Embedded Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Embedded software engineers work at the intersection of hardware and software - writing firmware, real-time operating systems, and low-level drivers for devices ranging from medical equipment to autonomous vehicles. Because this niche requires specialized knowledge of memory-constrained environments and hardware protocols, the talent pool is smaller and employers are often more motivated to sponsor visas. Companies in semiconductors, automotive, aerospace, and IoT actively recruit embedded engineers internationally, and competition in the H-1B lottery can be lower for these hardware-adjacent roles. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.

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Overview

Open Jobs2,992+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type83% On-site
Salary Range$135K – $203K
Top LocationSan Diego, CA
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 2,992+ embedded jobs

Lennox International
Embedded Software Intern
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Lennox International
New 13m ago
Embedded Software Intern
Lennox International
Carrollton, Texas
On-Site
High School
5,001-10,000

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Southern States LLC
Communication Embedded Software Engineer
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Southern States LLC
New 1h ago
Communication Embedded Software Engineer
Southern States LLC
Hampton, Georgia
Software Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Embedded Systems Engineering
Firmware Engineering
Backend Engineering
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Pepperl+Fuchs Group
Principal Embedded Software Engineer
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Pepperl+Fuchs Group
New 5h ago
Principal Embedded Software Engineer
Pepperl+Fuchs Group
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Software Engineering
Embedded Systems Engineering
Backend Engineering
$120,000 - $150,000
Hybrid
7+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Intellectt Inc
Embedded Systems Engineer
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Intellectt Inc
New 7h ago
Embedded Systems Engineer
Intellectt Inc
Urbandale, Iowa
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Embedded Systems Engineering
Firmware Engineering
On-Site
8+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Schaeffler
Co-Op - Embedded Software
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Schaeffler
New 15h ago
Co-Op - Embedded Software
Schaeffler
Deer Park, Illinois
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Embedded Systems Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's

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How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Embedded

Focus on commercial embedded roles, not defense

Many aerospace and defense embedded positions require security clearance limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Target commercial sectors like automotive (Tesla, Rivian), semiconductor (Qualcomm, NVIDIA, AMD), and medical devices (Medtronic, Abbott).

Leverage your niche skill set

RTOS programming, firmware development, C/C++ for constrained systems, and FPGA design are highly specialized. Fewer candidates means less competition for roles - and employers are more motivated to sponsor when talent is scarce.

Choose the right SOC code for your role

Embedded roles can file under SOC 15-1252 (Software Developers) for firmware-heavy work or 17-2061 (Computer Hardware Engineers) for hardware-focused positions. The right classification depends on your actual job duties, so discuss this with your employer's attorney.

Use a STEM degree to maximize OPT

Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and CS degrees all qualify for STEM OPT, giving you up to 3 years of work authorization. Embedded systems employers value continuity - use that time to become the go-to person for your product line.

Look at automotive and autonomous vehicle companies

Tesla, Rivian, Waymo, and Cruise need embedded engineers for vehicle systems, sensor integration, and real-time computing. These companies have active H-1B sponsorship programs and are competing for a limited talent pool.

Consider semiconductor companies for strong sponsorship pipelines

Intel, Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and AMD sponsor large numbers of engineers with specialized hardware and firmware expertise. Semiconductor companies often support green card processing early because embedded talent is difficult to replace.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an electrical engineering degree for embedded software roles, or will a computer science degree work?

Either degree is typically accepted for embedded software engineering H-1B petitions. Both fields are directly relevant, and USCIS generally recognizes that embedded systems work draws from both disciplines. A computer engineering degree is also a strong match. The key is that your employer's job description lists the accepted degree fields and your degree appears among them. Practical experience with microcontrollers, RTOS, and hardware interfaces further supports the petition regardless of your specific degree.

Which industries offer the best visa sponsorship opportunities for embedded software engineers?

The semiconductor industry (Qualcomm, Intel, NVIDIA, Broadcom, Texas Instruments) is the largest and most experienced sponsor. The automotive sector is a growing sponsor, especially for ADAS and EV-related firmware roles at companies like Tesla, Rivian, and GM. Medical device companies (Medtronic, Abbott, Boston Scientific) sponsor for FDA-regulated firmware development. Consumer electronics and IoT companies, including Apple, Amazon (Lab126), and Google (Nest/Pixel), round out the landscape.

Does the embedded engineer talent shortage actually help with sponsorship?

Yes. The combination of low-level programming, hardware knowledge, and real-time systems expertise is genuinely scarce, and employers in hardware-adjacent industries recognize this. Companies in semiconductors, automotive, and medical devices are often more willing to invest in visa sponsorship for embedded engineers because the domestic talent pool is smaller than for general software roles. This scarcity also helps during the green card process, as employers can more easily demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are unavailable.

Can embedded engineers work in defense or aerospace on a visa?

Many aerospace and defense companies sponsor embedded engineers, but some programs require security clearances that are generally limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Companies like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have both classified and unclassified projects, and visa holders can work on unclassified commercial programs. Before accepting a position, confirm which specific projects you would be assigned to and whether they require clearance. Commercial aerospace and satellite companies generally have fewer restrictions.

What programming languages and tools matter most for embedded visa petitions?

C and C++ are the foundation of embedded systems work and should be prominently listed. Experience with real-time operating systems (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, VxWorks), hardware debugging tools (JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers), and embedded Linux strengthens the petition by demonstrating specialized expertise distinct from general software development. Familiarity with communication protocols like SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN is also valued. The more specific the technical requirements in the petition, the clearer the specialty occupation case.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Embedded jobs?

When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage", the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level. For example, a embedded in California will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search Page.

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