The embedded systems engineer role is highly coveted for two reasons. One, embedded systems engineers are front-runners when it comes to driving innovation in the world of robotics. And second, these jobs come with a wholesome salary package, perks, and benefits, making them a very popular choice of career among engineers.
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Top tech companies, including FAANG companies, are known for compensating embedded systems engineers handsomely. In this article, we will discuss:
- Role of embedded systems engineers at FAANG companies
- Levels of embedded systems engineers at FAANG companies
- Embedded systems engineer salary in the US
- Benefits of working as an embedded systems engineer
- Embedded systems engineer salary: Comparison of FAANG companies
- Embedded systems engineer salary: Comparison by location
- Tips to negotiate an embedded systems engineer salary
- FAQs on embedded systems engineer salary
Role of Embedded Systems Engineers at FAANG Companies
Top tech companies look for embedded systems engineer candidates who show versatility and leadership qualities. As an embedded software engineer at a FAANG company, you will be at the forefront of pioneering, developing, and building advanced technologies that will impact the world at large. The roles and responsibilities of an embedded software engineer are:
- To engineer and build products that contribute to the company’s products and services ecosystem.
- To help develop new technology tools that solve human problems and can be integrated into daily life easily.
- To design and develop superfast data center networks.
- Designing, developing, testing, deploying, maintaining, and improving system software.
- Managing your project priorities and deliverables.
- Developing and maintaining performance measurement tools used by the company for debugging, analyzing, and testing embedded products.
- Working on computer architecture, lower-level computer systems, embedded system products, and kernel development.
- Analyzing and enhancing the efficiency, scalability, and stability of system resources.
- Supporting software quality analysis and optimizing I/O performance.
- Providing post-production support to clients.
- Interfacing with the hardware design and development team for seamless integration and execution of the project.
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Levels of Embedded Systems Engineers at FAANG Companies
The salary for embedded systems engineers also depends on the level of engineer you are at the company. Typically, there are three levels:
- Entry-level embedded systems engineers: Embedded systems engineers who are just starting out in the field. You may need little or no work experience in embedded systems for this level.
- Junior embedded systems engineers: Engineers with some experience working with embedded systems.
- Senior embedded systems engineers: Engineers with considerable experience working with embedded systems.
Levels of Embedded Systems Engineers at Top Companies
The hierarchy and levels of embedded systems engineers differ in every company. Here are the embedded systems engineer levels at the top tech companies:
- Levels of embedded systems engineers at Facebook: E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8
- Levels of embedded systems engineers at Amazon: SDE I (L4), SDE II (L5), SDE III (Senior SDE), Principal SDE (L7), Senior Principal SDE (L8), Distinguished Engineer (L10)
- Levels of embedded systems engineers at Apple: ICT2, ICT3, ICT4, ICT5, ICT6
- Levels of embedded systems engineers at Google: Software Engineer II (L3), Software Engineer III (L4), Senior Software Engineer (L5), Staff Software Engineer (L6), Senior Staff Software Engineer (L7), Principal Engineer (L8), Distinguished Engineer (L9), Google Fellow (L10), Senior Google Fellow (L11)
- Levels of embedded systems engineers at Microsoft: SDE (59), 60, SDE II (61), 62, Senior SDE (63), 64, Principal SDE (65), 66, 67, Partner (68), 69, 70 (Distinguished Engineer), 80 (Technical Fellow)
Types of Embedded Systems Engineers
Mentioned below are the different types of embedded systems engineers:
- Micro-controller firmware engineer
- Embedded operating system engineer
- Embedded networking engineer
- Embedded applications engineer
- Embedded technology expert
Embedded Systems Engineer Salary in the US
According to Levels.fyi, the compensation package of an embedded systems engineer is quite attractive. The average base salary for an embedded systems engineer is $124,000 per year. It is a fixed component, and it is paid to the engineer irrespective of their or the company’s performance. The average senior embedded systems engineer salary range is from $106,000 to $154,500 per year.
