How to hire an embedded systems engineer

How to hire an embedded systems engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step embedded systems engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an embedded systems engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new embedded systems engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an embedded systems engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your embedded systems engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an embedded systems engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An embedded systems engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, embedded systems engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of embedded systems engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Embedded Systems Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Embedded Systems Engineer	Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device... Show more	$33-57
   Software Development Engineer	A software development engineer is responsible for designing and developing software systems and applications based on clients' specifications and business needs. Software development engineers manage operating systems and analyze network codes to maintain the compatibility of the software applications and control systems... Show more	$38-70
   Hardware Engineer	Hardware engineers or computer hardware engineers are responsible for developing, designing, and examining computer hardware. They help speed up new computer technology by creating enhancements in computer hardware... Show more	$37-68

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Embedded Systems
   • Python
   • Software Development
   • C
   • C++
   • Linux
   • SPI
   • MATLAB
   • RF
   • I2C
   • Prototyping
   • PCB
   • Product Development
   • Debugging

   Check all skills

   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.

   More embedded systems engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your embedded systems engineer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An embedded systems engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for an embedded systems engineer in South Carolina may be lower than in California, and an entry-level embedded systems engineer usually earns less than a senior-level embedded systems engineer. Additionally, an embedded systems engineer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average embedded systems engineer salary

   $91,959yearly

   $44.21 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level embedded systems engineer salary

   $70,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average embedded systems engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$131,661	$63
   2	Washington	$103,944	$50
   3	Maryland	$94,682	$46
   4	Arizona	$92,243	$44
   5	Massachusetts	$91,490	$44
   6	Texas	$91,362	$44
   7	Colorado	$89,408	$43
   8	New York	$86,191	$41
   9	Minnesota	$84,384	$41
   10	Hawaii	$81,890	$39
   11	Michigan	$81,053	$39
   12	Pennsylvania	$79,652	$38
   13	Alabama	$78,370	$38
   14	Florida	$77,977	$37
   15	Wisconsin	$76,610	$37
   16	Illinois	$75,671	$36
   17	Indiana	$73,296	$35
   18	South Carolina	$70,548	$34

   Average embedded systems engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$147,240	$70.79	493
   2	Apple	$139,727	$67.18	161
   3	Google	$134,954	$64.88	89
   4	NVIDIA	$128,848	$61.95	33
   5	Argo AI	$119,239	$57.33
   6	Neuralink IT Solutions	$116,451	$55.99	8
   7	Texas Instruments	$109,221	$52.51	37
   8	NETLOGIC MICROSYSTEMS INC	$108,752	$52.28
   9	Immersion	$108,131	$51.99
   10	Micron Technology	$107,660	$51.76	9
   11	Theranos	$106,242	$51.08
   12	Resource Technology Corp/MI	$104,921	$50.44
   13	Nabors Industries	$104,584	$50.28	1
   14	Renesas Electronics	$104,018	$50.01	2
   15	Kronos Incorporated	$103,303	$49.66
   16	Conexant	$102,930	$49.49
   17	General Motors	$102,110	$49.09	200
   18	Aldec	$101,494	$48.80
   19	Brivo	$101,177	$48.64
   20	Russell Tobin	$99,792	$47.98	1

4. Writing an embedded systems engineer job description

   A good embedded systems engineer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an embedded systems engineer job description:

   Embedded systems engineer job description example

   As Embedded Systems Software Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to contribute through the entire product development process including: project inception, concept ideation and refinement, detailed design, pre-production, manufacturing release, and sustaining. You will apply sound engineering principles in the development and documentation of embedded systems software, e.g. system architecture, operating systems, algorithms, modules, subcomponents, logic flow, interfaces.
   
   At Pensar we are passionate about design and engineering, solving tough problems, thrilling our Clients, and having fun while doing it. We bring leading-edge product development to a wide range of Clients through our world-class team, and we're looking for an Embedded Systems Software Engineer to join us!
   
   Much of our success relies upon providing each Client with a customized experience that is tailored to their unique product, portfolio, and market goals. We strive to understand what is distinctly valuable to them and how they define success. We articulate key insights and risks in a timely, transparent, and concise manner to empower them to be better prepared in making pivotal decisions. We get our hands dirty, honor our commitments, and are personally engaged in driving the success of their projects.
   
   Required Technical SkillsProven experience in hardware product development and Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Track record of delivering custom Embedded Linux platforms (from board-support to user-space) Proficient in C/C++ with an embedded focus (e.g., drivers, services, networking) Agility on the command-line with scripting languages (e.g., Bash, Python, JavaScript) Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills (for all audiences, including executive management) Collaborative development (e.g., code reviews, Git flow) Cross-discipline development (e.g., schematic familiarity, datasheet comfortability) Bachelor's degree in engineering/technical discipline (e.g., CS, CE, EE) or equivalent practical experience
   
   Nice-To-Have Technical SkillsMultiple deliveries of Yocto-based (OpenEmbedded) Embedded Linux platforms Real-time, mixed-signal processing including audio, video, and alternative data streams Hardware-accelerated applications (e.g., GPU, DSP, neural) Development in regulated environments (e.g., medical [62304], aerospace) Board-level Android development (AOSP customization, compilation, bring-up) ML/AI implementation on resource-constrained systems Lower-level development including bare-metal firmware, RTOS systems, and/or HDL (FPGA)
   
   Typical Professional DutiesClient Management - Establish a clear understanding of how to effectively communicate with Clients verbally, via email, and through more formal documentation. Synthesize and distill complex information into summaries and trade-offs to enable Clients to make better decisions for their business.Technical Expertise - Utilize your engineering experience and deep understanding of the product development process to assess and correctly identify critical design decisions, options, trade-offs, and risks. Advocate reasonable solutions to the team and Clients balancing cost, schedule, and design quality. Risk Management - Develop and master advanced risk management skills, including how to establish acceptable risk criteria, when to escalate issues, and how to communicate risk positions to Clients.Time Management - Effectively manage your time to accomplish goals despite multiple activities/projects and competing interests. Maintain schedules and ongoing project requirements and specifications through interaction with Pensar personnel and Clients.Fundamentals - Effort estimation and scoping, requirements determination, cross-discipline collaboration, configuration management, issue tracking, risk analysis, root cause analysis, test definition and implementation, mitigation plans, technical documentation, design reviews, presentations, and deliverable releases.
   Diversity & Inclusion
   The individual skills and personalities that make up our incredible Pensar Crew are truly what set us apart and allow us to continue delivering results that exceed Client expectations. Pensar fosters an environment of respect, learning, and growth.
   
   Pensar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.
   
   *Pensar is not accepting Candidates from 3rd Party Agencies*

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find embedded systems engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   To find embedded systems engineer candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit embedded systems engineers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   If your interviews with embedded systems engineer applicants aren't enough to make a decision, you should also consider including a test project. These are often the best, most straightforward, and least bias-prone ways of determining who will likely succeed in the role. If you don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new embedded systems engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect embedded systems engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new embedded systems engineer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an embedded systems engineer?