Staff Embedded Software Engineer Jobs
Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs are open across automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, industrial automation, and medical devices, from senior individual contributor to staff and principal levels, with specializations in RTOS, firmware architecture, and hardware-software integration. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 154+ Staff Embedded Software Engineer jobs
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ASICS EngineeringGeneral Summary:
We are seeking a Staff Engineer, Embedded Sensor Systems & Physical AI to develop next-generation sensing technologies for Robotics, XR, mobile, & IEIoT,I applications.
This is a hands-on sensor systems engineering role at the intersection of sensor hardware, embedded electronics, firmware, signal processing, characterization, and system integration. The ideal candidate can take a sensing concept from early evaluation through prototype development, characterization, embedded integration, and system demonstration.
You will work with technologies such as tactile, force, pressure, proximity, motion, environmental, and multimodal sensing , integrating sensors with embedded compute platforms and intelligent perception/control systems.
You will collaborate across robotics, XR, AI/ML, silicon, embedded software, and systems teams on applications including dexterous manipulation, tactile perception, force control, HMI, multimodal perception, and contextual awareness .
We value technical depth, hands-on experimentation, system thinking, and the ability to turn emerging sensor technologies into robust working prototypes .
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the architecture, development, and validation of advanced sensor systems for robotics, XR, mobile, IoT, and Physical AI applications.
- Design and build embedded sensing platforms for sensor bring-up, data acquisition, real-time processing, characterization, control, and system validation.
- Develop sensor characterization and calibration methodologies , including automated test infrastructure and performance metrics for noise, sensitivity, accuracy, latency, bandwidth, power, reliability, drift, and robustness. Create or partner for hardware prototypes and evaluation systems, including sensor boards, embedded platforms, sensor fixtures, test setups, and data collection infrastructure.
- Develop and debug hardware, firmware, and low-level software spanning sensors, analog/digital interfaces, MCUs/SoCs/DSPs/FPGAs, communication interfaces, and embedded processing.
- Architect and evaluate multimodal sensing and sensor-fusion solutions combining modalities such as tactile, force, proximity, motion, vision, audio, and environmental sensing.
- Collaborate with robotics, controls, AI/ML, silicon, software, and systems teams to integrate sensing with perception, actuation, manipulation, HMI, and intelligent interaction.
- Provide technical leadership for emerging sensing technologies , working with internal teams, suppliers, research partners, and universities to evaluate technologies, build prototypes, define roadmaps, and generate IP.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated hands-on experience developing sensor systems, embedded hardware, or sensor-based platforms .
- Strong understanding of sensor signal chains, characterization, calibration, noise, data acquisition, and system integration .
- Experience developing embedded firmware/software using C/C++ and/or Python , and integrating sensors with MCU, SoC, DSP, FPGA, or similar platforms.
- Hands-on experience designing and debugging PCBs, sensor modules, embedded platforms, laboratory instrumentation, and system-level prototypes .
- Demonstrated ability to solve open-ended engineering problems and drive solutions across hardware, firmware, software, algorithms, and systems teams.
- Ability to work effectively on open-ended technical problems , define requirements, make trade-offs, and drive solutions across hardware, software, firmware, and systems teams.
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering organizations.
Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred. Candidates willing to expand horizon are preferred.
- Experience developing HMI and advanced sensing systems for touch, gesture, proximity, wearables, XR, smart devices, robotic interfaces, or ambient/contextual sensing applications.
- Experience with one or more sensor technologies , such as tactile, capacitive, resistive, piezoelectric/piezoresistive, optical, magnetic, ultrasonic, MEMS, force/torque, pressure, proximity, inertial, or multimodal sensing.
- Experience with robotics and Physical AI applications , including robotic manipulation, dexterous hands, grasping, tactile perception, slip/contact detection, force control, impedance/compliance control, humanoid robots, or robotic end effectors.
- Experience developing sensor characterization, calibration, and automated test systems , including data acquisition, laboratory instrumentation, Python-based automation, MATLAB, Jupyter, or similar tools.
- Experience with sensor fusion, signal processing, or embedded intelligence , including multimodal sensor fusion, event detection, anomaly detection, TinyML, Edge AI, or embedded inference.
- Experience integrating sensing with embedded compute platforms , including ARM or RISC-V MCUs, DSPs, FPGAs, embedded Linux, RTOS, or heterogeneous SoCs.
