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Embedded Systems Engineers

Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits

Any embedded systems–related experience you can obtain via internships or co-operative education programs during college will improve your chances of landing a job in the field.

Successful embedded systems engineers are excellent troubleshooters who are able to solve complex problems. They have strong communication, presentation, creative-thinking, time-management, leadership, organizational, and team-building skills. Other important traits include self-motivation, creativity and imagination, and the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team. Embedded systems engineers also need knowledge of (or must be willing to learn):

  • embedded development tools such as emulators, protocol analyzers, and logic analyzers
  • real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS, OpenRTOS, and Linux
  • microelectromechanical sensors such as accelerometers, compasses, and gyroscopes
  • computer-aided design software (e.g., Autodesk AutoCAD, Dassault SolidWorks, LinkCAD, Synopsys LightTools)
  • object- or component-oriented development programming languages (e.g., C, C+, C++, Visual Basic, Perl, Python, Java)
  • spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel)
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