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Firmware Contractor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Engineer, Firmware

Lafayette, IN · On-site

$115K - $152K/yr

All staff, contractors and visitors have a responsibility to adhere to these communicated standards ... Senior Engineer, Firmware Requisition ID: 21222 Location:

Senior Engineer, Firmware

Lafayette, IN · On-site

$115K - $152K/yr

Troubleshoots code for firmware (IC embedded code) applications. Work often involves analog and ... All staff, contractors and visitors have a responsibility to adhere to these communicated standards.

$95 - $130/hr

Embedded Firmware Engineer - ARM & Windows Device Development Location: Onsite / Redmond, WA ... Contracting as well and the rate is $72/hr CTC. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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 ...

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 ...

$110 - $160/hr

Filling the technical position of Field-programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Firmware Engineer on the ... Information SRC IS A CONTRACTOR FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THIS POSITION WILL REQUIRE U.S.

Filling the technical position of Field-programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Firmware Engineer on the ... Information SRC IS A CONTRACTOR FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THIS POSITION WILL REQUIRE U.S.

Showing results 21-40

Firmware Contractor information

See salary details

$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:

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.

Embedded Firmware Test Engineer

ALTEN Technology USA

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

We're ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life-from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.
As part of the global ALTEN Group-57,000+ engineers in 30 countries-we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.
When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you'll collaborate on some of the world's toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
Workplace: On-site, 5 days per week
Location: Mountain View, CA
We are seeking an Embedded Firmware Test Engineer to join our growing engineering team developing next-generation power electronics and energy storage products. You'll become part of a collaborative team of experienced and junior engineers supporting multiple active development programs. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys working at the intersection of embedded firmware, hardware validation, and data analytics. You'll leverage established test plans and procedures to validate embedded systems, automate testing using Python, and analyze test results to ensure products meet performance, reliability, and regulatory requirements.
Responsibilities
• Execute firmware and hardware validation testing for embedded power electronics and inverter systems using established test plans and procedures.
• Perform board-level validation of embedded systems and microcontroller-based hardware.
• Validate products against industry standards and certification requirements, including ISO 17025 laboratory processes.
• Conduct hands-on testing in a fully equipped onsite laboratory environment.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret large volumes of test data to identify trends, anomalies, and product performance issues.
• Develop clear, detailed validation reports and maintain comprehensive engineering documentation.
• Develop and maintain Python scripts to automate test execution, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Debug firmware and hardware issues using Python and standard laboratory instrumentation.
• Support component-level testing, including electrical fault and short-circuit evaluations.
• Collaborate with firmware, hardware, and systems engineering teams to investigate failures and drive root cause analysis.
• Continuously improve automated test frameworks, validation processes, and laboratory efficiency.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, or a related engineering discipline.
• 4+ years of experience testing embedded firmware systems and microcontroller-based products.
• Strong understanding of embedded firmware validation and board-level testing.
• Experience with microcontroller architectures and embedded logic.
• Experience testing power electronics, inverters, or related electrical systems.
• Strong Python programming skills for scripting, debugging, and test automation.
• Experience with data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of validation results.
• Experience documenting validation activities, test results, and engineering reports.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and documentation practices.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.
• Experience with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), renewable energy products, EV charging systems, or inverter technologies.
• Familiarity with laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers, DAQ systems, programmable power supplies, and electronic loads.
• Experience validating embedded firmware running on ARM, STM32, TI, NXP, Microchip, or similar microcontroller platforms.
• Experience with communication protocols such as UART, SPI, I²C, CAN, or Modbus.
• Experience building automated test frameworks for embedded hardware and firmware validation.
Salary Range
• $110,000-130,000
• The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate's combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.
Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process.
Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.