Embedded Systems Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California is one of the most active states for embedded systems engineer visa sponsorship, driven by aerospace and defense contractors in Los Angeles, semiconductor firms in Silicon Valley, and automotive tech companies in the Bay Area. Major employers include Qualcomm, Apple, NVIDIA, Northrop Grumman, and Broadcom, making California a top destination for international embedded systems engineers.
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At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.
- Job Type: Full time
- Work Type: Hybrid
We are seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer who will architect and develop the foundational software platform that powers our next-generation automotive electronic control units (ECUs). In this role, you will design and implement embedded platform software including Real-Time Drivers (RTD), embedded RTOS configurations, low-level drivers, and middleware that other teams build upon across the vehicle program.
You will work cross-functionally to develop common libraries, embed functional safety principles (ISO 26262) into memory layouts and driver architectures, and build out robust networking stacks spanning CAN, LIN, Ethernet, SPI, and I2C. You will provide unified technical leadership across the platform team, setting standards for code quality, safety-critical design, and low-level software craftsmanship, while directly mentoring engineers across the organization. Your expertise in embedded systems and automotive industry knowledge will help ensure the quality, reliability, and safety of our software platform.
What you'll do...
Platform Architecture & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Define the architecture and roadmap for real-time drivers, embedded RTOS configuration, and platform middleware shared across multiple vehicle programs.
- Work cross-functionally with systems, application, and safety teams to develop and maintain common libraries used platform-wide.
- Establish unified best practices for embedded coding standards, safety-critical design, and low-level software quality across the platform team.
- Mentor engineers on embedded architecture, functional safety design principles, and low-level driver development.
Real-Time Drivers, RTOS & Middleware Development
- Configure and optimize Real-Time Drivers (RTD) and embedded RTOS for deterministic, safety-critical automotive applications.
- Develop low-level embedded drivers and middleware that abstract hardware peripherals for use by upper application layers.
- Design and manage memory layouts to meet real-time performance, resource constraints, and functional safety requirements.
Networking Stack Development
- Architect and implement networking stacks including CAN, LIN, automotive Ethernet, SPI, and I2C for reliable in-vehicle communication.
- Optimize network stack performance for throughput, latency, and determinism across safety-relevant communication paths.
- Collaborate with systems and hardware teams to ensure networking stack designs align with hardware-software interface definitions (HSI).
Functional Safety
- Embed ISO 26262 functional safety principles into platform software architecture, memory design, and driver implementation.
- Ensure code developed for the platform adheres to MISRA C coding guidelines and safety-critical software development practices.
- Partner with safety and V&V teams to align platform software design with safety goals and ASIL requirements.
You'll have...
- Education: B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field.
- Embedded Programming: Strong hands-on experience developing in Embedded C, with adherence to MISRA C coding standards.
- Functional Safety Standards: Working knowledge of ISO 26262 functional safety processes as applied to embedded software architecture and development.
- Automotive Communication: Hands-on experience developing and debugging networking protocols including CAN, LIN, and other automotive communication buses.
- Debugging Toolkit: Familiarity with common embedded debugging tools such as JTAG, GDB, and similar hardware/software debug interfaces.
- RTOS & Drivers: Proven experience configuring embedded RTOS and developing low-level embedded drivers and middleware for automotive-grade microcontrollers.
Even better, you may have...
- Testing & Build Frameworks: Familiarity with embedded testing frameworks such as Renode, and build systems such as Bazel.
- Automotive Test Tools: Experience with automotive test and network analysis tools such as CANoe, CANalyzer, and CANape.
- Real-Time Control Systems: Experience developing or integrating software for real-time control systems.
- Extended Networking Experience: Familiarity with additional in-vehicle networking interfaces such as automotive Ethernet, SPI, and I2C beyond baseline requirements.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
- Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
- Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
- Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
- Tuition assistance
- Established and active employee resource groups
- Paid time off for individual and team community service
- A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a leadership level 6 and ranges from $150,200-$283,500.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
Internal applicants: moving into this role may result in an adjustment to your current compensation based on the posted pay range for this role, taking into consideration your qualifications and other relevant factors.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6
Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid
LI-MZ1 #UEV
Overview
At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.
- Job Type: Full time
- Work Type: Hybrid
We are seeking a Staff Embedded Software Engineer who will architect and develop the foundational software platform that powers our next-generation automotive electronic control units (ECUs). In this role, you will design and implement embedded platform software including Real-Time Drivers (RTD), embedded RTOS configurations, low-level drivers, and middleware that other teams build upon across the vehicle program.
You will work cross-functionally to develop common libraries, embed functional safety principles (ISO 26262) into memory layouts and driver architectures, and build out robust networking stacks spanning CAN, LIN, Ethernet, SPI, and I2C. You will provide unified technical leadership across the platform team, setting standards for code quality, safety-critical design, and low-level software craftsmanship, while directly mentoring engineers across the organization. Your expertise in embedded systems and automotive industry knowledge will help ensure the quality, reliability, and safety of our software platform.
What you'll do...
Platform Architecture & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Define the architecture and roadmap for real-time drivers, embedded RTOS configuration, and platform middleware shared across multiple vehicle programs.
