Gain essential insights into the Los Angeles aerospace embedded software talent market with our H2 2025 report. This guide explores how the rapid growth of space and aerospace ventures in Southern California is reshaping demand for embedded software engineers.
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Embedded Software (Aerospace LA) Talent Report
Matthew Turner
12th Jan 2026
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Key Highlights
- Market Trends: H2 2025 saw continued expansion of embedded software hiring across Los Angeles’ aerospace ecosystem. Newer, well-funded companies such as Impulse Space, Vast, Castelion, and Astrolab are scaling embedded teams aggressively as they move from early development into build, test, and deployment phases. This sustained build-out is driving consistent demand for embedded software engineers across the region.
- Emerging Skills: Employers are prioritising embedded engineers with strong C and C++ skills, Linux experience, and the ability to debug at a systems level. Real-time systems, sensor fusion, and low-level software expertise remain core requirements. Increasingly, aerospace companies are sourcing talent from adjacent sectors such as automotive, robotics, EVs, medtech, and IoT, where rigorous real-time and safety-conscious software practices translate well to aerospace environments.
- Hiring Challenges: Competition for experienced embedded software engineers remains intense, with aerospace accounting for an estimated 44% of embedded software demand in the LA market. While traditional aerospace and defence backgrounds are valued, supply is limited, pushing employers to broaden their hiring criteria and adapt candidates from other high-reliability sectors. Early-stage startups face additional pressure to compete with larger employers on compensation, stability, and benefits.
- Future Outlook: Demand is expected to remain strong into 2026 as Southern California continues to attract capital, talent, and new aerospace ventures. As embedded software becomes increasingly central to propulsion, autonomy, robotics, and space systems, companies that can offer meaningful ownership, modern software practices, and exposure to mission-critical systems will be best positioned to secure top embedded talent.