Entry Level Firmware Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

IBM Hardware and Systems engineers design and deliver the compute platforms that power the world’s most advanced AI, cloud, and enterprise technologies. From silicon to system, our teams collaborate across mechanical, electrical, computer, materials, and firmware engineering to design, prototype, and test next-generation IBM hardware. These roles offer hands‑on opportunities to innovate across IBM’s high‑performance systems portfolio — shaping the technologies that define what’s next.

Your role and responsibilities

As part of IBM’s hardware development organization, you will design, prototype, and validate next‑generation compute systems by integrating expertise across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and materials engineering.

• Developing and optimizing mechanical, thermal, and electrical components using CAD and EDA tools.
• Building and testing hardware prototypes, performing debug, failure analysis, and driving reliability and serviceability improvements.
• Modeling system‑level thermal and mechanical performance to enhance cooling, manufacturability, and efficiency.
• Creating and using automation, firmware, and data analysis tools for hardware validation and test.
• Applying design‑of‑experiments (DOE) methods to evaluate and improve processes, materials, and hardware designs.
• Supporting process and materials development, manufacturing readiness, and equipment IT integration within R&D environments.

You will have opportunities to work in areas such as:

• Physical and logic design
• Thermal and mechanical modeling
• Firmware and embedded systems
• Optics, photonics, and high‑speed interconnects
• Advanced materials, composites, and process development

Required education

High School Diploma/GED

Preferred education

Bachelor's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• B.S. or advanced degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Materials, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with design of experiments (DOE) and/or project management.
• Experience or strong interest in process development, materials development, or equipment IT support.
• Hands‑on experience with hardware design, CAD tools (SolidWorks, Allegro, Cadence), or modeling/simulation environments.
• Proficiency in one or more programming or scripting languages (Python, C/C++, Bash).
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with a focus on collaboration and data‑driven problem solving.
• Willingness to work at either the Hopewell or Poughkeepsie location.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Lab‑based development or validation work skills.
• Advanced technical degrees (M.S. or Ph.D.) in relevant disciplines.
• Experience leading project teams or cross‑functional technical initiatives.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks and/or finite element modeling (FEM) tools.
• Experience with firmware architecture, testing, and automation.
• Background in thermal modeling (6Sigma, FEM), signal processing, or hardware reliability.
• Familiarity with optical systems, including fiber optics, photonics, and transceiver design.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Systems helps IT leaders think differently about their infrastructure. IBM servers and storage are no longer inanimate – they can understand, reason, and learn so our clients can innovate while avoiding IT issues. Our systems power the world’s most important industries and our clients are the architects of the future.Join us to help build our leading-edge technology portfoliodesigned for cognitive business and optimized for cloud computing.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on‑going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can‑do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being

- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long‑term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs

- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law

- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry‑recognized certifications to achieve their career goals

- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full‑time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job‑related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro‑rated for those who start working during the calendar year.

Job Title

Entry Level Hardware Developer 2027 -New York

Date posted

01-Sep-2026

Job ID

131201

City / Township / Village

POUGHKEEPSIE, HOPEWELL JUNCTION

State / Province

New York

Country

United States

Work arrangement

Hybrid

Area of work

Infrastructure & Technology

Employment type

Regular

Contract type

Regular

Projected Minimum Salary per year

78,400.00

Projected Maximum Salary per year

147,000.00

Position type

Entry Level

No Travel

Company

(0147) International Business Machines Corporation

Shift

General (daytime)

Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?