Software Engineers – Low Supply, High Demand

Based on the theory of economics, a directly proportional relationship exists among technology and the market demand for software engineers.  As one increases the other increases, as one decreases the other decreases.  In our case, as technology has increased at a consistent rate over the last twenty years, the market demand for software engineers has directly followed.  Unfortunately, with the amount of educational programs that offer the specialized skills that software engineers need, a shortage has come over the marketplace for finding the right skilled software engineers. Nonetheless, because of the high demand of these skilled laborers, compensation and wages are at an all-time high and they are being scooped up by the top companies in the marketplace and highly incentivized to stick around for a while.  Among the array of job positions for software engineers, it is the embedded software engineers that are in the shortest supply and proving to be the most valuable to the companies that can find them.

Embedded Software Engineer

One of the fastest growing fields of technology lies in the embedded software space. You can think of embedded software to be similar to computer software, in which embedded software is programmed to control different types of devices or machines. The creation, configuration, and manipulation of embedded software can tell a machine what to do, when to do it, and where to do it. Embedded software engineers create software for manufactures to be used in cars, robots, appliances, toys, advanced security systems, telephones, pacemakers, and much more.

Common Embedded Software Technology

Linux

Linux is the most widely used operating systems that software engineers work with on a daily basis. Operating systems consist of various fundamental programs that allow the user to interact with the computer and run other programs simultaneously. These series of programs are used by a computer systems to receive the necessary instructions and communicate with the user to execute commands.  Linux is an open-source free software .As opposed to other popular operating systems, Linux is not owned by a single person or business entity. Most development into Linux is done by volunteers and active software engineers. 

Android

Android is an open-source operating system developed by Google. The Android operating system was designed for direct manipulation user interface.  In a simpler sense, touchscreen capability with mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, etc. The integration of a direct manipulation user interface was intended to mimic real-world voluntary movements like, tapping, swiping, pinching, and reverse pinching to control the manipulation of the on-screen objects on a smartphone or tablet computer.  Android operating system technology has become the number one mobile operating system worldwide and is currently used in over 190 countries worldwide.

System on chip (SOC)

The system on a chip or otherwise known as system on chip technology works through an integrated circuit that consolidates all of the components of a working electronic system into a single chip. System on a chip technology is most common is complex consumer electronics such as cell phones, digital cameras, etc. These devices powered by SoC microchips are known to carry more processing power and internal memory than a ten year old desktop computer.

CAN Bus

Controller area network or CAN bus is the standard designed vehicle bus that allows vehicle devices and microcontrollers to communicate with one another without an internal host computer.  Microcontrollers act as small computer on a single integrated circuit and through the message based protocol of the CAN, they are able to interconnect with each other inside a vehicle to create a demanded output.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Perhaps the fastest growing technology in the automotive electronics industry, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) utilize automation and enhancement technology in vehicle systems for higher safety and enhanced driving.  These embedded systems work to alert drivers of potential safety hazards while the vehicle is in motion. The automation can produce instant braking, adaptive cruise control, internal/external lighting, road hazard safety, and much more.  Most of these features are becoming standard additions into the original build of the car while others can be purchased as add-on packages. In March of 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it will require all new vehicles under five tons to have rear view cameras by May of 2018.

At On the Mark Recruiting Specialists, Inc. we specialize in the recruitment and placement of professionals in the automotive sector. Our customers are global and domestic manufacturers and suppliers to the OEM, Tier I and Tier II industry. As automotive electronics recruiters residing in Detroit, Michigan, the automotive capital of the world, we have built strong relationships with professionals who work among the world’s largest automakers and suppliers. We have earned a reputation of successful performance; only the most highly qualified candidates are presented to our customers.