The embedded systems industry is booming. From IoT devices and automotive systems to medical equipment and industrial automation, embedded engineers are in high demand. Yet, despite this growing need, companies are struggling to fill open positions.
A staggering 80% of embedded engineering job postings remain unfilled for months, sometimes even years. Why is this happening? And what can be done to bridge the gap?
In this article, we’ll explore:
- The root causes of the embedded engineer shortage
- Why traditional hiring approaches are failing
- How the skills gap is widening
- What companies can do to attract and retain top talent
- What aspiring engineers can do to break into the field
If you’re an embedded engineer, hiring manager, or tech enthusiast, this deep dive will help you understand the crisis—and how to navigate it.
1. Why Is There an Embedded Engineer Shortage?
A. The Explosion of Embedded Systems Demand
Embedded systems are everywhere—smart homes, wearables, autonomous vehicles, robotics, and even space exploration. The global embedded systems market is projected to reach $137 billion by 2027, growing at a 6.5% CAGR.
This rapid expansion means companies need more embedded engineers than ever before. But the supply isn’t keeping up.
B. The Specialized Skill Set Required
Unlike general software engineering, embedded development requires a unique combination of skills:
- Low-level C/C++ programming
- Real-time operating systems (RTOS)
- Microcontroller/microprocessor architectures (ARM, AVR, PIC, RISC-V)
- Hardware interfacing (SPI, I2C, UART, ADC, PWM, etc.)
- Debugging with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG/SWD
- Power optimization and memory constraints
Many computer science graduates focus on web or app development, leaving embedded as a niche field with fewer qualified candidates.
C. The Decline in University Embedded Programs
Universities are shifting toward higher-level software engineering and data science, reducing emphasis on electronics, firmware, and embedded systems. As a result:
- Fewer students graduate with hands-on embedded experience.
- Many EE/ECE programs focus more on theory than practical firmware development.
- Bootcamps and online courses rarely cover embedded topics in depth.
This has created a generational gap, where experienced embedded engineers are retiring faster than new ones are entering the field.
2. Why Are Companies Struggling to Hire?
A. Unrealistic Job Requirements
Many job postings demand “10+ years of experience” in technologies that are only a few years old (e.g., RISC-V, Zephyr RTOS). Others require expertise in 10+ different microcontroller families, discouraging otherwise qualified candidates.
The result? Companies wait indefinitely for a “unicorn” candidate who doesn’t exist.
B. Compensation Misalignment
Despite the high demand, some companies underpay embedded engineers compared to software developers in AI or cloud computing.
- Average Embedded Engineer Salary (AUS): AUD 90,000–AUD 135,000
- Average AI/ML Engineer Salary (AUS): AUD 148,750 –AUD 201,250
Many skilled engineers switch to higher-paying fields, worsening the talent crunch.
C. Lack of Remote Work Flexibility
Unlike web developers, embedded engineers often need lab access for hardware testing. Some companies insist on full on-site work, limiting their talent pool to local candidates.
However, hybrid models (remote coding + occasional lab visits) could widen the hiring net.
D. Slow Hiring Processes
Tech giants like Google and Facebook hire software engineers in 2–4 weeks. Meanwhile, embedded roles often take 3–6 months due to:
- Multiple rounds of technical interviews
- Take-home assignments (e.g., “Build a bare-metal driver”)
- Long approval chains in traditional industries (automotive, aerospace)
By the time an offer is made, top candidates have already accepted other positions.
3. The Widening Skills Gap
A. Fewer Hands-On Engineers
Modern engineers often rely on Arduino and Raspberry Pi, which abstract hardware complexities. While great for prototyping, they don’t teach:
- Register-level programming
- Interrupt latency optimization
- Writing efficient ISRs (Interrupt Service Routines)
- Bare-metal debugging
This creates a “knowledge gap” where engineers can build prototypes but struggle with production-grade firmware.
B. The Rise of “Firmware vs. Hardware” Silos
In many companies:
- Hardware engineers design PCBs but don’t understand firmware constraints.
- Firmware engineers write code but lack hardware debugging skills.
This disconnect leads to longer development cycles and more bugs, further straining the workforce.
C. Legacy Code & Outdated Tools
Many embedded projects still rely on:
- Proprietary IDEs from the 2000s
- Custom scripting languages
- Poorly documented codebases
Young engineers avoid these roles, preferring modern tools like VSCode, PlatformIO, and Zephyr RTOS.
4. How Can Companies Fix This?
A. Revamp Hiring Strategies
- Lower unrealistic requirements (e.g., accept candidates with 2–3 years of experience).
- Focus on fundamentals (C, RTOS, debugging) rather than specific MCUs.
- Offer apprenticeships to train junior engineers.
B. Improve Compensation & Benefits
- Match salaries to market rates (or exceed them).
- Offer signing bonuses & retention packages.
- Provide hardware lab access for remote workers.
C. Invest in Training & Upskilling
- Sponsor employees to attend embedded conferences (Embedded World, ESC).
- Provide internal workshops on modern tools (e.g., Rust for embedded).
- Encourage open-source contributions to attract talent.
D. Modernize Development Workflows
- Adopt CI/CD for firmware (e.g., GitHub Actions for automated testing).
- Use modern debug tools (e.g., SEGGER J-Link, Saleae Logic Analyzers).
- Move away from proprietary toolchains where possible.
5. What Can Aspiring Engineers Do?
A. Build a Strong Foundation
- Master C and modern C++ (avoid Arduino abstractions for serious projects).
- Learn RTOS concepts (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, ThreadX).
- Experiment with multiple MCU architectures (STM32, ESP32, Nordic, PIC).
B. Work on Real Hardware
- Buy a cheap STM32 dev board and write bare-metal drivers.
- Debug with an oscilloscope & logic analyzer (even low-cost ones).
- Contribute to open-source firmware projects.
C. Network & Showcase Skills
- Attend local maker meetups & IEEE events.
- Write technical blogs or create YouTube tutorials.
- Engage on LinkedIn and embedded forums (EEVblog, EmbeddedRelated).
Conclusion: Bridging the Gap
The embedded engineer shortage won’t disappear overnight. But by adjusting hiring practices, investing in training, and modernizing workflows, companies can attract more talent. Meanwhile, engineers who deepen their hardware skills and embrace modern tools will have a competitive edge.
The future of embedded systems is bright—but only if we address the talent crisis head-on.
