Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in defense electronics, aerospace systems, cybersecurity platforms, and federal contracting across every level from junior firmware developer through principal systems engineer. The heaviest hiring is in Northern Virginia, the Hampton Roads corridor, and the Richmond metro, where established names like Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and Booz Allen Hamilton maintain large engineering footprints. The most in-demand specialties are real-time operating systems, RTOS firmware, hardware-software integration for defense platforms, and secure embedded communications. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles30
Top employerNorthrop Grumman
Top cityArlington, VA
Cities hiring13
Work type42% On-site
Top industryRetail

Showing 5 of 30+ Embedded Software Engineer jobs

GrammaTech
Senior Embedded Security Software Engineer
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GrammaTech
Added 1d ago
Senior Embedded Security Software Engineer
GrammaTech
Herndon, Virginia
Customer Service
Customer Support
$130k - $190k/yr
Remote (US)

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Northrop Grumman
Embedded Software Engineer – Level 3 or 4 (AHT)
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Northrop Grumman
Added 2d ago
Embedded Software Engineer – Level 3 or 4 (AHT)
Northrop Grumman
Dulles, Virginia
Backend Engineering
Data Science
Software Engineering
$114k - $171k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

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TRUSTPOINT
Embedded Software Engineer
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TRUSTPOINT
Added 6d ago
Embedded Software Engineer
TRUSTPOINT
Dulles, Virginia
Compliance & Risk
Cybersecurity
Security Engineering
$123k - $151k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

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STR
Lead Embedded Software Architect
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STR
Added 6d ago
Lead Embedded Software Architect
STR
Arlington, Virginia
Business Development
Partnerships & Business Development
Sales
$174k - $225k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
501-1,000

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SimVentions
Embedded Firmware Developer
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SimVentions
Added 6d ago
Embedded Firmware Developer
SimVentions
Dahlgren, Virginia
IT Support
Network Engineering
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
$79k - $110k/yr
On-Site
201-500

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See All 30 Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

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Embedded Software Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Arlington
6 jobs
Herndon
4 jobs
Dulles
3 jobs
Dahlgren
3 jobs
Sterling
3 jobs
McLean
2 jobs
Reston
1 job
Ashburn
1 job
Fairfax
1 job

Embedded Software Engineer Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman5 open roles
Arcfield
Arcfield2 open roles
Trident Systems
Trident Systems2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Retail
  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Technology & Software
  • E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in embedded software engineer jobs across Virginia.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science required
  • Active DoD Secret or Top Secret security clearance strongly preferred for Virginia roles
  • Proficiency in C and C++ for embedded and bare-metal development environments
  • Experience with real-time operating systems such as VxWorks, FreeRTOS, or RTEMS
  • Familiarity with hardware debugging tools including JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
  • Knowledge of communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, or MIL-STD-1553

Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a embedded software engineer in Virginia?

Embedded software engineering in Virginia does not require a state-issued license, but most roles demand a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science from an accredited program. Because so many Virginia employers are defense contractors, obtaining a DoD security clearance early is the most impactful step a candidate can take. Graduates from Virginia Tech, George Mason University, and the University of Virginia are well recognized by Virginia's large federal and defense employers.

How much do embedded software engineers make in Virginia?

Embedded software engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $136,460 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $83,350 for the lowest 10% to over $211,930 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire embedded software engineers in Virginia?

Employers hiring embedded software engineers in Virginia right now include Northrop Grumman, Arcfield, and Trident Systems, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's concentration of defense and intelligence contractors means a significant share of openings require candidates to hold or be eligible for a federal security clearance.

Which Virginia cities have the most embedded software engineer jobs?

The cities with the most embedded software engineer openings in Virginia are Arlington, Herndon, and Dulles. Northern Virginia dominates because of its dense cluster of defense primes and federal agencies, while Hampton Roads draws consistent demand from Navy and shipbuilding programs, and Richmond rounds out the market with a growing commercial technology sector alongside state government IT work.

Are there remote embedded software engineer jobs in Virginia?

Yes, but they're rare. Embedded software engineering is inherently hardware-adjacent, requiring lab access, test equipment, and classified facility work that limits remote arrangements. About 58% of embedded software engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with most flexibility found in architecture, code review, and simulation-side work rather than bring-up and integration tasks.

How can I get hired as a embedded software engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through an internship or co-op with a Virginia defense contractor or federal systems integrator while completing a relevant engineering degree. Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and SAIC all run structured early-career and new-graduate programs in Virginia specifically. Candidates with coursework in microcontrollers, a GitHub portfolio showing bare-metal projects, or a CompTIA Security+ certification to support clearance eligibility stand out most in a market where adjacent roles like embedded test engineer or hardware verification engineer often serve as the door-opener.

Where can I find and apply to embedded software engineer jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to embedded software engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 30 Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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