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Embedded Systems Engineers at high-growth companies earn $144K–$209K. Median: $175K. Based on 188 public job postings (2025–2026). US DOL certified wage filings (FY2026): $150K median. Recruiting from Scratch's network includes 4,500+ embedded systems engineers, including 350+ with top-tier-company experience.
Median: $175K · Based on 188 public job postings · Updated August 9, 2026
An Embedded Systems Engineer integrates hardware and software to create innovative embedded products. These engineers are pivotal in developing technology like microprocessors, Bluetooth devices, and chips, utilizing their in-depth knowledge of firmware and software. Whether it's for self-driving cars, medical devices, or consumer products, the expertise of an Embedded Systems Engineer is crucial across various industries.
Embedded Systems Engineers are tasked with several key responsibilities:
Embedded Systems Engineers should have hands-on experience with:
When interviewing for an Embedded Systems Engineer, consider asking:
How do you optimize code for embedded systems' memory and processing constraints?
Describe a challenging embedded systems project and how you addressed its challenges.
What's the role of RTOS in embedded systems, and which ones have you worked with?
How do you ensure the reliability and security of embedded systems?
What strategies do you use for debugging embedded systems?
Discuss your experience with communication protocols in embedded systems.
Describe your approach to embedded systems testing for robustness.
Have you worked with IoT devices? What challenges did you face?
An Embedded Systems Engineer's compensation can vary, but our data from 108 real postings shows a median salary of $175K. The typical range for this role falls between $140K and $196K. We help clients benchmark competitive offers to attract top talent.
Hiring an Embedded Systems Engineer can be a competitive process. While the industry average for filling this role is typically 45-60 days, our specialized approach often shortens this timeline significantly. We pride ourselves on an average placement time of just 29 days for these critical positions.
When hiring an Embedded Systems Engineer, prioritize candidates with strong foundational knowledge in C/C++ and real-time operating systems (RTOS). Look for practical experience with hardware-software integration, debugging, and low-level programming. Our experience with over 300 placements suggests that problem-solving ability and a meticulous approach to design are crucial indicators of success.
Effective assessment involves a combination of technical interviews and practical problem-solving exercises. Ask candidates to describe their experience with specific hardware platforms or development tools. We often recommend presenting a real-world design challenge to gauge their analytical skills and approach to complex embedded problems.
Historically, Embedded Systems Engineer roles have often been in-person due to the need for physical hardware access and lab work. However, we've seen a growing trend towards hybrid or even fully remote models for certain aspects of the role. Companies are adapting by providing remote access to development boards or shipping hardware, though some hands-on tasks still require on-site presence.
San Francisco
New York
Based on companies with 3+ active postings. Median of publicly advertised salary range.
Typical experience required: 5–5 years.
Embedded Systems Engineers are machine-learning and AI engineers who build, train, and ship models into production. This benchmark reflects Mid-level base compensation at high-growth and AI-native companies.
For corroboration, U.S. Department of Labor certified wage filings (FY2026) show a median of $150K for Embedded Systems Engineer roles, ranging $129K–$178K, across 174 filings. This is reported separately from — never blended with — the job-posting median above.
What is the average Embedded Systems Engineer salary at an AI startup?
The median pay is $175K, with a typical range of $144K–$209K, based on 188 public job postings collected in 2025–2026.
Where does this salary data come from?
It is aggregated from public job postings on company career pages — no private placement or client data. We require a minimum of 15 postings per role.
Figures are the midpoint of each posting's advertised USD salary range, aggregated from 188 public job postings (2025–2026). The range shown is the 25th–75th percentile; the median is the 50th percentile. Equity is separate and not included; where a posting's range reflects on-target earnings (OTE) for commission roles, that is included in the midpoint. Roles require at least 15 postings to be published. Last refreshed August 9, 2026.
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