- Work cross-functionally with systems, application, and safety teams to develop and maintain common libraries used platform-wide.
- Establish unified best practices for embedded coding standards, safety-critical design, and low-level software quality across the platform team.
- Mentor engineers on embedded architecture, functional safety design principles, and low-level driver development.
Real-Time Drivers, RTOS & Middleware Development
- Configure and optimize Real-Time Drivers (RTD) and embedded RTOS for deterministic, safety-critical automotive applications.
- Develop low-level embedded drivers and middleware that abstract hardware peripherals for use by upper application layers.
- Design and manage memory layouts to meet real-time performance, resource constraints, and functional safety requirements.
Networking Stack Development
- Architect and implement networking stacks including CAN, LIN, automotive Ethernet, SPI, and I2C for reliable in-vehicle communication.
- Optimize network stack performance for throughput, latency, and determinism across safety-relevant communication paths.
- Collaborate with systems and hardware teams to ensure networking stack designs align with hardware-software interface definitions (HSI).
Functional Safety
- Embed ISO 26262 functional safety principles into platform software architecture, memory design, and driver implementation.
- Ensure code developed for the platform adheres to MISRA C coding guidelines and safety-critical software development practices.
- Partner with safety and V&V teams to align platform software design with safety goals and ASIL requirements.
You'll have...
- Education: B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field.
- Embedded Programming: Strong hands-on experience developing in Embedded C, with adherence to MISRA C coding standards.
- Functional Safety Standards: Working knowledge of ISO 26262 functional safety processes as applied to embedded software architecture and development.
- Automotive Communication: Hands-on experience developing and debugging networking protocols including CAN, LIN, and other automotive communication buses.
- Debugging Toolkit: Familiarity with common embedded debugging tools such as JTAG, GDB, and similar hardware/software debug interfaces.
- RTOS & Drivers: Proven experience configuring embedded RTOS and developing low-level embedded drivers and middleware for automotive-grade microcontrollers.
Even better, you may have...
- Testing & Build Frameworks: Familiarity with embedded testing frameworks such as Renode, and build systems such as Bazel.
- Automotive Test Tools: Experience with automotive test and network analysis tools such as CANoe, CANalyzer, and CANape.
- Real-Time Control Systems: Experience developing or integrating software for real-time control systems.
- Extended Networking Experience: Familiarity with additional in-vehicle networking interfaces such as automotive Ethernet, SPI, and I2C beyond baseline requirements.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
- Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
- Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
- Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
- Tuition assistance
- Established and active employee resource groups
- Paid time off for individual and team community service
- A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a leadership level 6 and ranges from $150,200-$283,500.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
Internal applicants: moving into this role may result in an adjustment to your current compensation based on the posted pay range for this role, taking into consideration your qualifications and other relevant factors.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6
Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid
LI-MZ1 #UEV
Embedded Systems Engineer Job Roles in California
See all 420+ Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in California
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Search Embedded Systems Engineer Jobs in CaliforniaEmbedded Systems Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for embedded systems engineers in California?
California has a strong concentration of employers with established visa sponsorship programs for embedded systems engineers. Qualcomm in San Diego regularly sponsors H-1B visa petitions for firmware and hardware engineers. Apple, NVIDIA, and Broadcom in the Bay Area hire embedded engineers across silicon, drivers, and firmware teams. Northrop Grumman and Raytheon in Southern California also sponsor for defense-adjacent embedded roles, though security clearance requirements can complicate eligibility for some visa holders.
Which visa types are most common for embedded systems engineer roles in California?
The H-1B is the most common visa for embedded systems engineers in California, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field. Australians may pursue the E-3 visa as an alternative. Engineers already in the U.S. on F-1 OPT, including the 24-month STEM OPT extension, are frequently hired by California employers before transitioning to H-1B sponsorship.
Which cities in California have the most embedded systems engineer sponsorship jobs?
San Jose and the broader Bay Area lead in embedded systems engineer sponsorship jobs, anchored by semiconductor and consumer electronics companies. San Diego is a significant hub due to Qualcomm's large embedded and firmware engineering footprint, alongside telecom and wireless firms. Los Angeles and the South Bay attract embedded engineers through aerospace and defense contractors. Irvine and Santa Clara also have meaningful concentrations tied to networking hardware and chip design companies.
How to find embedded systems engineer visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international engineers seeking visa sponsorship roles in the U.S., including embedded systems engineer positions in California. You can filter by state and role to surface employers who have an active history of sponsoring work visas for embedded engineers. This is more targeted than general job searches because Migrate Mate focuses on sponsorship-willing employers, which is the critical filter for international candidates in a specialized field like embedded systems.
Are there any California-specific considerations for embedded systems engineers seeking visa sponsorship?
California's concentration of defense and aerospace employers introduces a notable consideration: many embedded systems roles at contractors like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon require access to classified information, which generally excludes non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents. Engineers should confirm whether a target role has security clearance requirements before applying. University pipelines from UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, and Stanford supply a large share of embedded talent, making California employers experienced with F-1 OPT and STEM extension hiring.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored embedded systems engineer jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.