Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in California

Embedded Systems Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, consumer electronics, automotive technology, and semiconductor design across a seniority range from entry-level firmware developers through principal systems architects. The largest hiring markets are San Jose, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where companies like Qualcomm, Northrop Grumman, and Apple maintain deep embedded engineering teams. The most in-demand specialties right now are real-time operating systems, hardware-software integration, and RISC-V and ARM architecture development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles77
Top employerZoox
Top citySan Jose, CA
Cities hiring30
Work type55% On-site
Top industryScience

Showing 5 of 77+ Embedded Systems Engineer jobs

L3Harris
Specialist, Software Engineer - Application Infrastructure & Embedded Systems
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L3Harris
Added 3d ago
Specialist, Software Engineer - Application Infrastructure & Embedded Systems
L3Harris
Yorba Linda, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Product Management
$85k - $180k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Grainger
Embedded Systems Engineer
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Grainger
Added 3d ago
Embedded Systems Engineer
Grainger
Santa Ana, California
Backend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Software Engineering
$111k - $185k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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Cisco
Software Engineer Embedded Systems II (Intern) – United States
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Cisco
Added 3d ago
Software Engineer Embedded Systems II (Intern) – United States
Cisco
San Jose, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Product Management
$44k - $185k/yr
Hybrid
10,000+

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HRL Laboratories, LLC
Embedded Systems Engineer
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HRL Laboratories, LLC
Added 4d ago
Embedded Systems Engineer
HRL Laboratories, LLC
Calabasas, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Maintenance & Repair
Specialized Engineering
$155k - $198k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
501-1,000

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Google
Embedded Systems Engineer, High Speed DSP
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Google
Added 6d ago
Embedded Systems Engineer, High Speed DSP
Google
Sunnyvale, California
Business Operations
Compliance & Risk
Project Management
$192k - $278k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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See All 77 Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in California

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Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Jose
11 jobs
San Diego
9 jobs
Foster City
8 jobs
San Francisco
6 jobs
Irvine
5 jobs
Mountain View
5 jobs
Palo Alto
4 jobs
Sunnyvale
3 jobs
Menlo Park
3 jobs

Embedded Systems Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

Zoox
Zoox5 open roles
Tesla
Tesla4 open roles
Google
Google4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Science & Research
  • Technology & Software
  • Manufacturing
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Staffing & Recruiting

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in embedded systems engineer jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science required
  • Proficiency in C and C++ for embedded and firmware development at the hardware level
  • Experience with real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or Zephyr
  • Familiarity with hardware debugging tools including JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
  • Knowledge of communication protocols including CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, and Ethernet
  • Experience with version control systems and embedded software development lifecycles

Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a embedded systems engineer in California?

Embedded systems engineering in California has no state-issued license, so the hiring path runs through education and demonstrated technical skills. Most California employers expect a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science from an accredited program. Candidates who build firmware or hardware projects, contribute to open-source embedded repositories, or complete a senior capstone involving microcontrollers stand out. Professional Engineer licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers is valued in aerospace and defense contexts but is not universally required.

How much do embedded systems engineers make in California?

Embedded systems engineers in California earn a median of about $185,180 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $126,590 for the lowest 10% to over $281,210 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire embedded systems engineers in California?

Employers hiring embedded systems engineers in California right now include Zoox, Tesla, and Google, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor foundries, and consumer electronics companies means embedded engineering hiring here is unusually broad across industries compared with most other states.

Which California cities have the most embedded systems engineer jobs?

San Jose, San Diego, and Foster City have the most embedded systems engineer openings in California. San Jose sits at the heart of Silicon Valley's semiconductor and consumer electronics ecosystem, San Diego is driven by Qualcomm and a dense cluster of defense and wireless companies, and Los Angeles draws volume from aerospace primes and automotive technology firms headquartered in the region.

Are there remote embedded systems engineer jobs in California?

Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused roles because embedded work often requires physical access to hardware, test benches, and lab equipment. About 45% of embedded systems engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and these tend to concentrate on firmware architecture, software bring-up, and design review work that can be done off-site without hands-on lab access.

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

The most realistic entry path is an associate or junior firmware engineer role at a mid-size California semiconductor or defense contractor, where new graduates are hired specifically to support senior engineers on board bring-up and driver development. Companies like Qualcomm and Northrop Grumman run structured new-grad programs for embedded and systems roles. Building a portfolio of microcontroller projects on platforms like STM32 or ESP32, earning an ARM Accredited Engineer credential, and targeting embedded test or hardware validation roles as lateral entry points all improve hiring odds without prior industry experience.

Where can I find and apply to embedded systems engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to embedded systems engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring for the role. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.

See All 77 Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in California

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