Embedded Systems
UCSC Silicon Valley Extension · Santa Clara, CA
- Cost
- $6,570
- Length
- 36 weeks
- Working 6 months later
- 91%
Program names, program descriptions and occupation titles appear here in English, because that is the only language the federal and state records publish them in. Everything else on this page is translated.
What happened to people who took this
- People enrolled
- 98
Small group — treat with caution
- Finished the program
- 79%Based on 19 peopleTypical California program: 85% of 1,951 reportingThat median pools every California program that reported this measure, whatever its length, credential, or field, and leaves out the ones that reported nothing. It is a reference point, not a rating of this program.
- Working 6 months later
- 91%Typical California program: 69% of 1,690 reportingThat median pools every California program that reported this measure, whatever its length, credential, or field, and leaves out the ones that reported nothing. It is a reference point, not a rating of this program.
- Earnings in one quarter after
- Not reported
The jobs this trains for
This describes the jobs people do, not the classes this program teaches. It comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, which asks people already doing the work. The Department publishes it in English only, so the job names and the sentences below stay in English on this page.
Trains for more than one job. The outlook shown is the weakest of them.
Where California publishes a separate figure for San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA (San Benito and Santa Clara Counties), it appears beneath the statewide one. Statewide stays the headline: people who train here do not necessarily work here.
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Job ads may call this: Data Processing Manager · Technical Services Manager · Computing Services Director · Application Development Director
Some of what people in this job do. The Department rates how important each one is, and they appear in that order.
- Manage backup, security and user help systems.
- Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
- Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
What this pays in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA (San Benito and Santa Clara Counties)
Each bar runs from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth. The darker middle is where half the people are, and the line is the median.
| Area | The lowest-paid tenth earn under | Half earn under | The highest-paid tenth earn over |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA (San Benito and Santa Clara Counties) | $167,158 | $296,553 | $383,386 |
| Across California | $132,150 | $221,952 | $331,439 |
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2026 figures for San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA (San Benito and Santa Clara Counties) beside the same figures for the whole state. A region can sit well below or above the statewide spread, and the statewide number is the one most often quoted — so where they differ, the local row is the one that describes the work near this program.
- Typical pay in California
- $221,952per yearSan Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: Not reported
- Projected openings
- 82,270San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: 16,630
- Projected change
- +16.5%
- Usually needs
- Bachelor's degree
Getting in
- Experience needed first
- 5 years or more in a related job
- Training after you are hired
- None
Most people hired for this job have already spent 5 years or more in a related one. Finishing this program may not be enough on its own. Ask the provider who hires their graduates, and what those people did before.
These are the federal government's answers for the occupation, not rules this provider sets. California publishes the same two answers for every one of these jobs.
What people in this job actually studied
Most common: Four-year degree — 46% of the people doing this work.
California says this job usually needs: Bachelor's degree. 26% of the people doing it went less far than that.
- No high school diploma
- 0.6%
- High school diploma
- 4%
- Started college, no degree
- 13%
- Two-year degree
- 8%
- Four-year degree
- 46%
- Master's degree
- 25%
- Doctorate or professional degree
- 3%
This counts people already doing this job, across the whole United States. Every other figure on this page is California's, and the federal government publishes no state version of this one. It is what people happen to have, not a rule about who gets hired. A small row does not mean you would be turned away, and a large one is not a promise of a job.
Computer Network Support Specialists
Pay, hiring, and what people studied
Job ads may call this: Network Specialist · Network Technician · Systems Specialist · Network Technical Analyst
- Back up network data.
- Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
- Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
- Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
Show 4 more things this job involves
- Document network support activities.
- Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.
- Install network software, including security or firewall software.
- Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues.
What this pays in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA (San Benito and Santa Clara Counties)
Each bar runs from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth. The darker middle is where half the people are, and the line is the median.
| Area | The lowest-paid tenth earn under | Half earn under | The highest-paid tenth earn over |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA (San Benito and Santa Clara Counties) | $76,185 | $127,605 | $211,150 |
| Across California | $51,492 | $81,407 | $153,109 |
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2026 figures for San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA (San Benito and Santa Clara Counties) beside the same figures for the whole state. A region can sit well below or above the statewide spread, and the statewide number is the one most often quoted — so where they differ, the local row is the one that describes the work near this program.
- Typical pay in California
- $81,407per yearSan Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: $101,167
- Projected openings
- 9,510San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: 640
- Projected change
- +5.8%
- Usually needs
- Associate's degree
Getting in
- Experience needed first
- None
- Training after you are hired
- 1 to 12 months
What people in this job actually studied
Most common: Four-year degree — 37% of the people doing this work.
