Principal Embedded Software Engineer
Silvus Technologies · Irvine, CA
$180,000–$220,000from the description
Jun 29, 2026
Irvine, CA
Jul 21, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A principal-level embedded software engineering role focused on developing firmware and networking software for tactical wireless radio hardware. Day-to-day work spans Linux kernel driver development on ARM and RISC-V platforms, MAC and mesh networking protocol implementation, security and encryption features, and system-level performance testing. Suited to a seasoned embedded Linux engineer with strong C programming skills and a background in networking or wireless systems.
Senior level · 8+ years · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA · Bachelor's required · Full-time
Advertised as Principal, but the requirements read as Senior.
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
How this req sits in the market our data
Roughly 160 people in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area plausibly meet what this posting asks for (software developers). range 85–210
Applicant volume Moderate — A normal amount of company. The rare requirements below are what will separate a shortlisted application from the rest.
Rare in this occupation — lead with these, and say what you built with them.
What the occupation pays Median $164,459 (middle half $130,334–$195,752). This posting is about at that midpoint.
Estimated from BLS employment for this occupation and area, per-skill prevalence across our listing corpus, and published wage benchmarks — as of Jul 28, 2026. It is a model, not a headcount.
Why we read it this way (6)
The title is 'Principal Embedded Software Engineer' but the actual requirements — 8+ years of experience, hands-on individual contributor scope with no org-wide technical authority described — support a Senior band. The 'Principal' label here appears to be a title convention rather than a true top-of-ladder, org-wide authority role.
U.S. Citizenship is explicitly required (not just U.S. Person status) due to government contracts. No active security clearance is required, but candidates must pass a background check and drug test.
The role is fully onsite in Irvine, CA (Los Angeles–Anaheim metro area); remote work is not available.
MAC/networking protocol implementation, NIST FIPS 140-3, NIAP Common Criteria, audio/PTT, and Linux scripting appear in the responsibilities section rather than the qualifications section and are treated as context for the role rather than hard-gated skills.
Skills under 'Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities' (socket programming, CNSA algorithms, UltraScale+, PolarFire SoC, IPsec, Linux ISR) are listed as preferred.
Ignored 2 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): Linux kernel driver development, Linux ISR development.
Read the full posting
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