Embedded systems are complex combinations of software and hardware designed to function in different larger systems. Embedded systems have broad purposes and are found in several technological industries. The complexity of the systems and the range of technologies they are designed for means that businesses are searching for bright, skilful, and tech-focused minds to develop and implement them. Embedded systems jobs are in high demand due to the growth of the varied industries in which the systems are used. The aerospace, telecommunications, and automotive industries, to name a few, are in the stages of constant development.
To help you navigate the numerous career opportunities that the growing field of embedded systems offers, we have prepared a list of ten top jobs in embedded systems. These ten jobs help to positively influence the development of so many other industries and technologies. We will explore the responsibilities, experience, qualifications, and skill sets needed in these roles.
1. Embedded Systems Engineer
The sheer number of devices and technologies with built-in microprocessors means embedded systems are in high demand, with many organisations eager to employ skilled individuals. The embedded systems market is predicted to grow at a rapid annual growth rate of 8.1% until 2026. Embedded systems engineer jobs currently exceed the talent available to fill these positions. Their specialist skills will be required to keep the embedded systems market growth on track.
These embedded system jobs require a specific skill set from designing and developing firmware for embedded systems. Specialist embedded systems engineers must also test the systems to ensure they work with several applications and devices. Many businesses require embedded systems engineers, including companies specialising in medical science, consumer electronics and aerospace.
Traditionally, there are three levels of embedded systems engineers based on experience, reflected in job responsibilities. Those job levels include:
- Entry level
- Junior level
- Senior level
Key Responsibilities of an Embedded Systems Engineer
As previously mentioned, the more senior the positions, the more responsibilities embedded systems engineers will have. However, the most common duties of embedded systems engineer jobs include the following:
- The design and implementation of embedded systems within products
- The development of software and hardware to support business operations
- Debugging software and hardware systems for all embedded systems
- Testing embedded systems to make sure the system works correctly
- Reviewing code for the plans
- Create design goals, monitor issues, and work to deadlines
- Interpreting any error reports from the system in the process of troubleshooting
- Provide post-product support when embedded systems are complete
- Research and write detailed reports
Essential Qualifications that an Embedded Systems Engineer Needs
All embedded systems jobs require specific qualifications. The amount of experience varies depending on the level of embedded systems engineer jobs. However, all jobs in embedded systems still require some experience due to the specialist nature of the work.
To secure a career as an embedded systems engineer, you will need:
- Have obtained a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or other related disciplines.
- Proven experience in the development of embedded systems
- Knowledge and understanding of software and hardware debugging
- Proven programming experience in C, C++, or both.
- Familiarity and experience in software configuration management tools
- Strong organisational, documentation and communication skills
- Experience in troubleshooting
Essential Soft Skills:
Along with the required qualifications and experience, you will need several soft skills to excel in this position.
- Able to work in a fast-paced environment
- Adaptability skills
- Be able to research subjects in detail
- Have a passion for all things technology
- A strong learning ability due to constant technological development
- Teamwork skills
- Strong communication skills
- Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Be able to strive for perfection without becoming fixated on it
2. Embedded Electronics Engineer
Some embedded systems jobs may appear similar but have distinctive responsibilities and focuses. Embedded systems engineer jobs follow this same principle. Systems engineers cover embedded systems on a broader spectrum. Systems engineers focus on the design, implementation, and other more general system aspects like system integration and software development. This is compared to embedded electronics engineers, whose focus is designing, optimising and troubleshooting the electrical components within the system.
Embedded Electronics Engineers are specialists in their area. These experts must be flexible enough to work in different sectors and confident to collaborate with other specialists to develop embedded electrical systems.
A solid electrical and engineering background is necessary to secure these embedded systems jobs, especially embedded systems engineer jobs, even at a junior level.
Key Responsibilities of an Embedded Electronics Engineer
The day-to-day duties of an embedded electronic engineer include:
- Read and implement specifications based on the client's designs or ideas
- Design embedded electronic systems
- Develop and implement embedded electronic systems, including testing and troubleshooting
- Document design ideas and system test results
- Interpret client specifications and briefs for design
- Research and stay up-to-date with sector-relevant developments
- Work in a variety of sectors
- Debug embedded electronic systems
- Develop safe and reliable systems and devices
Essential Qualifications that an Embedded Electronics Engineer Needs
It is important to possess a wide variety of qualifications and experience when applying for embedded electronic engineer jobs.