California says this job usually needs: Associate's degree. 36% of the people doing it went less far than that.
- No high school diploma
- 1%
- High school diploma
- 11%
- Started college, no degree
- 24%
- Two-year degree
- 15%
- Four-year degree
- 37%
- Master's degree
- 11%
- Doctorate or professional degree
- 1%
Computer Network Architects
Pay, hiring, and what people studied
Job ads may call this: Network Analyst · Systems Engineer · System Programmer · Network Consultant
- Develop disaster recovery plans.
- Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
- Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
- Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
Show 3 more things this job involves
- Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
- Coordinate installation of new equipment.
- Monitor and analyze network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.
What this pays in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA (San Benito and Santa Clara Counties)
Each bar runs from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth. The darker middle is where half the people are, and the line is the median.
| Area | The lowest-paid tenth earn under | Half earn under | The highest-paid tenth earn over |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA (San Benito and Santa Clara Counties) | $132,961 | $191,320 | $282,184 |
| Across California | $99,787 | $163,317 | $231,226 |
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2026 figures for San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA (San Benito and Santa Clara Counties) beside the same figures for the whole state. A region can sit well below or above the statewide spread, and the statewide number is the one most often quoted — so where they differ, the local row is the one that describes the work near this program.
- Typical pay in California
- $163,317per yearSan Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: $178,852
- Projected openings
- 9,510San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara MSA: 1,960
- Projected change
- +11.8%
- Usually needs
- Bachelor's degree
Getting in
- Experience needed first
- 5 years or more in a related job
- Training after you are hired
- None
Most people hired for this job have already spent 5 years or more in a related one. Finishing this program may not be enough on its own. Ask the provider who hires their graduates, and what those people did before.
What people in this job actually studied
Most common: Four-year degree — 39% of the people doing this work.
California says this job usually needs: Bachelor's degree. 46% of the people doing it went less far than that.
- No high school diploma
- 1%
- High school diploma
- 8%
- Started college, no degree
- 21%
- Two-year degree
- 15%
- Four-year degree
- 39%
- Master's degree
- 14%
- Doctorate or professional degree
- 1%
Program details
This is a hybrid or blended program providing both in-person and online instruction.
Embedded systems refer to a growing range of function-specific computer and communication systems, including mobile devices, Internet of Things, networking equipment, industrial controllers and military electronics. This certificate program offers a comprehensive curriculum in Embedded Systems that will help new engineers gain experience in the field, and benefit practitioners who want to keep up with changing technology. Instruction is geared to working professionals in a wide variety of fields, including: ? Hardware design: System architecture, board design, protocols and components? FPGA implementation: Logic design, verification and system implementation? Firmware and device programming: CPU architecture, IO and memory interface ? Embedded software development: Real-time embedded programming, Linux-based systemsProgram Benefits: Wide variety of embedded topics helps students develop areas of specialization Courses taught by working professionals Board and programming projects for hands-on learning Courses frequently updated to reflect changing technology and industry needs.
Someone else may be able to pay for this
This program was on California's Eligible Training Provider List when the state last reported it to the U.S. Department of Labor (2026-08-04). Programs on that list can be paid for through an Individual Training Account. Listings are renewed periodically and can lapse, so a program listed when the state last reported may not be listed today. Ask before you rely on it.
The place to ask is an America's Job Center of California
North San Jose America`s Job Center of CaliforniaAffiliate site
Phone: 408-216-6200
1901 Zanker RoadSan Jose, CA 95112about 2.8 miles away
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Has a veterans' representative
NOVAworksComprehensive center
Phone: 408-730-7232
456 W. Olive AvenueSunnyvale City HallSunnyvale, CA 94086about 4.5 miles away
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
San Jose Job CenterComprehensive center
Phone: 408-794-1101
1608 Las Plumas AvenueWork2Future-Silicon Workforce Development BoardSan Jose, CA 95133about 5.5 miles away
Hours: Monday - Friday 8a-5p
Distances are straight-line, so the drive is longer. Call before you travel: opening hours here are as the federal directory published them, and the state notes its own staff are not present at every location.
Find a center anywhere in California, and check what is on the list today:
CareerOneStop — American Job Center Finder (U.S. DOL) · California EDD — Office Locator · California EDD — Eligible Training Provider List
How this gets paid for, and what to ask →
Whether a person can have a program paid for is decided by their local workforce development board and the America's Job Center staff who interview them — not by this site, and not by the training provider. California has 45 local workforce development areas and each sets its own policies, so the answer can differ between two people in neighboring counties. Nothing here is a promise of funding or a determination of eligibility.
The rules cited here, and the state and federal sites linked to, are published in English.
How this site gets its figures, and what they do not tell you →