Embedded Systems Engineers

Employers

Embedded systems engineers work in many industries, including automotives, aviation/aerospace communications systems, entertainment, robotics, utilities, alternative energy, consumer goods, security, transportation, and medical equipment manufacturing.

Major employers include Microchip Technology, NXP Semiconductors, Toyota, Microsoft, Google, IBM, Tesla Motors, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Intel Corporation, Bosch, GE, Honeywell, Texas Instruments, U.S. government agencies, and the military. Engineers with advanced degrees can work as professors and researchers at colleges and universities.

Starting Out

Many engineers land their first jobs after participating in college internships at companies that develop embedded systems. An internship not only provides a good introduction to the job, it can help you build your professional network and give you a chance to impress your boss (which may lead to an offer for full-time employment). Some engineers break into the field after first working as embedded systems technicians or technologists. Other common job-search strategies include attending career fairs, using the resources of your school’s career services office, working with recruiters, accessing job listings at association and industry job sites, and being active on LinkedIn and other social networking sites.

Engineering associations also provide job-search resources. For example, the National Society of Professional Engineers provides webinars for its student members. Recent webinars included The Career Engineering Roadmap; Get Licensed, Get Ahead; How to Get Your First Job; and Engineering Your Career with a High Quality Social Network Web Seminar. Associations also frequently provide job listings at their Web sites.