What Is an Embedded Software Engineer?

An embedded software engineer is responsible for creating, designing, and implementing software that controls electronic systems or devices. This software form is normally found in specialized, small devices such as automotive systems, medical equipment, and aeronautical systems. 

Embedded software engineering is a vital part of embedded systems technologies. It brings together classic software development with functional aspects of hardware and electronics design. 

In this blog, we will explain what an embedded software engineer is, the key skills needed to succeed, and what the role involves in this area.

What Does An Embedded Software Engineer Do?

An embedded software engineer is an expert who designs software to operate and control embedded devices. Electronic systems that do particular things, like communicating with other systems or controlling machinery, are known as embedded devices.

Embedded software engineers build, create, and test software for these specific devices. Collaborating with hardware engineers to guarantee compatibility between the hardware and software. They also ensure the smooth operation of the gadget. They must also troubleshoot and debug any issues during the process of software development.

An embedded systems software engineer must be knowledgeable in programming languages, including C and C++. They should also have practical knowledge of real-time and embedded operating systems. Additionally, they must keep up with technological advancements and industry advances to ensure they are providing their clients with the finest solutions.

Roles And Responsibilities Of An Embedded Software Engineer:

An embedded software engineer will especially be in charge of installing and designing software for embedded devices and systems. They might work as a part of a team of developers on huge projects. They may also be expert in developing software for a unique kind of embedded device. 

Here are some other specific roles and responsibilities that come with an embedded software engineering role.

• Explaining the specifications of the latest embedded systems software.

• Responding to requirements and briefs for software involved in embedded systems tasks.

• Writing and building the code for embedded software to run on particular machinery and devices. 

• Developing and testing embedded software to eliminate issues and ensure its functionality. 

• Designing software for the latest embedded system firmware and embedded systems.

• They help to execute software architecture on embedded devices. 

• Ensuring a high level of stability and security in embedded software.

• Observing the overall performance of embedded software and ensuring that stability, security, and efficiency are maintained.

• Maintaining documentation to illustrate how the software was created. 

• Creating a user manual for the final embedded software if the finished system needs it.

• Offering progress reports to senior team associates.

• Collaborating with other developers to develop full software systems.

• Offer advice and insight on proper hardware additions to an embedded system. 

Types Of Embedded Software Engineers:

There are 4 types of embedded software engineers role that are worth knowing. Let us know about each of them comprehensively so we can have complete knowledge about their roles. 

1. Embedded Systems Engineer

You can become an advanced embedded software engineer as an embedded systems engineer. Embedded systems engineers develop software and hardware systems operating multiple objects, including consumer electronics, medical equipment, and cars. Therefore, they must know software, hardware, and system design.

An embedded software engineer is accountable for developing software that controls a system’s hardware components. Therefore, they must have a complete knowledge of programming languages, system architecture, and algorithms. As they grow in their career path, an embedded software engineer may be facilitated to positions of leadership, such as technical manager or lead. Here, they can direct and oversee the development of multiple projects.

2. Senior Systems Embedded Engineer

When embedded software engineers attain expertise, they can grow to become Senior Embedded Systems Engineers. In this position, they guide a group of engineers and lead the expansion of complicated systems.

Additionally, they might be involved in embedded system architecture debugging, design, and testing. Generally, it takes multiple years of knowledge and a lucrative project delivery track record to go from embedded software engineer to senior embedded engineer.

3. Principal Embedded Systems Engineer

As a Principal Embedded Software Engineer, they will be acknowledged professionals in software development with complete expertise and knowledge in the whole lifecycle management of embedded software designs. 

They have the knowledge, especially in the areas of new software development, resolving important technical issues, and software maintenance. They also offer direction for the latest software process/technology development activities that have a major impact on the company’s objectives. This includes offering technical leadership for application software and firmware development and designs for medical diagnostic devices.

4. Embedded Architect

One of the highest levels of advancement in embedded software engineering is an Embedded Architect. He is responsible for developing, maintaining, and creating the architecture and solutions for embedded systems. An embedded architect is also responsible for defining system requirements, testing systems, and making design decisions. 

Additionally, they engage with cross-functional teams and also lead teams to make sure that the product fulfills the requirements. Therefore, an embedded architect must have exceptional leadership, high technical expertise, and communication skills.

Embedded Software Engineers Requirements:

An embedded software engineer will have a wide range of expertise in particular products and technologies. However, there are some basic required expertise and technical skills for embedded software engineers.

1. Embedded Systems Engineer 

This is a job title for less experienced and entry-level embedded engineers. These jobs normally require skills including:

• At least a bachelor’s degree in engineering or computer science.
• Programming experience in C++ or C, or both.
• Experience in embedded systems troubleshooting and development and also with real-time operating systems.
• Debugging experience.