- Have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or other disciplines related to embedded systems implementation
- Master's degree, ideally from an engineering school
- Familiarity with software development
- Experience working with embedded systems or embedded system design experience
- Have proven programming experience in C, C++, or both
- Experience or familiarity with CAD tools and other simulation tools
- Have a strong knowledge of hardware platforms and a number of microcontrollers
- Fluency in technical industry terminology
Essential Soft Skills
Along with the required qualifications and experience, you will need several soft skills to succeed in this position.
- Troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills
- Patience and resilience
- Critical thinking
- Analytical stills
- Ability to multitask
- Able to be adaptable to the development of new methods
- Wanting to learn new skills and systems constantly
Salaries for this position are highly dependent on the chosen industry. Embedded electrical engineers in aerospace or defence may have a higher earning potential than in automotive or telecommunications.
3. Control Systems Engineer (Embedded Software)
A control systems engineer specialises in the regulation and control sections of the systems. Control systems engineers aim to develop algorithms to optimise and regulate embedded system behaviour. They also design these algorithms. This job role aims to ensure all systems created respond correctly. This can entail creating algorithms that ensure the systems achieve a correct level of stability and performance.
Similarly to embedded systems engineers, the constant development of the technologies and industries in which embedded systems feature means that positions for control systems engineers are widely available. Individuals who have the right qualifications and skillset have access to numerous opportunities.
Key Responsibilities of a Control Systems Engineer
An embedded control systems engineer's daily duties include:
- Complete the analysis and optimisation of systems to understand system behaviour and incorporate improvements
- Develop algorithms that are tailored to specific embedded systems
- Implement and test the developed algorithms to ensure the system is working as efficiently as possible
- Collaborate with other engineers (software, hardware, and systems)
- Write reports and document all testing and implementation processes
- Keep up-to-date with the latest systems and algorithms
- Troubleshoot and address any issues with the algorithms
Essential Qualifications of a Control Systems Engineer
Due to the specialist nature of the work of control systems engineers and all embedded systems jobs, job posts in this field have specific requirements for candidates. Each criterion will alter slightly depending on the business, but the main specifications include:
- Have obtained a minimum bachelor’s degree in control systems engineering, computer engineering, physics, or any other relevant field
- Ability to think analytically and be confident enough to make recommendations to improve systems or algorithms
- Experience in control technologies (DCS and PLC)
- Experience in firmware development, software engineering, troubleshooting, and real-time operating systems
- Have a proven understanding of embedded systems and controller prototyping
- Proven programming experience in C, C++, or both
Disclaimer: Entry positions will require less direct experience in these areas. Senior or advanced control systems engineer positions may require advanced degrees in embedded software or other relevant posts.
Essential Soft Skills
Along with the required qualifications and experience, you will need certain soft skills to succeed in this position.
- Strong problem-solving, problem-prevention, and adaptability skills
- A passion for technology
- Collaboration skills
- Precise attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Communication skills
- Analytical skills
- Able to learn continuously to stay up-to-date with new technologies
4. Embedded Network Engineer
Like all embedded engineer jobs, embedded network engineers are responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining embedded systems. The main difference between them is that embedded network engineers are experts in developing embedded systems connected to a network. This includes being responsible for the planning and integrating software with hardware components.
Key Responsibilities of an Embedded Network Engineer
Some of the duties an embedded network engineer performs on a daily basis are:
- Test software to determine its success in communication over networks
- Contribute to all aspects of embedded systems, including their design and development
- Carry out all software and hardware updates
- Responsible for the coding and testing of system software
- Review data
- Support businesses in connecting IoT devices to their networks after embedded software deployment
- Be responsible for data backups and recovery
- Test systems regularly to ensure the identification of any issues
- Analyse the efficiency of designs, networks, software, and resources
- Amalgamate hardware components with software
- Provide post-product support for businesses
Essential Qualifications of an Embedded Network Engineer
To successfully land embedded network engineer jobs, you will need a variety of experience and qualifications.
