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Embedded systems engineer vs embedded software engineer

The differences between embedded systems engineers and embedded software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an embedded systems engineer and an embedded software engineer. Additionally, an embedded software engineer has an average salary of $102,143, which is higher than the $91,959 average annual salary of an embedded systems engineer.

The top three skills for an embedded systems engineer include embedded systems, python and software development. The most important skills for an embedded software engineer are python, software development, and linux.

Embedded systems engineer vs embedded software engineer overview

Embedded Systems EngineerEmbedded Software Engineer
Yearly salary$91,959$102,143
Hourly rate$44.21$49.11
Growth rate21%21%
Number of jobs77,484171,613
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

What does an embedded systems engineer do?

An embedded systems engineer is responsible for monitoring and creating embedded network systems and servers to support business operations. Embedded systems engineers run multiple diagnostic tests to identify technical solutions that would increase the efficiency and stability of the systems. They must have excellent technical skills for network resolution, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to write scripts and generate support for data integration. An embedded systems engineer updates infrastructure to boost optimization and identify opportunities for enhancing engineering techniques.

What does an embedded software engineer do?

An embedded software engineer is an individual who develops and implements software of embedded devices and systems as well as monitor the efficiency and stability of the system. Embedded software engineers should write programming codes and conduct testing of system software to optimize the input/output (I/O) performance. They must support the software QA and provide post-production support if necessary. Embedded software engineers should interface with hardware design and development and assess third-party and open-source software.

Embedded systems engineer vs embedded software engineer salary

Embedded systems engineers and embedded software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Embedded Systems EngineerEmbedded Software Engineer
Average salary$91,959$102,143
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $120,000Between $77,000 And $134,000
Highest paying CitySan Mateo, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryProfessionalAutomotive

Differences between embedded systems engineer and embedded software engineer education

There are a few differences between an embedded systems engineer and an embedded software engineer in terms of educational background:

Embedded Systems EngineerEmbedded Software Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Embedded systems engineer vs embedded software engineer demographics

Here are the differences between embedded systems engineers' and embedded software engineers' demographics:

Embedded Systems EngineerEmbedded Software Engineer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 90.7% Female, 9.3%Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 30.6% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 30.8% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between embedded systems engineer and embedded software engineer duties and responsibilities

Embedded systems engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the firmware part of the project, which includes firmware design, development and testing.
  • Used standard bus interfaces like UART, SPI, I2C, USB for interfacing sensors and other devices.
  • Used various programming protocols like RS232, SPI and I2C.
  • Develop ADC drivers base on I2C, SPI and UART protocol.
  • Design and develop a wireless system to replace a legacy product base on linux and java.
  • Utilize DSP techniques to process sensing data and build a Bluetooth wireless interface for data transmission.
  • Show more

Embedded software engineer example responsibilities.

  • Review and manage defects using Jira and SVN.
  • Create script files to automate compilation and linking of source files using compilers commands and Perl on a regular basis.
  • Manage firmware of automate bench top devices that utilize a microprocessor.
  • Create custom domain specific UI controls with JavaScript and CSS.
  • Implement and debug using L2-L7 protocols TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP, SNMP, ICMP etc.
  • Migrate legacy malform table-based HTML to W3C compliant XHTML with CSS styling.
  • Show more

Embedded systems engineer vs embedded software engineer skills

Common embedded systems engineer skills
  • Embedded Systems, 12%
  • Python, 8%
  • Software Development, 5%
  • C, 5%
  • C++, 5%
  • Linux, 5%
Common embedded software engineer skills
  • Python, 8%
  • Software Development, 8%
  • Linux, 7%
  • C, 6%
  • C++, 6%
  • Embedded Systems, 4%

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