The embedded-software market is fragmented, with all kinds real-time vendors and others who have software that's used outside of the conventional computer-system market. This diversity is a boon for software specialists who want to change jobs, since the number of distinct markets that make up the huge embedded industry means that slowdowns and cutbacks are limited.

Most real-time operating-system (RTOS) providers have a number of spots for engineers who understand deterministic software and have a grasp of target applications or knowledge of both, with the latter giving candidates a nice foot in the door. QNX Software Systems Ltd. (Kanata, Ontario, Canada) has openings for software developers who understand embedded systems, Windowing systems, graphics and network drivers, file systems and Windows 95/NT utilities. A senior kernel developer who can port a next-generation RTOS to CPUs is also needed along with a senior datacom-software developer.

There are plenty of openings at Integrated Systems Inc. (Sunnyvale, Calif.). Among them are a lead release engineer who can manage a large-scale development program and engineers who can write device drivers. Software engineers who understand AutoCode, RealSim, Java and ISI's Matrixx are sought along with embedded-controls engineers and quality-assurance engineers. Engineers who like to work with customers will find openings for field-application engineering positions.

At nearby Wind River Systems (Alameda, Calif.), the network group is looking for a software-development engineer who will integrate networking protocols with the company's network stack. Wind River's applications group and tools-development group are both looking for software engineers who can help create the next generation of the company's Tornado Development Environment.

The international nature of the real-time/embedded market is evident at Enea OSE Systems (Munich, Germany). The company is looking for a young software-development engineer and a project manager. In the United States, sales and customer engineers are both sought.

Software engineers certainly don't need to limit their search to traditional software providers. At most board and system houses software openings often surpass spots for hard-ware engineers.

Sun Micro jobs
One that's practically a gold mine for embedded-software engineers is Sun Microsystems Inc. (Mountain View, Calif.). The workstation maker has a couple of openings for programmers who have real-time and embedded programming skills.

For those who are able to expand beyond those horizons to Java, the opportunities explode. Not necessarily all of the 40-or-so openings for Java programmers at Sun's headquarters are in the embedded world, but many will be closely related. The same goes for a handful of Java spots in Chelmsford, Mass.

Programmers who don't care whether they work in embedded but just want to do software engineering might be able to end their search if they feel Sun is a good home. In the Silicon Valley area, Sun has more than 300 openings, with another 50 or so in Chelmsford. Even at its Broomfield, Colo., site, Sun has slots for around a dozen software engineers.