Embedded Systems Engineer Salary UK 2025

💷 2025 GBP🇬🇧 UK Market⚖️ IR35🏙️ City📊 Seniority

Last updated: June 20257 min read • Written by: ClickMasters HR Team • Reviewed by: Reviewed annually

Direct Answer

Embedded Systems Engineer salaries range from £32,000 to £720–£1,000/day. IEC 62443 (industrial cybersecurity) and IEC 61508 (functional safety) expertise commands 30–50% premium for safety-critical roles. ARM architecture expertise (UK-headquartered ARM Holdings) is the most common embedded platform. Medical device software (IEC 62304) expertise is highly valued in Oxford/Cambridge/Surrey life sciences corridors.

Market Outlook

Embedded Systems Engineers are a specialised UK engineering profile — combining software engineering with hardware-level programming (C, C++, RTOS). Demand is driven by IoT expansion, electric vehicle technology, aerospace and defence, and medical devices.

Salary benchmarks by Seniority

Seniority
Permanent Salary
Day Rate (Outside IR35)
Annual Equivalent
Junior (0–2 yrs)
£32,000–£50,000
£250–£400/day
£46,650–£74,660
Mid-Level (3–5 yrs)
£50,000–£82,000
£400–£580/day
£74,660–£108,228
Senior (6–10 yrs)
£82,000–£120,000
£560–£780/day
£104,496–£145,548
Principal (10+ yrs)
£115,000–£170,000
£720–£1,000/day
£134,352–£186,600

IR35 Tax Position

Day rates assume outside IR35. Inside IR35 contractor day rates in the UK are typically 15–25% higher to compensate for the lack of tax efficiency and additional payroll costs. ClickMasters engineers are directly employed by us, representing **zero IR35 risk** for clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about embedded systems engineer salary standards.

Approximately £82,000–£120,000 mid-level. London +20–30%.

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