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Bootloader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Non-Autosar platform - Bootloader, Diagnostics, peripheral drivers' development and integration, BSP integration * Telematics application development using Embedded C on Micro controllers from NXP ...

iRDK Platform Bring-Up (MediaTek C-X1)

Troy, MI · On-site

$123K - $162K/yr

Looking for experienced professionals with expertise in: ✅ BSP Development ✅ C/C++ & Python ✅ ECU Development ✅ Bootloader / Kernel / BSP Bring-up ⭐ Preferred: * SoC Bring-up * MediaTek ...

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Bootloader information

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$37K

$129.1K

$399K

How much do bootloader jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for bootloader in the United States is $129,093.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,000.00 and $133,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a bootloader?

A bootloader is a small program that starts up on a device when it is powered on and is responsible for loading the operating system or firmware. It initializes the hardware, verifies and loads the main system software, and often provides features for updating or recovering the device's software. Bootloaders are crucial in embedded systems, smartphones, and computers, and their security is essential to prevent unauthorized modifications. Understanding how a bootloader works is important for developers who work with low-level system programming or custom device firmware.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a bootloader engineer?

To thrive as a Bootloader Engineer, you need a solid background in embedded systems, C/C++ programming, and a degree in computer engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as JTAG debuggers, version control systems, and experience with microcontroller architectures is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication help you troubleshoot issues and collaborate across teams. These skills are crucial for ensuring reliable system startup, device security, and seamless firmware updates.

What are some common challenges a bootloader engineer faces when working with new hardware platforms?

A Bootloader Engineer often encounters challenges such as ensuring compatibility with diverse hardware architectures, debugging low-level hardware initialization issues, and managing secure boot processes. Because bootloaders operate at the earliest stage of device startup, even small errors can prevent the system from booting, requiring a strong understanding of both hardware schematics and firmware. Collaboration with hardware engineers and embedded software teams is essential to resolve issues and optimize performance, especially when integrating support for new chipsets or custom boards.

What is the difference between Bootloader vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectBootloaderFirmware Engineer
Required CredentialsKnowledge of embedded systems, low-level programming, and hardware interfacesProficiency in embedded C/C++, hardware integration, and debugging skills
Work EnvironmentEmbedded systems, hardware development, often in manufacturing or product designSoftware development, embedded systems, product development teams
Industry UsageUsed in device initialization, hardware setup, and system startupDevelops, tests, and maintains firmware for devices and systems

While a Bootloader focuses on initializing hardware and loading the main firmware, a Firmware Engineer designs and develops the software that runs on embedded devices. Both roles require embedded systems knowledge, but Bootloaders are more hardware-focused, whereas Firmware Engineers work on the overall software functionality.

What can a bootloader do?

A bootloader is a program that initializes hardware and loads the operating system when a device is powered on. It can also provide options for selecting different OS versions, perform system recovery, and update firmware. Skills in embedded systems and familiarity with hardware are often required for this role.
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What job categories do people searching Bootloader jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Bootloader jobs are:

Infographic showing various Bootloader job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, and 24% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $129,093 per year, or $62.1 per hour.

Software Engineer, Embedded Systems/Firmware, Pixel Bootloader

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Google Inc.
Software Development • 10K+ employees

$150 - $200/hr

Other

Posted 12 days ago


Google rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Software Engineer, Embedded Systems/Firmware, Pixel Bootloader

Share Software Engineer, Embedded Systems/Firmware, Pixel Bootloader

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corporate_fare Google place Mountain View, CA, USA

Mid

Experience driving progress, solving problems, and mentoring more junior team members; deeper expertise and applied knowledge within relevant area.

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
  • 2 years of experience with software development in C.
  • 2 years of experience working with embedded operating systems.
Preferred qualifications:
  • Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or a related technical field.
  • 2 years of experience with data structures and algorithms.
  • Experience with common debug or trace technologies (e.g., JTAG, ARM SWD, ARM CoreSight, gdb, TRACE32, etc.).
  • Experience developing embedded software in bare-metal microcontroller firmware, RTOS, bootloaders (e.g., BIOS, uboot, UEFI, coreboot, etc.), or Linux kernel.
  • Experience with modern SoC architecture, system bring-up, debug, or trace techniques.
  • Proficiency in the Rust programming language.
About the job

Google's software engineers develop the next-generation technologies that change how billions of users connect, explore, and interact with information and one another. Our products need to handle information at massive scale, and extend well beyond web search. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from all areas, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking and data storage, security, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, UI design and mobile; the list goes on and is growing every day. As a software engineer, you will work on a specific project critical to Google’s needs with opportunities to switch teams and projects as you and our fast-paced business grow and evolve. We need our engineers to be versatile, display leadership qualities and be enthusiastic to take on new problems across the full-stack as we continue to push technology forward.

Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $147000 - $210000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google .

  • Own and deliver bootloader and firmware features in C and Rust.
  • Participate inbringing up new Pixel devices throughout the full development cycle such as pre-silicon emulation environments, SoC development boards, prototypes, mass production, and in-market.
  • Participate in software planning, design, and implementation of software features in areas such as interconnect, boot, reset, memory, high speed IO, low speed IO, interrupt controllers, and security.
  • Debug issues involving complicated multi-faceted interactions between silicon, hardware, firmware, software, and the environment.
  • Work in a variety of code bases (e.g., C, Rust, and Python).

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy , Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal , Belonging at Google , and How we hire .

Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.

Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants. GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, are subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement. They have no impact on statutory payments. Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.

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