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Contract Firmware Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aquent

Technical Program Manager -- Firmware

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$152K - $196K/yr

Coordinate dependencies across hardware, firmware, software, systems engineering, functional safety ... contract manufacturer coordination. * Manage release strategy, defect triage, defect burn-down ...

New

Aquent

Technical Program Manager -- Firmware

Fremont, CA · On-site

$141K - $182K/yr

Coordinate dependencies across hardware, firmware, software, systems engineering, functional safety ... contract manufacturer coordination. * Manage release strategy, defect triage, defect burn-down ...

New

Aquent

Technical Program Manager -- Firmware

Sonoma, CA · On-site

$144K - $187K/yr

Coordinate dependencies across hardware, firmware, software, systems engineering, functional safety ... contract manufacturer coordination. * Manage release strategy, defect triage, defect burn-down ...

New

Aquent

Technical Program Manager -- Firmware

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$153K - $198K/yr

Coordinate dependencies across hardware, firmware, software, systems engineering, functional safety ... contract manufacturer coordination. * Manage release strategy, defect triage, defect burn-down ...

New

Aquent

Technical Program Manager -- Firmware

Alameda, CA · On-site

$149K - $193K/yr

Coordinate dependencies across hardware, firmware, software, systems engineering, functional safety ... contract manufacturer coordination. * Manage release strategy, defect triage, defect burn-down ...

New

Aquent

Technical Program Manager -- Firmware

San Jose, CA · On-site

$151K - $195K/yr

Coordinate dependencies across hardware, firmware, software, systems engineering, functional safety ... contract manufacturer coordination. * Manage release strategy, defect triage, defect burn-down ...

New

Aquent

Technical Program Manager -- Firmware

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$146K - $190K/yr

Coordinate dependencies across hardware, firmware, software, systems engineering, functional safety ... contract manufacturer coordination. * Manage release strategy, defect triage, defect burn-down ...

New

Aquent

Technical Program Manager -- Firmware

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$141K - $182K/yr

Coordinate dependencies across hardware, firmware, software, systems engineering, functional safety ... contract manufacturer coordination. * Manage release strategy, defect triage, defect burn-down ...

New

Aquent

Technical Program Manager -- Firmware

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$150K - $194K/yr

Coordinate dependencies across hardware, firmware, software, systems engineering, functional safety ... contract manufacturer coordination. * Manage release strategy, defect triage, defect burn-down ...

New

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsContract Firmware Engineer JobsContract Firmware Engineer Jobs in California

Contract Firmware Engineer information

See California salary details

$74K

$165.2K

$202.3K

How much do contract firmware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract firmware engineer in California is $165,245.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,100.00 and $202,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract firmware engineer?

A Contract Firmware Engineer is a professional who develops and tests low-level software that interacts with hardware components, typically on a temporary or project-specific basis. They work with embedded systems, microcontrollers, and device drivers to ensure proper functionality. Contract roles often involve short-term assignments for specific projects or product development cycles. These engineers collaborate with hardware teams, troubleshoot firmware issues, and optimize code for performance and efficiency.

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

To thrive as a Contract Firmware Engineer, you need strong experience in embedded systems design, proficiency with C/C++ programming, and a solid understanding of hardware-software integration. Familiarity with tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, debuggers, and version control systems like Git is typically required, along with knowledge of popular microcontroller platforms. Excellent problem-solving skills, flexibility, and effective communication are highly valued in this contract-based role. These skills are essential for delivering high-quality firmware solutions on tight deadlines while collaborating with cross-functional teams in dynamic project environments.

What are some common challenges faced by contract firmware engineers and how can they be addressed?

Contract Firmware Engineers often encounter challenges such as rapidly adapting to new hardware platforms, understanding legacy codebases, and meeting tight project deadlines. To address these, it helps to review documentation thoroughly, leverage debugging and simulation tools, and communicate proactively with project stakeholders. Additionally, collaborating closely with hardware engineers and other team members can help resolve integration issues quickly. Staying organized and maintaining flexibility are key to successfully delivering firmware projects as a contractor.

Are contract firmware engineers in demand?

Contract firmware engineers are in high demand due to the growth of embedded systems, IoT devices, and hardware development. Companies seek professionals skilled in C, C++, and real-time operating systems to support product development and maintenance on flexible schedules. The demand is expected to remain strong as technology continues to advance.

How much does a contract firmware engineer get paid?

Contract firmware engineers typically earn between $50 and $100 per hour, depending on experience, location, and project complexity. Senior or specialized engineers with expertise in embedded systems and real-time operating systems may command higher rates. Compensation can also vary based on contract duration and industry sector.

What are the most commonly searched types of Firmware Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Firmware Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Firmware Engineer jobs in California?

For Contract Firmware Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Firmware Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Firmware Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Contract Firmware Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Contract Firmware Engineer job openings:

Contract Firmware Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Firmware Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $165,245 per year, or $79.4 per hour.

