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Contract Firmware Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

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

... contract with the military services, NASA, and the Department of Energy. About the Role Antares is ... This firmware sits at the interface between custom electronics and reactor control infrastructure ...

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 ...

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 ...

Firmware Engineer I-II

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

... contract with the military services, NASA, and the Department of Energy. About the Role Antares is ... This firmware sits at the interface between custom electronics and reactor control infrastructure ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Atlanta, GA Duration: 6+ Month Contract • 2-4 years' of professional experience in the development of firmware/software for embedded systems • Programming in low level and high-level languages of ...

Atlanta, GA Duration: 6+ Month Contract 2-4 years' of professional experience in the development of firmware/software for embedded systems Programming in low level and high-level languages of 8, 16 ...

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 ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Firmware information

See salary details

$75K

$167.4K

$205K

How much do contract firmware jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 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 is a contract firmware engineer?

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

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 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.

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 cities are hiring for Contract Firmware jobs?

Cities with the most Contract Firmware job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Firmware jobs?

The most popular types of Firmware jobs are:

What states have the most Contract Firmware jobs?

States with the most job openings for Contract Firmware jobs include:

Infographic showing various Contract Firmware job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,438 per year, or $80.5 per hour.

Senior Firmware Engineer

Wilcox Industries

Rochester, NH • On-site

$117K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Wilcox develops innovative, world class electro-mechanical combat systems for today's warfighters and law enforcement officers. Senior Firmware Engineers are a core component of the development team serving as the technical authority for firmware development and while working to deliver best in class products. Senior Firmware Engineers work closely with Electrical Engineers, System Engineers, Quality Engineers, Program Managers, external partners, and the customers to ensure Wilcox stays on the leading edge of technology and innovation while ensuring the team is delivering a product that our customer can trust his/her life with.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Advanced Firmware Development & Architecture:
  • Leads end-to-end design and implementation of large-scale or highly complex firmware projects (e.g., multi-processor systems, advanced RTOS, or bare-metal architectures).
  • Establishes standards for firmware modularity, reuse, and maintainability.
  • Champions best practices for debugging, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and overall embedded development life cycle.
  • Guides cross-team technical strategies (e.g., firmware build pipelines, release management).
  • Aligns firmware tasks with product requirements, collaborating with Hardware, Software, QA, Systems Engineering, and Program Management teams.
  • Interact with external vendors or third-party engineering teams to evaluate components, SDKs, or toolchains.
  • Influences firmware release processes and helps evaluate tools/technologies for continuous improvement.
Documentation & Communication:
  • Aligns firmware tasks with product requirements, collaborating with Hardware, Software, QA, Systems Engineering, and Program Management teams.
  • Coaches engineers across the organization; shapes career development plans for junior and mid-level firmware engineers.
  • Leads design reviews, fosters knowledge-sharing sessions, and institutes continuous improvement initiatives.
Qualifications & Experience
Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering/Computer Science required.
  • Master's Degree preferred.
  • 7+ years of experience in a firmware engineering role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skills/Abilities:
  • Regular on-site attendance is a necessary function of this position.
  • Expert with Object-Oriented modular coding styles including data structures.
  • Proficient with bootloaders and pre-application code execution.
  • Understanding of USB Protocol.
  • Working knowledge of RTOS/Linux embedded designs.
  • Proficient implementing of SPI, I2C, UART, Synchronous/Asynchronous memory interfaces, RTC, PWM, GPIO.
  • Familiarity with secure boot.
  • Familiarity with OTP.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Microsoft 365, Teams).
  • Proficiency in using code management and defect tracking tools (e.g., JIRA, SVN, GIT,).
  • Experience with ARM processor designs and development.
  • Wilcox is a U.S government defense contractor, and this position requires access to export-controlled technology. Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access U.S. government-controlled technology prior to beginning work.
Preferred Skills/Abilities:
  • Experience with audio/video data stream processing.
  • Proficient with USB PD Protocol.
  • Proficient with secure boot.
  • Proficient with OTP.
  • Familiarity with U.S Department of Defense contracts and requirements.
Physical Requirements:
  • Must be able to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear; use hands and fingers to handle and touch objects, tools, or controls to work in a production environment. Vision abilities required including close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus to work. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift 25 pounds at times.
  • Ability to perform physical tests and handle tools/equipment used for prototyping.
Wilcox provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state or local laws.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
Wilcox provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state or local laws.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.