- Experience with sensor ASICs, analog/mixed-signal ICs, MEMS devices, custom silicon, sensor interfaces, sensor packaging, or hardware-software co-design .
- Familiarity with robotics software and simulation environments , such as ROS 2, Isaac Sim, MuJoCo, MoveIt, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar platforms.
- Experience working across sensor hardware, firmware, signal processing, controls, robotics, and AI/ML teams to develop and integrate complete sensing solutions.
- Demonstrated technical leadership and innovation through product contributions, system architecture ownership, prototypes, technology demonstrations, patents, publications, or invention disclosures.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits :
$145,600.00 - $218,400.00The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link .
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ASICS EngineeringGeneral Summary:
We are seeking a Staff Engineer, Embedded Sensor Systems & Physical AI to develop next-generation sensing technologies for Robotics, XR, mobile, & IEIoT,I applications.
This is a hands-on sensor systems engineering role at the intersection of sensor hardware, embedded electronics, firmware, signal processing, characterization, and system integration. The ideal candidate can take a sensing concept from early evaluation through prototype development, characterization, embedded integration, and system demonstration.
You will work with technologies such as tactile, force, pressure, proximity, motion, environmental, and multimodal sensing , integrating sensors with embedded compute platforms and intelligent perception/control systems.
You will collaborate across robotics, XR, AI/ML, silicon, embedded software, and systems teams on applications including dexterous manipulation, tactile perception, force control, HMI, multimodal perception, and contextual awareness .
We value technical depth, hands-on experimentation, system thinking, and the ability to turn emerging sensor technologies into robust working prototypes .
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the architecture, development, and validation of advanced sensor systems for robotics, XR, mobile, IoT, and Physical AI applications.
- Design and build embedded sensing platforms for sensor bring-up, data acquisition, real-time processing, characterization, control, and system validation.
- Develop sensor characterization and calibration methodologies , including automated test infrastructure and performance metrics for noise, sensitivity, accuracy, latency, bandwidth, power, reliability, drift, and robustness. Create or partner for hardware prototypes and evaluation systems, including sensor boards, embedded platforms, sensor fixtures, test setups, and data collection infrastructure.
- Develop and debug hardware, firmware, and low-level software spanning sensors, analog/digital interfaces, MCUs/SoCs/DSPs/FPGAs, communication interfaces, and embedded processing.
- Architect and evaluate multimodal sensing and sensor-fusion solutions combining modalities such as tactile, force, proximity, motion, vision, audio, and environmental sensing.
- Collaborate with robotics, controls, AI/ML, silicon, software, and systems teams to integrate sensing with perception, actuation, manipulation, HMI, and intelligent interaction.
- Provide technical leadership for emerging sensing technologies , working with internal teams, suppliers, research partners, and universities to evaluate technologies, build prototypes, define roadmaps, and generate IP.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated hands-on experience developing sensor systems, embedded hardware, or sensor-based platforms .
- Strong understanding of sensor signal chains, characterization, calibration, noise, data acquisition, and system integration .
- Experience developing embedded firmware/software using C/C++ and/or Python , and integrating sensors with MCU, SoC, DSP, FPGA, or similar platforms.
- Hands-on experience designing and debugging PCBs, sensor modules, embedded platforms, laboratory instrumentation, and system-level prototypes .
- Demonstrated ability to solve open-ended engineering problems and drive solutions across hardware, firmware, software, algorithms, and systems teams.
- Ability to work effectively on open-ended technical problems , define requirements, make trade-offs, and drive solutions across hardware, software, firmware, and systems teams.
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering organizations.
Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred. Candidates willing to expand horizon are preferred.
- Experience developing HMI and advanced sensing systems for touch, gesture, proximity, wearables, XR, smart devices, robotic interfaces, or ambient/contextual sensing applications.
- Experience with one or more sensor technologies , such as tactile, capacitive, resistive, piezoelectric/piezoresistive, optical, magnetic, ultrasonic, MEMS, force/torque, pressure, proximity, inertial, or multimodal sensing.
- Experience with robotics and Physical AI applications , including robotic manipulation, dexterous hands, grasping, tactile perception, slip/contact detection, force control, impedance/compliance control, humanoid robots, or robotic end effectors.
- Experience developing sensor characterization, calibration, and automated test systems , including data acquisition, laboratory instrumentation, Python-based automation, MATLAB, Jupyter, or similar tools.
- Experience with sensor fusion, signal processing, or embedded intelligence , including multimodal sensor fusion, event detection, anomaly detection, TinyML, Edge AI, or embedded inference.
