Embedded system designer
Also known as: embedded software developer, embedded systems designers, embedded systems developer, embedded systems programmer, embedded system programmer, embedded system developer
About this occupation
Embedded system designers translate and design requirements and the high-level plan or architecture of an embedded control system according to technical software specifications.
Essential skills and knowledge
- ICT communications protocols
- engineering control theory
- create software design
- provide ICT consulting advice
- signal processing
- task algorithmisation
- analyse software specifications
- tools for software configuration management
- real-time computing
- create flowchart diagram
- systems development life-cycle
- embedded systems
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Computer and Information Research Scientists (O*NET 15-1221.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
- Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
- Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
- Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Design computers and the software that runs them.
- Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Systems Analysis
US median pay: US$140,300 a year (2025), 37,200 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsExtremely important (4.6)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.1)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.9)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (3.6)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.3)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
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- Software Developers
- Computer Programmers
- Operations Research Analysts
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Bioinformatics Technicians
- Bioinformatics Scientists
- Database Architects
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.