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Firmware Contractor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wilcox Industries

Senior Firmware Engineer

Newington, NH · On-site

$123K - $163K/yr

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 ...

SARA Inc

Firmware Engineer - 1639

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$75K - $110K/yr

... contractors in Colorado Springs, CO. The candidate will have the opportunity to grow and learn with talented engineers, physicists, and technicians on long-standing programs and new programs ...

Scientific Applications & Research Associates, Inc.

$75 - $110/hr

... contractors in Colorado Springs, CO. The candidate will have the opportunity to grow and learn with talented engineers, physicists, and technicians on long-standing programs and new programs ...

Sara-Inc

Firmware Engineer - 1639

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$75 - $110/hr

... contractors in Colorado Springs, CO. The candidate will have the opportunity to grow and learn with talented engineers, physicists, and technicians on long-standing programs and new programs ...

A2e Technologies

Sr. Firmware Engineer US ONLY

Reston, VA · On-site

$124K - $164K/yr

Lead and contribute to firmware architecture and implementation for space-based systems ... contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to ...

Carbon, Inc.

Senior Staff Firmware Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$182K - $314K/yr

We are looking for a Firmware Engineer to lead our technical team and architect our firmware ... Contractors and Job Applicants, which explains the categories of personal information we collect ...

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Firmware Contractor information

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$75K

$167.4K

$205K

How much do firmware contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for firmware contractor 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 firmware contractor?

Firmware contractors are professionals who specialize in developing, testing, and maintaining firmware, which is the low-level software programmed into hardware devices. Unlike full-time employees, contractors are typically hired on a temporary or project basis to address specific needs, such as creating new firmware for a product or updating existing code. Their work involves close collaboration with hardware and software teams to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance of electronic devices. Firmware contractors often have expertise in languages like C or C++, and work across industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, and IoT.

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

To thrive as a Firmware Contractor, you need expertise in embedded systems programming, proficiency in languages like C/C++, and a background in electrical or computer engineering. Familiarity with hardware debugging tools, version control systems (such as Git), and real-time operating systems (RTOS) is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies ensure reliable, efficient firmware development and seamless collaboration with hardware and software teams.

What are some common challenges faced by firmware contractors when integrating their work with hardware teams?

Firmware contractors often encounter challenges related to hardware-software integration, such as incomplete hardware documentation, evolving hardware designs, or unexpected hardware bugs. Effective communication with hardware engineers is crucial to address these issues quickly and to ensure that firmware is optimized for real-world device constraints. Contractors may also need to adapt to different development environments and toolchains depending on the client's setup. Regular sync meetings and thorough testing on actual hardware are essential practices to ensure smooth collaboration and successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Firmware Contractor vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectFirmware ContractorFirmware Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires relevant certifications, experience, and sometimes freelance or contractual licensingUsually holds a degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or related fields; full-time employment often with company-specific training
Work EnvironmentContract-based, often remote or on-site project-specific rolesFull-time or permanent positions within companies or R&D teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies hiring temporary or project-specific firmware development supportEmployed by organizations to develop, test, and maintain firmware regularly

Firmware Contractors typically work on a temporary basis, focusing on specific projects, while Firmware Engineers are full-time employees involved in ongoing firmware development and maintenance within organizations.

More about Firmware Contractor jobs

What job categories do people searching Firmware Contractor jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Firmware Contractor jobs are:

Firmware Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Firmware Contractor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $167,438 per year, or $80.5 per hour.

Sr. Embedded Firmware Engineer Contractor

Cohu, Inc.

San Diego, CA • On-site

$103 - $117/hr

Other

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer Contractor

Thermal Control System Development

Company: Cohu, Inc.

Location: San Diego, CA
Duration: 3 Month Contract (potential extension)
Work Arrangement:This is a full-time contractor position on-site role (minimum of 32 hours per week) at Cohu’s semiconductor test handler & thermal systems innovation center located in San Diego, CA (Rancho Bernardo).

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Embedded Firmware Engineer Contractor to develop firmware for a high-performance multichannel thermal control system based on an STM32H7 microcontroller. The controller performs fast simultaneous temperature acquisition, executes multiple independent PID control loops, and communicates system data through a 100 Mbps Ethernet interface.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer who is equally comfortable developing embedded firmware and troubleshooting hardware in the laboratory.

Responsibilities

  • Develop bare-metal firmware for an STM32H7-based thermal control platform.
  • Implement simultaneous temperature acquisition from I2C and RTDs
  • Develop, implement, and tune multiple independent PID-based control loops.
  • Support hardware bring-up, integration, and validation activities.
  • Debug peripherals and interfaces like ADCs, I2C, PWM, Ethernet, and GPIOs.
  • Work closely with hardware engineers to diagnose and resolve board-level and system-level issues.
  • Participate in system testing, performance characterization, and firmware optimization.

Required Qualifications

  • BS degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering or closely related field and 7+ years of embedded firmware development experience OR MS degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or closely related field and 4+ years of embedded firmware development experience.
  • Experience developing and tuning temperature control systems, power control systems, or other real-time feedback control applications.
  • Strong C programming skills.
  • Extensive experience with development on STM32H7 devices.
  • Experience implementing PID or other closed-loop control algorithms.
  • Experience with hardware bring-up, prototype validation, and schematic review.
  • Proficiency using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters to troubleshoot firmware and hardware integration issues.

Expected Deliverables

During the contract period, the contractor is expected to deliver:

  • Successful bring-up and validation of the STM32H7-based hardware platform.
  • A reliable, production-ready thermal control firmware architecture supporting multiple independent control channels and meeting measurement accuracy specifications.
  • Ethernet communication infrastructure supporting at least 50 Mbps data throughput.
  • Well-structured, maintainable, and thoroughly commented source code suitable for long-term product support and future development.
  • Firmware designed for robustness, reliability, fault detection, and recovery in a production environment.
  • Technical documentation sufficient to support future maintenance, testing, and product release activities.

Compensation: The estimated base pay range for this position is $75 -$85 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, education, and other job-related factors. This range represents Cohu’s good faith estimate of what it reasonably expects to pay for this contractor position.

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About Cohu

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Software development

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Poway, CA, US

Year founded

1947

Social media

Twitter

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