The average bonus offered is $6,000 per annum. This component is linked to an embedded systems engineer's performance and is determined based on performance review. It usually varies for engineers even in the same salary band.
The average stock grant/profit-sharing offered to embedded systems engineers is $17,000. These are Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) issued to employees. Once vested, they can be freely traded.
The total average compensation of an embedded systems engineer in the United States is $147,000 per year.
Benefits of Working as an Embedded Systems Engineer
Along with the salary, bonus, and stock options, embedded systems engineers in top tech companies also receive lucrative perks and benefits so that they can have a well-rounded life. Here are some benefits offered to embedded systems engineers in addition to their compensation package:
Insurance, Health, and Wellness
- Health insurance -- UHC or Aetna, with or without HSA
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Maternity leave
- On-site clinic
- PTO: Vacation/Personal days
- Paternity leave
- Pet insurance
- Sick time
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Gym membership
- Transport allowance
Home
- Relocation bonus
- Remote work
- Immigration assistance
- Adoption assistance
- Company phones
- Fertility assistance
- Military leave
- On-site laundry
Source: Levels.fyi
Financial and Retirement
- 401k plan
- Employee stock purchase program
- Flexible spending account (FSA)
- Mega backdoor roth IRA
Perks and Discounts
- Employee credit
- Employee discount
- Tuition reimbursement
Source: Levels.fyi
Embedded Systems Engineer Salary: Comparison of Top Tech Companies
The embedded systems engineer salaries that FAANG+ companies offer are very competitive. Here’s a comparison of embedded systems engineer salaries offered by top FAANG companies. All figures reflect the average compensation for software engineers in the US
Here is the average compensation breakdown for each embedded software engineer salary at FAANG companies:
The embedded system engineer salary package at Facebook is one of the highest in the industry.
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Embedded Systems Engineer Salary: Comparison by Location
Here are the top 10 embedded systems engineer salaries in the United States based on location:
Tips to Negotiate an Embedded Systems Engineer Salary
There is always scope for negotiation in the salary package being offered to you. Here are a few pointers for you to remember when you are negotiating a compensation package:
- Build your case by being aware of your strengths, skills, and the value you bring to the role and the company.
- Familiarize yourself with the company software engineer salary trends.
- Remember to factor in the perks and benefits.
- You are not obligated to share the compensation you are currently receiving.
- You don’t necessarily have to share the compensation you are expecting.
- Build a good relationship with the hiring manager.
- Do not insist on receiving written offers.
- Remember to ask for a relocation package.
- There is a lot of publicly available compensation data. Compare the offer you have received before agreeing to anything.
- Read The Ultimate Guide to Salary Negotiation at FAANG for Software Engineers to hone your negotiation skills and get an offer that matches your value.
FAQs on Embedded Systems Engineer Salary
Q. What is the average salary of an embedded systems engineer?
The average annual salary of an embedded systems engineer in the US is $124,000 per year. The average senior embedded systems engineer salary range is from $106,000 to $154,500 per year.
Q. What are the possible career paths for an embedded systems engineer?
As an embedded systems engineer who is just starting, you can choose to take any of these career paths:
- Quality assurance (QA) engineer
- Embedded architect
- Project engineer
- Sales engineer
- Program management
- Marketing director
Q. How do Apple software engineer salaries differ in Cupertino, California, compared to New York City?
According to Talent.com, the average embedded systems engineer starting salary in California is $135,000. The average embedded systems engineer salary in NYC is $85,000.
Get Ready for Your Embedded Systems Engineer Interview
Most embedded systems engineers, software engineers, and coding engineers dream of working at a FAANG+ company, but very few achieve this dream. It takes the right guidance, a foolproof interview prep plan, hard work, and some smart decisions to get a job at a Tier-1 tech company.
If you need help with your prep, join Interview Kickstart’s Embedded Software Engineering Interview Course — the first-of-its-kind, domain-specific tech interview prep program designed specifically for Embedded Systems Engineers. Click here to learn more about the program.
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