- Experience integrating sensing with embedded compute platforms , including ARM or RISC-V MCUs, DSPs, FPGAs, embedded Linux, RTOS, or heterogeneous SoCs.
- Experience with sensor ASICs, analog/mixed-signal ICs, MEMS devices, custom silicon, sensor interfaces, sensor packaging, or hardware-software co-design .
- Familiarity with robotics software and simulation environments , such as ROS 2, Isaac Sim, MuJoCo, MoveIt, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar platforms.
- Experience working across sensor hardware, firmware, signal processing, controls, robotics, and AI/ML teams to develop and integrate complete sensing solutions.
- Demonstrated technical leadership and innovation through product contributions, system architecture ownership, prototypes, technology demonstrations, patents, publications, or invention disclosures.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here . Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies : Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits :
$145,600.00 - $218,400.00The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link .
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers .
Staff Embedded Software Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
See All 154+ Staff Embedded Software Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsStaff Embedded Software Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman10
- Amazon7
- Rivian6
- Google4
- Viasat4
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Automotive
- Aerospace & Defense
- Energy
- Electronics & Hardware
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in staff embedded software engineer jobs.
- 7 or more years of professional embedded C or C++ development experience
- Hands-on experience with RTOS environments such as FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or Zephyr
- Proficiency with hardware debug tools including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG
- Experience with communication protocols including UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, and Ethernet
- Bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
- Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and lead firmware architecture decisions
Tips for Your Staff Embedded Software Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to the hardware stack
Staff-level embedded roles are won or lost on specificity. List the exact microcontrollers, RTOSes, and bus protocols you've worked with. Hiring managers scan for STM32, FreeRTOS, CAN, or similar terms before reading anything else.
Highlight cross-functional ownership on your resume
At the staff level, employers expect you to have driven architectural decisions, not just implemented tickets. Describe a project where you defined the firmware architecture, coordinated with hardware engineers, and saw it through to production.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists staff embedded software engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Filter openings by domain before applying
Embedded roles in automotive safety systems require a very different background than consumer IoT or defense. Target postings in domains where you have production experience, since staff-level interviews will probe domain-specific constraints like ISO 26262 or DO-178C.
Prepare a system design answer for firmware
Staff embedded interviews almost always include a low-level system design question. Practice designing a motor controller, a sensor fusion pipeline, or a bootloader from scratch, explaining trade-offs around latency, memory, and power budget out loud.
Negotiate scope and on-call expectations explicitly
Embedded staff engineers often inherit legacy codebases and unplanned hardware debug cycles. Before accepting an offer, ask which products are in active development versus maintenance, and clarify how production incidents are handled and who owns them.
Staff Embedded Software Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most staff embedded software engineers?
Northrop Grumman, Amazon, and Rivian are hiring the most staff embedded software engineers right now, with openings concentrated in California, Texas, and Maryland, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics companies are consistently among the most active hirers at this level.
How many staff embedded software engineer jobs are remote?
About 44% of staff embedded software engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, which is lower than many software disciplines because hardware access often requires on-site presence. Roles focused on firmware architecture review, code review, and team leadership are the most likely to offer remote flexibility.
How do you become a staff embedded software engineer?
Start by building deep expertise in C and C++ for resource-constrained systems, then gain production experience across multiple embedded platforms and communication protocols. Progress from implementing features to owning subsystem architecture, then to driving firmware strategy across a product line. Staff-level recognition typically follows demonstrated ability to mentor engineers, resolve cross-functional technical conflicts, and make defensible architectural trade-offs.
Can you get hired as a staff embedded software engineer with limited experience?
Moving directly into a staff embedded role with limited professional experience is uncommon because the title signals both deep technical judgment and cross-functional leadership. The fastest path is to contribute meaningfully to open-source embedded projects, build a portfolio of real hardware work, and target companies where your specific hardware domain or toolchain expertise is rare and urgently needed.
What does the staff embedded software engineer interview process look like?
Most processes include a recruiter screen, a technical phone interview covering low-level programming and debugging, a take-home or live coding exercise in C or C++, and a full system design round focused on firmware architecture. Expect a behavioral round assessing how you've influenced technical direction and resolved disagreements with hardware or systems engineering teams.
Where can I find and apply to staff embedded software engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to staff embedded software engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your hardware domain, toolchain, and seniority level, then apply directly to each one that fits.
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Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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