Embedded Systems Engineer

Grainger Businesses • SANTA ANA, CA

7d • $111,200 - $185,400 • Hybrid

About The Position

Help build robust edge software and integrate devices cleanly into our cloud ecosystem. This is an individual contributor role with ~50% focus on embedded/edge, plus meaningful collaboration across the edge-to-cloud pipeline. This position is not eligible for any form of sponsorship now or in the future. Individuals requiring sponsorship (e.g. OPT or H1B visa status) should not apply. Only individuals authorized to work in the United States now and for the foreseeable future will be considered for this position. The position is hybrid work location at our Santa Ana, CA office.

Requirements

• B.S./M.S. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related.
• 5+ years relevant software development experience with C/C++, Python. Some of this must include Linux experience as well as user space, and ideally kernel, fundamentals.
• Low-level interfacing experience: digital I/O, UART, I²C, SPI; comfort reading schematics and datasheets.
• Networking fundamentals and hands-on protocol work (TCP/IP, sockets; familiarity with HTTP(S), MQTT or similar).
• Strong CS foundations: concurrency/threading, memory management, OS concepts, data structures.
• DevOps fluency for edge: Git workflows; experience with CI systems (e.g., GitHub Actions/GitLab CI/Jenkins) to automate build & test; basic Docker/Podman usage to package edge apps.
• Effective cross-functional communication; clear technical writing.
• Embedded Linux distro/tooling: Yocto/OpenEmbedded or Buildroot; cross-compilers, CMake/GNU Make, toolchains.
• Driver/kernel experience (modules, device trees) and board bring-up.
• Real-time concepts: scheduling/latency, multi-threaded design; RTOS exposure (e.g., FreeRTOS) is a plus.
• Edge orchestration exposure: k3s/microk8s or interaction with Kubernetes-managed services; container registries and image versioning.
• Testing depth: GoogleTest/CTest, fuzz/static analysis (e.g., clang-tidy), HIL or emulator-based CI.
• Security depth: secure boot chains, firmware signing/rollback protection, certificate provisioning/rotation, secrets handling.
• Telemetry/observability: device logging, metrics, and remote diagnostics; familiarity with cloud monitoring/alerting patterns.
• Scripting for automation and data handling (Python/Bash).
• Agile delivery and tracking (Jira), code review culture, and documentation habits.
• Will and able to work on site in Orange County, CA.

Nice To Haves

• RTOS exposure (e.g., FreeRTOS)
• Edge orchestration exposure: k3s/microk8s or interaction with Kubernetes-managed services; container registries and image versioning.
• Testing depth: GoogleTest/CTest, fuzz/static analysis (e.g., clang-tidy), HIL or emulator-based CI.
• Security depth: secure boot chains, firmware signing/rollback protection, certificate provisioning/rotation, secrets handling.
• Telemetry/observability: device logging, metrics, and remote diagnostics; familiarity with cloud monitoring/alerting patterns.
• Scripting for automation and data handling (Python/Bash).
• Agile delivery and tracking (Jira), code review culture, and documentation habits.

Responsibilities

• Design & implement Linux software (C/C++, Python) for real-time sensing and device control of hardware.
• Integrate hardware & firmware: bring-up boards, write/maintain device drivers, and interface with peripherals (GPIO/UART/I²C/SPI/ADC/DAC).
• Build reliable connectivity: implement and harden device communications using TCP/UDP, HTTP(S)/REST, MQTT, and/or gRPC/Protobuf.
• Harden for production: performance tuning, resource/memory optimization, and fault-tolerant behaviors for large device fleets.
• Ship with discipline: contribute to CI/CD pipelines (build, test, package), containerize services for edge deployment, and support OTA releases.
• Secure the stack: apply secure-by-default practices (TLS, certs/identity, secure boot, signed updates, key handling).
• Test & observe: author unit/integration tests, support HIL testing, add logging/metrics for remote diagnostics and telemetry.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and cloud/backend teams to deliver features end-to-end on schedule.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment
• 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date)
• 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
• Employee discounts
• tuition reimbursement
• student loan refinancing
• free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
• Maternity support programs
• nursing benefits
• up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents
• up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree