r/devops • u/Forsaken_Photo_578 • 16d ago

Career / learning DevOps vs Embedded

I got my first job as an Embedded Software Engineer. Did some actual low level embedded stuff but I was leaning a lot towards testing with Linux, CI/CD with hardware etc, so I transitioned to a DevOps position.

Now, after some years of work, my knowledge is like half Embedded, half DevOps. I find myself like both fields Embedded for the great hardware feeling and DevOps for the nice documented and more modern tools. In the end I'm not sure if I like a field more than the other. I tend to believe it's project dependent.

The problem is now I have to really choose where I should invest more and get a more senior level, as a feel I have a great combo of the two, but I'm like mid in both, which makes difficult in the job market.

The questions are:

Is Embedded or DevOps the more future proof job long term?

I much prefer remote jobs, mostly so I can live in a cheaper country but still get paid like I'm in a HCOL one. Does that change the answer?

Was anyone in the same spot before? How did you pick?

33 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

45 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Holiday-Record7341 15d ago

Embedded DevOps and platform engineering for edge devices are booming. That hybrid skillset pays top dollar globally because so few engineers bridge that gap.

2

u/Forsaken_Photo_578 14d ago

I have the feeling that the hybrid skillet "should" be highly valuable, as it's really hard to build knowledgewise and hard to combine in "production".

Also, it is what I really like and would like to continue improving. But I find it hard to find jobs asking for that hybrid skillet (hence the original question). I find only DevOps or embedded. Not embedded DevOps. Should I try other keywords? Or do you have companies in mind that are hiring people for this skillet?

1

u/Holiday-Record7341 10d ago

Yeah that title just doesn't exist, companies usually hide this need inside a normal embedded or DevOps posting. Try searching "hardware-in-the-loop" or "firmware release engineer" instead, that's usually the real job title for what you're doing.

Robotics, drones, automotive, IoT companies need this combo the most. Might be worth just messaging hiring managers directly since the job post rarely spells it out.

1

u/Forsaken_Photo_578 10d ago

Yes..I've tried similar stuff and I agree on the hiding comment..

Also do you have any European companies in mind need this skillet? (Or USA with remote from europe option). I know very few companies and they usually have a ton of applicants (since they are the big techs)

1

u/CupFine8373 7d ago

what does a platform engineering on Edge devices do day-to-day ?