2. Senior Systems Embedded Engineer

An embedded software engineer with more than a few years of experience will have this job title. Among the embedded software engineer jobs, senior systems embedded engineers require the below-mentioned skills, including:

• All of the experience and education of embedded systems engineers.
• Minimum of 7-8 years of experience in embedded systems, with more direct work in a variety of systems, real-time operating systems, and firmware development.

3. Principal Embedded Systems Engineer

The principal embedded systems engineer title is for highly experienced embedded engineers. These jobs require skills including:

• All of the experience and education of a senior embedded systems engineer.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience as an embedded systems designer, including designing the systems.

4. Embedded Architect

The Embedded Architect is responsible for the software implementation/design phase, performing the following tasks: tests, requirements, implementation, and analysis. 

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electronics/computer science engineering.
• Significant knowledge of programming languages, including C and C++.
• A minimum of 9-13 years of hands-on experience in complex embedded real-time software development and design.

Soft Skills Needed For An Embedded Software Engineer:

Embedded software engineers need the right training, experience, and education in a particular technical area to do well in their respective jobs. They also need important “soft” skills to qualify for their jobs and work well with other engineers. However, many believe that specific soft skills can be more vital. These skills emphasize how an embedded software engineer will interact with teams, know about particular concepts, and grow. 

Embedded systems engineers required soft skills include: 

• Time management and prioritization
• Creative problem-solving skill
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Analytical skills
• Adaptability and patience 
• A passion for technology and innovation

Soft skills required for senior embedded systems engineers include the following:

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Inductive reasoning
• Analytical skills 
• Patience and creativity
• Have an understanding of the balance between perfection and practical

Principle Embedded systems engineers required soft skills include: 

• All of the above-mentioned soft skills of an embedded system engineer and senior embedded systems engineer
• Significant communication skills
• Strong social competencies
• Willingness to learn and improve

Soft skills required for embedded architect engineers include the following: 

• Communication and collaboration skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving skills
• Time management skills 
• Continuous learning and improvement

How To Become An Embedded Software Engineer?

Here are the steps you can follow to become an embedded software engineer:

Pursue a Relevant Interest

Higher education can offer the skills and knowledge required to understand embedded systems and develop them. Some majors to consider include information technology, engineering, and computer science. 

Hiring managers might prefer you to have a bachelor’s degree only, while others may ask for more higher education, like a master’s degree. Here are a few educational paths that you might consider if you are pursuing a career as an embedded engineer.

• Associate Degree: This degree can make it easier for you to become familiar with basic software development and computer functionalities. Obtaining an associate degree often takes one or two years.

• Bachelor’s Degree: For any software-related job, a bachelor’s degree is the least requirement for becoming an embedded software engineer. Specific degree programs might teach you computer programming languages. It can also familiarize you with the essential components of hardware and software development.

• Master’s Degree: Relying on the hiring manager and the experience level you may need for a particular position, a master’s degree can offer you additional training and enhance your knowledge of software engineering. Obtaining a master’s degree may take 203 years to complete.

Acquire Experience Through Training

It may be helpful for you to complete an internship program or extra courses involving software engineering. An internship program can permit you to execute learning material from an academic degree program and boost your coding language knowledge.

Additionally, it is vital to know about coding languages, so you may want to think about taking further courses to learn how to code and utilize multiple languages efficiently. This is just because embedded systems mostly consist of various types of codes.

Select An Industry To Specialize In

An embedded software engineer can specialize in multiple industries. If you determine which industry you want to specialize in, you may acquire insight into particular languages or equipment the industry may utilize to develop its technology. 

For example, the construction industry may require an embedded systems engineer familiar with computer-controlled construction equipment. On the other hand, a bank might need an engineer familiar with finance terminology to help with developing its mobile banking application.

Obtain Certifications

Various certifications offer specialized knowledge of specific aspects of an embedded system, helping you streamline the development, design, and testing stages. 

Certifications can also assist you in understanding and utilizing programming languages to generate code, allowing you to support other programming language areas of software development. Some hiring managers or specific companies might require you to have certifications to show proficiency in embedded systems and code.

List Of Embedded Software Engineer Course:

Whether you are just beginning your journey or already have some prior experience, numerous websites offer embedded software engineering courses to fit your needs. Curated from top industry leaders and educational institutions, the selection of courses aims to offer quality training for everybody. 

For those pursuing skill advancement or a new career path, these courses can be a valuable resource to upskill your knowledge. Take the next step in your professional journey and enroll in an embedded software engineer course today.

Tonex’s Courses

Tonex’s embedded engineering courses provide both experienced and beginners with advanced and fundamental knowledge for developing, designing, and maintaining the systems.