Staff Robotics Software Engineer

Fulfil Solutions

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Fulfil is a well-funded, rapidly growing, and inclusive company that has developed a custom automation robotics system to pick and pack online orders of groceries and other consumables, bringing delight and a value proposition to consumers that doesn't exist today. Additionally, its unique design and technology is purpose-built to solve today's environmental problems in the world's food supply chain. Founded by a team with previous startup success and backed by top-tier VCs, we are committed to reducing waste, improving environmental impact, and reducing emissions with truly new technology.
We can't do it alone -- we're seeking curious, capable, passionate team members motivated by the opportunity to create lasting impact on the world through their work. This role offers ample growth opportunities while working side-by-side with an impassioned, multi-disciplinary team spanning mechanical design, software, computer vision, systems integration, and ops to design and operationalize world-changing technology.
Fulfil is committed to creating an inclusive culture, and we celebrate diversity of all kinds. If this sounds like the kind of environment that you find intriguing, then please apply even if you don't feel you meet all the requirements listed below. We'd love to hear from you.
Why you'll love working at Fulfil
  • Autonomy and ownership; you design it, build it, and own it.
  • Amazing team
  • Build robots that do cool things
  • Rapid growth
  • Inclusive culture
  • Work-life balance
  • Collaborative culture
  • We hire great people and trust them
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership
  • Lead architecture and development of embedded firmware systems from concept through production.
  • Drive system design across multiple communication layers: from physical protocols (CAN, I2C) to high-level RPC interfaces.
  • Mentor and coach engineers on best practices, code quality, and architectural decisions.
Firmware & Control Development
  • Implement robust, portable firmware using C/C++ for ARM-based microcontrollers and SBCs (e.g., STM32, NXP, Raspberry Pi-class devices).
  • Develop and maintain protocol implementations for CAN bus, Modbus, I2C, UART, and SPI.
  • Design and maintain gRPC and Protocol Buffer interfaces to expose hardware services cleanly and safely to higher-level systems (e.g., orchestration, cloud, or local UIs).
  • Integrate Linux-based SBC firmware modules with hardware abstraction layers.
  • Implement motor control algorithms, including tuning, sequencing, encoder-based positioning, and jerk limiting.
  • Use real-world feedback (encoders, sensors, timing feedback) to optimize motion sequences and avoid unnecessary re-homing.
Testing & Quality Engineering
  • Design and maintain unit testing and HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) environments.
  • Debug systems at all layers - from firmware logic to sensor integration to timing drift.
  • Use oscilloscopes, multimeters, logic analyzers, and related tools to bring up and validate hardware interfaces.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
  • Work with systems, hardware, software, and operations teams to align on firmware behaviors and API contracts.
  • Own interface boundaries between hardware components, middleware, and application layers.
  • Participate in bring-up, debugging, and integration of custom hardware.
Documentation & Lifecycle Management
  • Ensure detailed documentation of firmware APIs, hardware mappings, and integration guides.
  • Promote best practices for version control, CI/CD for firmware, and structured release processes.
Required Qualifications
  • Located within commuting distance to Mountain View Ca
  • 8+ years of experience in embedded systems firmware development and architecture.
  • Deep understanding of embedded communication protocols: CAN bus, Modbus, I2C, SPI, UART.
  • Experience with motion control, motor tuning, encoder feedback, and trajectory optimization (e.g., jerk limiting).
  • Strong C and C++ skills; familiarity with embedded Linux, shell scripting, and build systems (Bazel, CMake, etc.).
  • Experience designing gRPC + Protobuf interfaces between firmware modules and external software.
  • Proven ability to lead unit testing strategy and build HIL testing environments.
  • Experience interfacing with electrical engineering teams and hardware bring-up.
  • Skilled with hardware debugging tools (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, multimeter, etc.).
  • Familiarity with Linux-based SBCs (e.g., NXP i.MX, Raspberry Pi, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with CanOpen protocol.
  • Familiarity with PLCs, ladder logic, or industrial automation frameworks.
  • Background in industrial automation, robotics, or distributed systems.
  • Experience with firmware bootloaders, OTA update strategies, and secure firmware deployment.
  • Understanding of network protocols (Ethernet, MQTT, TCP/IP) in embedded contexts.
  • Exposure to DevOps practices for firmware (artifact management, CI/CD pipelines).
  • A maker/tinkerer mindset - whether from robotics competitions, hobby projects, or hardware hacking.
Why Join Us?
  • A chance to be an early team member and leader of a rapidly growing startup and have an impact on company and technology direction.
  • The ability to solve challenging problems with a skilled, dedicated and friendly multi-disciplinary team.
  • A balanced, highly collaborative work environment.
  • Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with 401K, life and disability coverage.
  • A PTO policy where we encourage and expect all employees to take time to enjoy life outside of work.
  • The salary range for this position is 180,000-$215,000 plus stock and benefits. Pay within the range is based on candidate experience, job-specific skills, education, and work location.

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