[All questions](https://jobicy.com/q.md) ML Mateo Lawrence asked the community # Can hardware projects replace experience for embedded jobs? [Careers by Field](https://jobicy.com/question-category/careers-by-field.md) Asked 31 Jul 2026 Active 31 Jul 2026 [Write an answer](#answer-form-container) [Log in to vote](https://jobicy.com/enter4715.php.md) Question details I have built several small embedded projects with microcontrollers, sensors, and custom PCBs, but I have no professional firmware experience and my applications are being rejected for embedded technician and junior firmware roles. Most advice says to gain experience through internships, yet I am already working full time and cannot take one without a major pay cut. Would a well-documented GitHub portfolio, test results, and a few contract projects realistically compensate for the missing workplace credential, or is formal industry experience still essential? Community responses ## 2 Answers Sort by Most likedNewest firstOldest first * SP Scarlett P. [31 Jul 2026](https://jobicy.com/q/1785479065-can-hardware-projects-replace-experience-for-embedded-jobs#answer-9393.md) Copy answer link Report answer A polished portfolio often beats an internship label, but not a missing work signal; for example, a shipped sensor product with a customer reference may change that, depending on target employers. * IJ Isaiah J. [31 Jul 2026](https://jobicy.com/q/1785479065-can-hardware-projects-replace-experience-for-embedded-jobs#answer-9366.md) Copy answer link Report answer If your projects demonstrate production-like discipline, they can offset some missing experience, but they won’t fully replace it. Prioritize one coherent project over several demos: requirements, hardware revisions, fault handling, tests, debugging notes, and readable code. Contract work helps most when it produces a reference or verifiable deliverable rather than another private codebase. Use one criterion: can a hiring manager see evidence that you can diagnose failures and maintain someone else’s system? If not, target adjacent roles or paid part-time work to acquire that proof. Formal experience remains the main exception for regulated or safety-critical positions. Join the discussion ## Want to answer? Log in or create an account to post answers, vote, and build your professional profile. [Log in or register](https://jobicy.com/dashboard-page.md) Community standards ## How thoughtful discussions stay useful How we moderate answers We review contributions for clear, actionable, professionally relevant guidance. Duplicate, promotional, low-quality, or unsupported content may be removed. 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