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 Google, Ouster, and ZipLine. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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SF Bay Area, California | Fully On-site
We are seeking an Embedded Software Engineer – Wearables & Edge Systems to work at the intersection of wearable hardware, firmware, cloud systems, and real-time AI infrastructure.
The Opportunity
This role sits closest to the physical device and requires genuine firmware experience combined with strong systems and backend engineering capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Work directly with wearable-device firmware and hardware platforms.
- Flash, configure, adapt, and integrate vendor firmware and device software.
- Work with embedded Linux, RTOS environments, and/or device SDKs.
- Evaluate camera, sensor, compute, battery, thermal, and latency requirements.
- Contribute to hardware specifications and technical discussions with external manufacturing partners.
- Develop backend infrastructure supporting real-time multimodal data pipelines.
- Work close to the system layer using technologies such as C, C++, or Rust where appropriate.
- Own components across device, backend, and cloud infrastructure.
Required Qualifications
- Approximately 1 to 4 years of relevant engineering experience, with flexibility for exceptional candidates.
- Hands-on firmware or embedded systems experience.
- Experience with embedded Linux, RTOS, device SDKs, or comparable low-level systems.
- Strong backend or systems engineering fundamentals.
- Comfort working close to hardware and debugging across software and device boundaries.
- Experience shipping production systems in fast-moving engineering environments.
Candidate Profile
Relevant backgrounds include robotics, drones, autonomous vehicles, wearables, industrial devices, defense technology, embedded systems, and other hardware-constrained environments.
Work Arrangement
The role is fully in person in the San Francisco Bay Area, initially in Burlingame and later in San Francisco.
Work Authorization
Candidates must be able to work in the United States. Certain visa sponsorship and transfer scenarios are available for candidates already in the United States. New petitions processed from abroad are not currently supported.
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Find JobsEmbedded Software Engineer Job Market in San Francisco
Who's Hiring
- Google30
- Ouster30
- ZipLine30
- DoorDash30
- NEURALINK30
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research90
- Manufacturing30
- Consulting & Professional Services30
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 Google, Ouster, and ZipLine, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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 20% of embedded software engineer openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of September 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 Science & Research, Manufacturing, and Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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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