- Have obtained a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or any other relevant field
- Have knowledge of data structures, algorithms and the general aspects of computer programming
- Experience in embedded systems and the life cycle of these systems
- Proven programming experience in C, C++, or both
- Familiarity with the relevant software like VxWorks
- Previous experience with debugging and troubleshooting embedded systems
- Have a strong understanding of communication software, programming language, and coding
Essential Soft Skills
On top of the required qualifications and experience, you will need a range of soft skills to succeed in this position.
- Interpersonal skills
- Strong problem-solving abilities
- Resilience and patience
- Creativity
- Strong time-management skills
- Attention to detail
- Accountability
5. Cybersecurity Embedded Systems Developer
Last but not least, in our list of top five embedded systems jobs is a cybersecurity embedded systems developer. Cyber attacks occur on average every 39 seconds (2,200) daily. With technological advancements, cybersecurity is heavily in demand in every sector. Embedded systems are no different. The increase in electrical products with an internet connection (IoT) or becoming internet-conscious in embedded systems means that companies are searching for the brightest minds in cybersecurity.
Embedded systems contain a mountain of essential data, increasing in importance depending on the industry. Take defence, for example; embedded systems made for defence purposes create, receive and send out critical data relevant to the product or system it was designed for. Cyber attackers can harm others by gaining access to this information. Cybersecurity embedded systems developers aim to increase the security of embedded systems and protect data. This usually occurs in the implementation phase and at the product level.
Key Responsibilities of a Cybersecurity Embedded Developer
An cybersecurity-embedded developer's common duties include:
- Analyse all potential risks and threats daily
- Test and debug any developed software related to cybersecurity
- Study potential threats to the system and communicate the risks in reports and to others
- Utilise several cryptographic methods, including monitoring the code and algorithms of the embedded system
- Design and implement new coding, software and programs to prevent or stop cyber attacks
- Coordinate with other specialists in embedded system jobs to ensure systems work and are secure
- Design application programming interfaces (APIs)
- Provide security and technical support to other teams
Essential Qualifications of a Cybersecurity Embedded Developer
Of all the embedded systems jobs, cybersecurity requires the most varied knowledge covering all sector areas. The amount of experience necessary to be a cybersecurity embedded developer highly depends on the position level.
The overarching qualifications and experience specification includes:
- Being an engineering school graduate with a specialism in cybersecurity or other relevant areas of study
- Familiarity with embedded systems, including how they work and their weaknesses
- Experience in computer network defence
- Having a solid understanding of cyber security attacks and embedded systems life cycle
- Having a solid understanding of PKI
- Proven programming experience in C, C++, or both
- Knowing numerous anti-virus software and their effectiveness
- Having expert knowledge of cryptography and all aspects of code
- Addressing issues with a creative flair
- Having the ability to work independently and on your initiative
Essential Soft Skills
In addition to the required qualifications and experience, you will also need a range of soft skills.
- Strong communication skills
- Problem-solver
- Critical thinking
- Analytical skills
- Trustworthy
- Accountability
- Able to learn continuously to stay up-to-date with new technologies
- Must have a high level of personal ethic
Embedded Systems Jobs: Key Findings
Exploring the top embedded systems jobs has brought to light the high demand in the industry. Embedded systems are found in increasing numbers of appliances for several sectors. This current technological and industry growth and the need for more qualified individuals means a large, lucrative gap in the job market for skilled professionals exists. Embedded systems jobs are rising across several reputable industries, such as defence, telecommunications, aerospace, and automotive.
These positions offer exciting prospects for anyone passionate about technological advancements and constant development. The roles discussed require a combination of tech-related qualifications, essential soft skills, and experience in multiple programs. From optimising algorithms and fortifying cybersecurity systems to the design and implementation of embedded systems, these roles are critical for the seamless functioning of a number of technical devices.
The need for adaptability, a positive attitude to learning, and the collaborative approaches these roles require demonstrate the evolving nature of embedded systems. This makes these jobs appealing prospects for professionals interested in impactful roles in the technological realm.
Specialists in Embedded Systems Recruitment
At Amoria Bond, we are experts in all things embedded systems, advanced technology, energy, and tech. We are dedicated to helping you fulfil your potential and achieve your career goals. Our team of experienced embedded systems recruitment consultants is committed to connecting the best candidates to exceptional global businesses in the sector.
Whether you are striving for a career in embedded systems, technology, or renewable energy, we have the resources to support you in your journey. Contact us today to begin your career.