Course Outline:

• Introduction to Embedded Systems
• Embedded Systems Architecture
• Embedded Programming with C/C++/Ada
• Hardware Design for Embedded Systems
• Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) for Embedded Systems
• Debugging, Testing, and Optimization

Coursera’s Courses

Coursera offers courses for embedded software engineers to help them with their career path and gain comprehensive insights into it. They offer a list of courses, including:

• An Introduction to Programming the Internet of Things (IoT) Specialization (6 months)
• Embedded software and hardware architecture (4 hours)
• Development of Secure Embedded Systems Specialization (5 months)
• Real-Time Embedded Systems Concepts and Practices (51 hours)
• Introduction to the Internet of Things and Embedded Systems (12 hours)
• Embedding sensors and motors specialization (5 months)
• Embedded hardware and operating systems (17 hours)
• Rapid prototyping of embedded interface designs (10 hours)
• Real-Time Embedded Systems Theory and Analysis (60 hours)
• UX and Interface Design for Embedded Systems (12 hours)
• Sensors and Sensor Circuit Design (32 hours)
• Modeling and Debugging Embedded Systems (8 hours)

edX Courses

One of the most popular websites, edX, offers a range of embedded systems engineering courses to improve engineers’ skills and knowledge. Check out the list of courses they offer, including: 

• Embedded systems essentials with Arm (4 months)
• Computer Vision for Embedded Systems (5 weeks)
• Embedded systems- Shape the World: Microcontroller Input/Output (8 weeks)
• Computer architecture (14 weeks)
• Fundamentals of TinyML (5 weeks)
• LinuxFoundationX: Building applications with RISC-V and FreeRTOS (7 weeks)

Udemy’s Courses

Because programming embedded systems is a hands-on exercise, Udemy’s host of exceptional embedded system instructors teach using hands-on methods. Whether you are mastering ARM processor programming or programming your first microcontroller, Udemy has a course for everyone.

• Mastering microcontroller and embedded driver development (28.5 hours)
• Unit testing and other embedded software catalysts (3 hours)
• The foundation of embedded systems with ARM cortex and STM32 (7.5 hours)
• Embedded system design using UML state machines (12.5 hours)
• Embedded systems using the ARM mbed platform (4.5 hours)
• Fundamentals of embedded systems (36 minutes)

These embedded software engineer course certifications can be useful and attractive to some companies and include:

• Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) with a highly professional membership organization SME, previously known as the Society for Manufacturing Engineers.
• CLED (Certified LabView Embedded Systems Developer) from National Instruments.
• CAP (Certified Automation Professional) from the International Society Of Automation. 

Embedded Software Engineer Job Descriptions:

Creating an effective and catchy job description for an embedded software engineer necessitates a deep knowledge of the technical qualifications and skills required for success in this field. Here are some points to help you write a powerful job description that will attract top candidates. 

• Start with a clear job title properly describing the roles and duties of the position.
• Comprehensively state the required qualifications and skills for the position, such as familiarity with debugging abilities, microcontroller programming, and circuit design.
• Provide a clear description of duties, including developing and designing embedded systems, working with cross-functional teams, and diagnosing software and hardware difficulties.
• Highlight any appropriate industry experience, such as experience working in the medical device or automotive industries.
• Add details on the company’s benefits, culture, and special features that may appeal to potential candidates. 

By following these pointers, you can easily write a job description that communicates the needs and expectations of the embedded software engineer function and also helps attract the best candidates.

Job Opportunities For Embedded Software Engineers

The opportunities for an embedded software engineer job are increasing at a faster pace than other software engineers. The demand is anticipated to reach 20%, and 300,000 fresh opportunities will be developed in that particular year.

Many software developing companies, including Bosch, L&T, Ather Energy, and Valeo, hire embedded engineers. According to Glassdoor, the average embedded system engineer’s salary is INR 5 LPA. It’s the correct time to upskill yourself and set your foot on a rising career. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated the number of future jobs in a range of industries. However, the organization does not track the embedded engineer’s path specifically, but it does track software developers and projects that the overall employment of software developers will reach 22% from 2019 to 2029. That is relatively faster than average for all other occupations.

Embedded Software Engineer Salary:

Embedded software engineers are in high demand because they are vital in designing and executing sophisticated systems in multiple sectors. An embedded software engineer’s salary varies depending on their expertise level, industry, and region.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an embedded software engineer is roughly $85,000 yearly in the United States. However, this can also rise to more than $130,000 for senior-level roles.

The average salary of an embedded engineer in India is between 5 and 10 Lakhs per annum. Benefits, stock options, and bonuses can all add to an embedded engineer’s total remuneration. Seeing the increasing demand for embedded systems, this is an amazing moment to work as an embedded software engineer.

Conclusion: 

An embedded software engineer helps develop, design, and maintain embedded systems in products. The role usually includes software development, but it also requires some knowledge of an embedded system. We have mentioned everything, including their roles, responsibilities, types, skills, courses, salary, and much more, to help you become an embedded engineer without facing any difficulty. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):