Embedded engineering

Embedded engineering is the design of small computers and software that live inside other devices. The chip in a smart thermostat, a card reader, a coffee machine, or a fitness tracker runs embedded software built for that one job. Most small businesses never need embedded engineering directly. You meet it when you buy equipment, and when that equipment needs updates. It becomes relevant if you're making a physical product with smarts inside, like a small brand selling a connected plant pot or a smart pet feeder. Then you'll need specialist engineers, careful testing, and a plan for updates after sale, because fixing software on devices already in customers' homes is much harder than fixing a website.