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How to hire a senior embedded software engineer

Senior embedded software engineer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring senior embedded software engineers in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a senior embedded software engineer is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per senior embedded software engineer on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 4,535 senior embedded software engineers in the US and 207,872 job openings.
  • San Diego, CA, has the highest demand for senior embedded software engineers, with 34 job openings.
  • San Diego, CA has the highest concentration of senior embedded software engineers.

How to hire a senior embedded software engineer, step by step

To hire a senior embedded software engineer, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a senior embedded software engineer, you should follow these steps:

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

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

What does a senior embedded software engineer do?

A senior embedded software engineer is in charge of designing and developing software for embedded systems and equipment. In a company setting, their responsibilities include coordinating with different teams, identifying and meeting the company's needs, establishing guidelines for new systems, and implementing solutions in vulnerable areas for a smooth and efficient workflow. Furthermore, as a senior embedded software engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Learn more about the specifics of what a senior embedded software engineer does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The senior embedded software engineer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A senior embedded software engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, senior embedded software 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.

    This list presents senior embedded software engineer salaries for various positions.

    Type of Senior Embedded Software EngineerDescriptionHourly rate
    Senior Embedded Software EngineerSoftware 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$42-70
    Architect And DeveloperAn Architect And Developer is focused on the technical design, architecture, and development of products. They generally work as a part of the development team.$40-69
    EngineerEngineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more$31-62
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Software Development
    • Python
    • Linux
    • C
    • C++
    • Multi
    • Java
    • Embedded Systems
    • GIT
    • Firmware
    • MATLAB
    • Configuration Management
    • RTOS
    • Embedded C
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Develop scons (python) build environment to automate nightly debug and release builds.
    • Manage all DSP software revision control activity
    • Coordinate creation of database that manage test requests and function as results repository, accessible company-wide handling 5K+ requests.
    • Develop GUI using C/C++ for windows platform to control the board.
    • Develop, test, and maintain software for 10Gb/s Ethernet routing switches.
    • Design and develop a general purpose web base diagnostic U/I base on HTTP.
    More senior embedded software engineer duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your senior embedded software engineer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A senior embedded software engineer can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, senior embedded software engineers' average salary in missouri is 34% less than in california.
    • Seniority. Entry-level senior embedded software engineers 40% less than senior-level senior embedded software engineers.
    • Certifications. A senior embedded software engineer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a senior embedded software engineer's salary.

    Average senior embedded software engineer salary

    $113,699yearly

    $54.66 hourly rate

    Entry-level senior embedded software engineer salary
    $88,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 20, 2026

    Average senior embedded software engineer salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$138,257$66
    2Washington$128,999$62
    3Massachusetts$115,050$55
    4Florida$113,575$55
    5Texas$112,013$54
    6Utah$109,809$53
    7New York$108,145$52
    8New Jersey$106,785$51
    9Maryland$105,782$51
    10Georgia$104,156$50
    11Colorado$102,526$49
    12Iowa$101,521$49
    13Michigan$100,821$48
    14Alabama$100,240$48
    15Delaware$99,129$48
    16Illinois$98,045$47
    17Wisconsin$96,628$46
    18Kansas$89,557$43
    19Indiana$85,926$41

    Average senior embedded software engineer salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Google$154,416$74.241,023
    2Apple$148,790$71.53553
    3Pure Storage$145,333$69.8712
    4Rivian$142,659$68.5955
    5NVIDIA$139,929$67.27321
    6Cruise Automation$137,146$65.94
    7Cepheid$135,450$65.12
    8Intuitive Surgical$134,487$64.6621
    9Amazon$134,086$64.46641
    10Cisco$133,843$64.35386
    11Volvo Trucks$133,733$64.29
    12Argo AI$132,909$63.90
    13Ford Motor$132,745$63.82550
    14Magic Leap$130,749$62.863
    15Logitech$130,635$62.81
    1610x Genomics$130,383$62.682
    17Tesla$129,029$62.0316
    18BorgWarner$128,412$61.742
    19The Talent Group$127,916$61.50
    20Motiv Power Systems$127,770$61.43
  4. Writing a senior embedded software engineer job description

    A senior embedded software engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a senior embedded software engineer job description:

    Senior embedded software engineer job description example

    Responsibilities

    Peraton is seeking a Senior CNO Developer / Embedded C Software Engineer to support Reverse Engineering (RE) and vulnerability research within our Cyber Mission Business Unit in Annapolis Junction, MD. Perform a combination of Vulnerability Research, Reverse Engineering, and embedded C development to support a critical customer mission and develop much needed capabilities. Work in a team environment with several subject matter experts with the ability to collaborate with and support the customer's mission. Discover new solutions to problems, implement capabilities and protect our country on a brand new 5-year award contract.

    Qualifications

    Basic Qualifications:

    • 10+ years of software engineering / reverse engineering / vulnerability research experience (or 8 years' experience + a Masters)
    • Experience with Reverse Engineering
    • Expertise with the C programming language
    • Active TS/SCI security clearance with current polygraph is required

    Desired Qualifications:

    • Experience with Vulnerability Research

    Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

    We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.

    #MPOJobs #LI-SG1

    Peraton Overview

    Peraton drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted and highly differentiated national security solutions and technologies that keep people safe and secure. Peraton serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies across the intelligence, space, cyber, defense, civilian, health, and state and local markets. Every day, our employees do the can't be done, solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers.

    An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Veteran.

    For Colorado Residents Colorado Salary Minimum: $90,500
    Colorado Salary Maximum: $219,700

    The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position, and is just one component of Peraton's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Peraton provides a variety of benefits to employees.
  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right senior embedded software engineer for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your senior embedded software engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit senior embedded software engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting senior embedded software engineers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    Sometimes, it's not enough to interview senior embedded software engineer candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

    • 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 senior embedded software engineer

    Once you have selected a candidate for the senior embedded software engineer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new senior embedded software engineer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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 a senior embedded software engineer?

There are different types of costs for hiring senior embedded software engineers. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new senior embedded software engineer employee.

The median annual salary for senior embedded software engineers is $113,699 in the US. However, the cost of senior embedded software engineer hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a senior embedded software engineer for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $42 and $70 an hour.

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