We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

embedded systems developer

Save
April 2, 2024 Updated May 19, 2025 19 minute read

A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming an Embedded Systems Developer

Embedded systems developers are the architects and programmers behind the specialized computer systems that control countless devices we interact with daily. From the anti-lock braking system in your car to the firmware running your smartwatch, embedded systems are everywhere, performing dedicated functions within larger mechanical or electrical systems. This field offers the unique challenge of working closely with hardware, optimizing performance under constraints, and seeing your code directly impact the physical world.

Share

Help others find this career page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Salaries for embedded systems developer

City
Median
New York
$140,000
San Francisco
$167,000
Seattle
$140,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$140,000
San Francisco
$167,000
Seattle
$140,000
Austin
$137,000
Toronto
$102,000
London
£84,000
Paris
€55,000
Berlin
€84,000
Tel Aviv
₪465,000
Singapore
S$130,000
Beijing
¥742,000
Shanghai
¥360,000
Shenzhen
¥589,000
Bengalaru
₹376,000
Delhi
₹729,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to embedded systems developer

Take the first step.
We've curated 24 courses to help you on your path to embedded systems developer. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Is an official guide to OpenGL ES 3.0, providing a comprehensive and detailed overview of the API. It is an excellent resource for beginners and experienced developers alike, covering the fundamentals of OpenGL ES 3.0 as well as advanced topics such as shaders and advanced rendering techniques.
Cornerstone for understanding how to effectively use the features introduced in C++11 and C++14. It provides practical, guideline-based advice that is essential for writing correct, efficient, and maintainable modern C++ code. Widely regarded as a must-read for intermediate to advanced C++ developers, it solidifies understanding of key modern idioms and best practices.
Provides a thorough and detailed exploration of the features introduced in the C++20 standard. It is essential for developers looking to utilize the latest capabilities of the language, including Concepts, Ranges, Coroutines, and Modules. It serves as a comprehensive guide to contemporary C++.
Is the authoritative guide to the C++ concurrent and parallel programming facilities, covering C++11, C++14, and C++17. It dives deep into threads, mutexes, futures, and other concurrency tools. Essential for anyone writing multithreaded applications in modern C++, it key resource for contemporary C++ development.
Provides a comprehensive overview of OpenGL ES for medical imaging. It covers the basics of OpenGL ES as well as advanced topics such as medical imaging and visualization.
Provides a comprehensive overview of advanced OpenGL ES shading techniques. It covers topics such as lighting, shadows, and special effects.
Comprehensive guide to Mercurial, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics. It great resource for both beginners and experienced Mercurial users.
Provides a comprehensive guide to C++ templates. It valuable resource for developers who want to learn about templates and how to use them effectively.
An updated perspective on concurrency in modern C++, this book covers the features available in C++11, C++14, C++17, and C++20. It complements 'C++ Concurrency in Action' with potentially newer insights and coverage of the latest standards. Essential for writing concurrent applications.
Is an official guide to OpenGL ES 2.0, providing a comprehensive and detailed overview of the API. It is an excellent resource for beginners and experienced developers alike, covering the fundamentals of OpenGL ES 2.0 as well as advanced topics such as shaders and advanced rendering techniques.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the C++ standard library. It valuable resource for developers who want to learn about the standard library and how to use it effectively.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Git, covering both the basics and advanced techniques. It's a great choice for developers who want to learn how to use Git effectively.
Teaches modern C++ design techniques, such as generic programming and design patterns. It valuable resource for developers who want to write high-quality, reusable C++ code.
Comprehensive guide to Git, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics. It great resource for both beginners and experienced Git users.
Provides a comprehensive and in-depth guide to C++ templates, covering features up to C++17. Templates are a powerful and complex part of C++, and this book is essential for mastering them. It valuable resource for advanced C++ programmers looking to deepen their understanding of generic programming.
An excellent comprehensive introduction to C++ for beginners and those with some programming experience, covering C++11 features. It provides a solid foundation in the core language and standard library. is widely used as a textbook in universities and is highly recommended for gaining a broad understanding of C++.
Focused specifically on move semantics and rvalue references, this book provides a comprehensive explanation of these crucial C++11 features. Understanding move semantics is vital for writing efficient modern C++ code, especially when dealing with resources. offers a thorough treatment of the topic.
Targeted at professional developers, this book offers broad coverage of C++ and its use in real-world applications, updated for C++23. It includes topics on software design, best practices, and advanced features like concurrency and networking. It's a solid resource for deepening understanding and applying C++ professionally.
Provides a deep dive into C++ lambda expressions, a powerful feature introduced in C++11 and enhanced in later standards. It covers their mechanics, usage patterns, and evolution up to C++20. Essential for mastering functional programming paradigms in modern C++.
Provides a comprehensive overview of OpenGL ES for mobile devices. It covers the basics of OpenGL ES as well as advanced topics such as mobile device programming and 3D graphics.
Authored by the creator of C++, this is the definitive and comprehensive reference to the language, updated for C++11. While dense, it provides deep insight into the language's design and features. It is an invaluable resource for gaining a thorough understanding of C++ and is often used as a reference by professionals and in academic settings.
Table of Contents
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser