What does a senior embedded engineer do?
Senior embedded engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior embedded engineer resumes:
- Manage all DSP software revision control activity
- Test the interface on various platforms like windows, Linux.
- Port I2C driver for EEPROM.
- Develop python scripts for diagnostic purposes.
- Develop FPGA base solution for Mobeam using VHDL.
- Develop LCD frame buffer driver with lower data transfer via SPI bus.
- Work on defining and prototyping an I/O chip to support set top box applications.
- Modify the Linux build environment for a video on demand set-top box (STB).
- Provide SPI API calls for users to interface to various SPI-type devices on the system.
- Modify RTOS (uCOS-II) code to support current products that control the new devices.
- Develop a Java server application to receive and send data format as Json over http.
- Develop product prototype base on Bluetooth protocol to communicate with PC/Mobile phone using CSR BC3-MM chip.
- Design a test station that utilize the parallel port of a computer to test the hardware and firmware.
- Work with system engineer for fine tune the requirement for structure air messages, timing, and DSP interface.
- Perform on-target software debugging using BDM interface debugger.
Senior embedded engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Senior Embedded Engineers are proficient in Python, Firmware, and Linux. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Senior Embedded Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 8%
Used Python Scripting to generate test values and to run automated test cases.
- Firmware, 7%
Designed and developed embedded firmware to match the algorithm derived from specification.
- Linux, 7%
Modified boot loader (YAMON) for a MIPS based CPU to boot multiple Linux kernels from the hard disk.
- SPI, 5%
Ported SPI driver for Flash Memory.
- Embedded Systems, 5%
Key engineer in power measurement design and implementation of single and three phase power embedded systems.
- I2C, 5%
Developed a customized driver for the Atmel 25C08 EEPROM which can be connected through the I2C bus as a character interface.
Common skills that a senior embedded engineer uses to do their job include "python," "firmware," and "linux." You can find details on the most important senior embedded engineer responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior embedded engineer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what senior embedded engineers do because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a senior embedded engineer resume shows how senior embedded engineers use analytical skills: "analyzed developer code (java, javascript, or c) to aid in the effort of locating bugs. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform senior embedded engineer duties is communication skills. Senior embedded engineers responsibilities require that "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Senior embedded engineers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "experience in communication protocols such as can, sae-j1939, rs-232, j1939 cat proprietary, and tcp/ip. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior embedded engineers is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday senior embedded engineer duties, as "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "introduced object-oriented design techniques to enhance scalability of firmware for reuse among 14 variations of basic amplifier modules. "
Interpersonal skills. A big part of what senior embedded engineers do relies on "interpersonal skills." You can see how essential it is to senior embedded engineer responsibilities because "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical senior embedded engineer tasks: "used interpersonal skills within drs culture to identify and raise attention to flaws in the firmware"
Creativity. Another common skill required for senior embedded engineer responsibilities is "creativity." This skill comes up in the duties of senior embedded engineers all the time, as "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." An excerpt from a real senior embedded engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a senior embedded engineer does: "used microsoft's ribbon component along with the power of wpf layouts and data binding to produce creative ui applications. "
Problem-solving skills. Lastly, "problem-solving skills" is an important element of what a senior embedded engineer does. Senior embedded engineer responsibilities require this skill because "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." This resume example highlights how senior embedded engineer duties rely on this skill: "publish two white papers about rf interference and solution by add more radio specific information and backward compatible in access packets. "
The three companies that hire the most senior embedded engineers are:
- Amazon5 senior embedded engineers jobs
- Canon4 senior embedded engineers jobs
- Motion Recruitment3 senior embedded engineers jobs
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Compare different senior embedded engineers
Senior embedded engineer vs. Systems software specialist
A firmware developer mainly develops firmware and designs hardware for online supervision systems and protocol converters. Firmware developers lead workflow resolution and automate the process by routing information to queues for flexible management of exceptions. They create test programs based on technology for maximum processor and firmware processor and memory. It is their job to implement features such as one-touch power windows, audio tones, and wipers. They also create client configuration, statistics, control, and general management functions.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, senior embedded engineer responsibilities require skills like "c #," "firmware," "spi," and "embedded systems." Meanwhile a typical systems software specialist has skills in areas such as "system software," "computer system," "windows server," and "css." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Systems software specialists really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $117,283. Comparatively, senior embedded engineers tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $124,559.On average, systems software specialists reach lower levels of education than senior embedded engineers. Systems software specialists are 10.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior embedded engineer vs. Firmware developer
In a systems engineering internship, an intern is primarily responsible for following a supervising officer or manager's directives. Most of an intern's tasks revolve around assisting engineers in installing and maintaining systems, troubleshooting, and even providing corrective measures. There are also instances when an intern must process documentation, disseminate letters, manage schedules and inventory, attend meetings, and participate in creating new updates and systems for a company. Furthermore, should there be any problems, an intern must report to the supervising officer.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior embedded engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "firmware," "wifi," "git," and "os." Meanwhile, a firmware developer has duties that require skills in areas such as "firmware development," "i/o," "source code," and "jenkins." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Firmware developers may earn a lower salary than senior embedded engineers, but firmware developers earn the most pay in the internet industry with an average salary of $98,058. On the other hand, senior embedded engineers receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $124,559.In general, firmware developers achieve similar levels of education than senior embedded engineers. They're 4.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior embedded engineer vs. Assistant system engineer trainee
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior embedded engineer resumes include skills like "python," "firmware," "spi," and "i2c," whereas an assistant system engineer trainee is more likely to list skills in "sql server," "html," "css," and "database design. "
Most assistant system engineers trainee achieve a lower degree level compared to senior embedded engineers. For example, they're 11.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior embedded engineer vs. Systems engineering internship
Types of senior embedded engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
