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Contract Firmware Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wilcox Industries

Senior Firmware Engineer

Rochester, NH · On-site

$117K - $155K/yr

Senior Firmware Engineers work closely with Electrical Engineers, System Engineers, Quality ... S Department of Defense contracts and requirements. Physical Requirements: * Must be able to sit ...

Approach Venture

Senior Firmware Engineer

Oxnard, CA

$130K - $170K/yr

Interface with contract manufacturers and production teams to resolve hardware or firmware issues * Develop and maintain production test procedures, documentation, and equipment used during ...

Wilcox Industries

Senior Firmware Engineer

Rochester, NH · On-site

$117K - $155K/yr

Senior Firmware Engineers work closely with Electrical Engineers, System Engineers, Quality ... S Department of Defense contracts and requirements. Physical Requirements: * Must be able to sit ...

SARA Inc

Firmware Engineer - 1587

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$75K - $110K/yr

Debug firmware issues using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other lab tools * Collaborate with ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

SARA Inc

Firmware Engineer - 1587

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$75K - $110K/yr

Debug firmware issues using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other lab tools * Collaborate with ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Approach Venture LLC

Senior Firmware Engineer

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Interface with contract manufacturers and production teams to resolve hardware or firmware issues * Develop and maintain production test procedures, documentation, and equipment used during ...

MM International

Senior Firmware Engineer

Eagan, MN · On-site

$121K - $161K/yr

Senior Firmware Engineer Duration: 3-6 month contract Location: Eagan, MN- Fully onsite - 5 days onsite Ecolab IV slots that we must fill: 5/8 (1-3pm) & 5/9 (8-10) Top Requirements: 5+ years of hands ...

Daikin

Manager Engineering Firmware

Waller, TX

As a Firmware Manager, you will be responsible to lead the firmware team to ensure the successful ... Must manage the current team of 5 FTE embedded software developers and varying levels of contract ...

Daikin

Manager Engineering Firmware

Waller, TX · On-site

As a Firmware Manager, you will be responsible to lead the firmware team to ensure the successful ... Must manage the current team of 5 FTE embedded software developers and varying levels of contract ...

MARS Solutions Group

Firmware Engineer

Chelmsford, MA · On-site

They are known to respect a traditional work week and often extend contracts for added job security ... Troubleshoots code for firmware (IC embedded code) applications. Involves analog and digital ...

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All JobsContract Firmware Jobs

Contract Firmware information

See salary details

$75K

$167.4K

$205K

How much do contract firmware jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract firmware in the United States is $167,438.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $143,000.00 and $205,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Firmware Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Firmware Engineer, you need a solid background in embedded systems, programming languages like C/C++, and experience with microcontroller architectures, often supported by a degree in electrical engineering or computer science. Familiarity with tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, version control systems (e.g., Git), and sometimes certifications in embedded development are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, clear communication, and the ability to quickly adapt to new projects or client requirements make someone stand out in this position. These skills ensure efficient development, effective collaboration with hardware and software teams, and successful delivery of high-quality firmware solutions for diverse clients.

What are contract firmware engineers?

Contract firmware engineers are professionals who specialize in designing, developing, and testing embedded software (firmware) for devices, usually on a temporary or project-specific basis. They are hired by companies to work on particular projects, bringing expertise in programming microcontrollers, optimizing code for hardware, and ensuring reliable device performance. Unlike full-time employees, contract firmware engineers typically work for a set period or until the completion of a project, offering flexibility and specialized skills to organizations needing firmware development support.

What is the difference between Contract Firmware vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectContract FirmwareFirmware Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires relevant certifications or experience in embedded systemsRequires a degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentTemporary or project-based, often freelance or consulting rolesFull-time employment within a company or organization
Industry UsageCommon in industries needing short-term expertise, such as startups or R&DStandard role in manufacturing, tech, and embedded systems companies
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for project-based work or freelance opportunitiesCompared for long-term career paths or full-time positions

Contract Firmware roles focus on short-term, project-specific embedded system development, often requiring specialized skills and certifications. Firmware Engineers typically hold full-time positions, developing and maintaining firmware as part of ongoing product development. Both roles involve embedded systems but differ mainly in employment type and duration.

What are some common challenges faced by contract firmware engineers in managing multiple client projects?

Contract firmware engineers often juggle projects for different clients, which can present challenges such as adapting to varying hardware platforms, coding standards, and documentation practices. Effective time management and clear communication with each client are essential to ensure that project milestones are met and expectations are aligned. Additionally, contract engineers must quickly learn new tools or development environments and stay updated with industry best practices to deliver high-quality, reliable firmware solutions on tight deadlines.
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Contract Firmware jobs near you
Senior Firmware Engineer

Senior Firmware Engineer

Advanced Software Talent

Tucson, AZ

$115K - $152K/yr

Other

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Only local candidates!

No 3rd party agencies! Direct W2 contractors only! No Visa Sponsorship available!

Onsite contract

enior Firmware Engineer | Tucson Agile Release Team

We are looking for a Senior Firmware Engineer to join our team in Tucson. In this role, you will use your expertise in C/C++ to design and build robust embedded solutions that sit at the intersection of hardware and software. You ll be a critical part of a cross-functional team, taking features from low-level drivers to final system integration, ensuring our code is performant, memory-efficient, and rock-solid.

Key Responsibilities
- Embedded Design: Architect and implement firmware features using C/C++, ensuring designs are optimized for constrained environments (CPU, memory, and power).
- Hardware-Software Integration: Develop low-level drivers and middleware to interface with sensors, actuators, and communication peripherals.
- Automated Hardware Validation: Build and maintain automated testing frameworks primarily using Python for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing and system validation.
- Agile Execution: During PI and iteration planning, break down complex hardware-software features into manageable tasks, accounting for hardware dependencies and lead times.
- Technical Governance: Lead deep-dive code reviews and technical spikes to ensure firmware aligns with safety standards and system-level architecture.

Agile Planning & Collaboration
- Synchronized Development: Participate in technical discussions during Program Increment (PI) planning, specifically addressing hardware/firmware dependencies.
- Backlog Refinement: Organize and prioritize the team backlog, managing technical debt and balancing feature velocity with system stability.
- Cross-Functional Bridge: Work closely with Electrical and Mechanical Engineering teams to translate hardware requirements into technical firmware reality.
- System Demos: Demonstrate firmware progress on target hardware to stakeholders, explaining technical logic and timing constraints clearly.


Skills required:


- C/C++ Mastery: Extensive professional experience in embedded C/C++ development for microcontrollers (ARM Cortex-M, ESP32, etc.) or RTOS-based systems.
- System Architecture: Ability to design maintainable, scalable firmware architectures including interrupt handling, memory management, and state machines.
- Low-Level Protocols: Hands-on experience with communication interfaces like I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, or USB.
- Debugging: Proficiency using JTAG/SWD debuggers, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes to troubleshoot hardware-software interactions.

Preferred Experience
- Python for Tools: Experience using Python for scripting, data analysis, or building test harnesses.
- RTOS & Bare Metal: Familiarity with FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or similar real-time operating systems.
- Agile Proficiency: Experience working within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) or similar iterative environments for hardware development.
- Mentorship: A track record of leading firmware projects or guiding junior engineers through complex system integrations.

Soft Skills
- Technical Articulation: The ability to explain complex timing issues or register-level bugs to non-technical stakeholders.
- Relentless Troubleshooting: A methodical, "detective-like" approach to solving intermittent hardware/software issues.
- Reliability Mindset: A commitment to writing code where "it works on my machine" isn't enough it has to work on the silicon every single time.

Apply