize performance.
- Support system bring-up activities for new hardware platforms.
- Document software architecture, testing procedures, and implementation details.
Required Qualifications
- 1–5 years of embedded software engineering experience.
- Strong programming experience in C.
- Experience with Embedded Linux development.
- Experience integrating hardware peripherals and sensors.
- Strong debugging skills involving low-level hardware and software interactions.
- Experience using Git-based development workflows.
- STEM degree such as Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
Preferred Qualifications
- Camera driver development experience.
- Experience with Image Signal Processing (ISP) pipelines.
- Android BSP customization experience.
- Experience with imaging systems, computer vision hardware, or edge AI devices.
- Familiarity with C++.
Technology Stack
- Embedded Linux
- Linux Kernel
- C
- Git
- Android BSP
- Camera Drivers
- Imaging Sensors
Ideal Background
Candidates from:
- Autonomous Vehicle Companies
- Automotive Electronics
- Defense Technology
- Aerospace Systems
- Imaging Hardware Companies
- Camera Manufacturers
- Edge AI Hardware Companies
- Robotics Organizations
Examples include Qualcomm, NVIDIA, Ambarella, Teledyne FLIR, Anduril, Shield AI, Skydio, Cruise, Waymo, Zoox, Aurora, DJI, Sony Imaging, Canon, Bosch, Continental, Aptiv, Magna, or similar organizations.
Pay: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
See All 23 Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in San Francisco
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Find JobsEmbedded Software Engineer Job Market in San Francisco
Who's Hiring
- Airwallex5
- Plaid2
- DoorDash2
- Skild AI2
- Capgemini2
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software8
- Banking & Financial Services4
- Science & Research3
- Artificial Intelligence2
- Consulting & Professional Services2
Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a embedded software engineer job in San Francisco?
Target the hardware-heavy companies concentrated in SoMa, Mission Bay, and the Dogpatch, where consumer electronics, robotics, and autonomous vehicle firms cluster. Deep experience with real-time operating systems, firmware development, and low-level C or C++ gives candidates a clear edge here. Networking through the Bay Area's dense hardware startup community and contributing to open-source embedded projects helps you stand out in a competitive local market.
Which companies hire embedded software engineers in San Francisco?
Employers hiring embedded software engineers in San Francisco right now include Airwallex, Plaid, and DoorDash, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. San Francisco draws a mix of established hardware companies, defense contractors with Bay Area offices, and well-funded startups building devices in robotics, medtech, and consumer electronics.
Are there remote embedded software engineer jobs in San Francisco?
Yes, though remote work is less common for embedded software engineers than for purely software-focused roles, since the work often requires hands-on access to hardware, lab equipment, or physical prototypes. About 8% of embedded software engineer openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. Firmware architecture, code review, and simulation-based development are the functions most likely to be performed remotely.
How can I get a embedded software engineer job in San Francisco with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Francisco is targeting hardware startups in SoMa and Mission Bay that hire junior engineers for bring-up and testing support roles. Building a portfolio of personal embedded projects using platforms like STM32 or Raspberry Pi demonstrates hands-on ability before your first professional role. Internships at Bay Area consumer electronics and robotics companies, and involvement in San Francisco-area hardware meetups and Hackspace communities, help build the local connections that often lead to entry-level offers.
Which industries hire the most embedded software engineers in San Francisco?
The sectors hiring the most embedded software engineers in San Francisco are Technology & Software, Banking & Financial Services, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. San Francisco's concentration of venture-backed hardware startups, alongside established defense and semiconductor firms with Bay Area operations, keeps demand for embedded talent consistently high across those sectors.
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