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Firmware Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Milwaukee Tool

Firmware Engineer II

Brookfield, WI · On-site

Experience developing bare-metal firmware designs for real-time applications. We provide these great perks and benefits: * Robust health, dental and vision insurance plans. * Generous 401 (K) savings ...

Sparrow Company LLC

Firmware Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

In this role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing embedded firmware for advanced spray, dispensing, coating, and finishing solutions. The ideal candidate utilizes ...

Sparrow Company

Firmware Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

In this role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing embedded firmware for advanced spray, dispensing, coating, and finishing solutions. The ideal candidate utilizes ...

Sparrow Company

Firmware Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

In this role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing embedded firmware for advanced spray, dispensing, coating, and finishing solutions. The ideal candidate utilizes ...

Avive

Senior Firmware Engineer - Medical

Brisbane, CA

$143K - $190K/yr

This role's focus will on designing embedded systems with associated digital and analog peripherals ... Ownership of firmware architecture, design, code, unit test automation and debugging in various ...

Avive

Senior Firmware Engineer - Medical

Brisbane, CA · On-site

$143K - $190K/yr

This role's focus will on designing embedded systems with associated digital and analog peripherals ... Ownership of firmware architecture, design, code, unit test automation and debugging in various ...

Avive

Senior Firmware Engineer - Medical

Brisbane, CA

$143K - $190K/yr

This role's focus will on designing embedded systems with associated digital and analog peripherals ... Ownership of firmware architecture, design, code, unit test automation and debugging in various ...

Milwaukee Tool

Firmware Engineer II

Brookfield, WI · On-site

Experience developing bare-metal firmware designs for real-time applications. We provide these great perks and benefits: * Robust health, dental and vision insurance plans. * Generous 401 (K) savings ...

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc

Firmware Architect

Austin, TX · On-site

$147K/yr

You will collaborate closely with silicon architects, hardware designers, platform engineers, and customer engineering teams to build robust, scalable, and secure firmware solutions optimized for AMD ...

Coherent Corp.

Senior Firmware Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$141K - $187K/yr

Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of firmware designs and testing procedures. Education & Experience * MS in Electrical Engineering or related technical fields. * 5 years of related ...

Actalent

Firmware Engineer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

Firmware Engineer This role focuses on designing, developing, documenting, and testing firmware for embedded systems that support advanced smart grid solutions. The firmware engineer contributes to ...

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Firmware Designer information

See salary details

$75K

$167.4K

$205K

How much do firmware designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for firmware designer 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 Firmware Designers?

Firmware Designers are professionals who develop and implement the low-level software that controls electronic devices and hardware systems. They write code, often in languages like C or C++, that operates directly with hardware components such as microcontrollers, sensors, and communication modules. Their work ensures that devices function reliably and efficiently, bridging the gap between hardware and higher-level software. Firmware Designers often collaborate with hardware engineers and software developers to create integrated, optimized products.

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

To thrive as a Firmware Designer, you need a solid understanding of embedded systems, proficiency in C/C++ programming, and typically a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with microcontroller architectures, debugging tools, version control systems, and occasionally certifications in embedded software development are highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with hardware and software teams. These abilities ensure reliable, efficient firmware development and successful integration with hardware products.

What are some common challenges Firmware Designers face when integrating hardware and software components?

Firmware Designers often encounter challenges when ensuring seamless communication between hardware and software. These challenges include dealing with hardware constraints such as limited memory or processing power, debugging issues that may arise from timing mismatches, and adapting to evolving hardware specifications. Close collaboration with hardware engineers and thorough testing are essential to identify and resolve integration issues early in the development process. Staying updated with the latest tools and industry standards also helps in overcoming these challenges efficiently.

What is the difference between Firmware Designer vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectFirmware DesignerFirmware Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; certifications are optionalSimilar educational background; certifications like Certified Firmware Engineer are uncommon but beneficial
Work EnvironmentDesign-focused, often in R&D or product development teamsDevelopment and testing, often in engineering teams working on product deployment
Industry UsageUsed across electronics, consumer devices, automotive, and IoT sectorsCommonly found in embedded systems, consumer electronics, and automotive industries
Search & Comparison IntentFocuses on designing firmware architecture and initial developmentEmphasizes implementation, testing, and maintaining firmware code

Firmware Designers primarily focus on creating and designing firmware architecture, while Firmware Engineers are more involved in coding, testing, and maintaining firmware. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are integral to embedded systems development, but their day-to-day tasks and focus areas differ slightly.

More about Firmware Designer jobs
What job categories do people searching Firmware Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Firmware Designer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Firmware Designer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,438 per year, or $80.5 per hour.
Staff Embedded Firmware Engineer

Staff Embedded Firmware Engineer

PlayStation Global

San Mateo, CA • On-site

$117K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?
Sony Interactive Entertainment isn't just the Best Place to Play - it's also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we're part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.
Staff Embedded Firmware Engineer
We are building a small team of versatile and enthusiastic leaders to create new products for the PlayStation community. Our team recently delivered the new PlayStation Link, PULSE Explore and PULSE Elite products, recently announced the FlexStrike and PULSE Elevate products, and are hard at work on what comes next. We need an experienced and innovative firmware engineer to help build and support our new products and features.
Come and play with us!
Responsibilities:
In this role, you will lead firmware development for high profile product development efforts. You will be responsible for technical leadership, system architecture, and execution across the firmware domain, working closely with internal teams and external partners.
  • Own firmware architecture and design for embedded devices from concept through production
  • Drive end-to-end firmware execution including development, integration, validation, and release
  • Lead and mentor firmware engineers (internal and external partners) while remaining hands-on
  • Develop and define communication protocols to enable peripheral functionality
  • Design, implement, and scale low-latency RF/wireless communication protocols for embedded systems
  • Architect structured, modular, and reusable firmware frameworks that scale across multiple platforms and product lines
  • Ensure firmware designs support cross-platform reuse and long-term scalability
  • Collaborate with hardware, software, and UX teams to define and deliver product requirements
  • Establish and drive modern firmware development practices (code reviews, CI/CD, testing frameworks)
  • Develop and manage hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and automated test systems
  • Troubleshoot complex system-level issues across hardware, firmware, and RF domains
  • Support manufacturing builds and coordinate firmware activities during product bring-up
  • Support and enhance products post-launch
  • Prototype new features on new hardware platforms
Skills:
  • Strong embedded firmware development experience in C/C++
  • Strong experience with RF/wireless systems (e.g., Bluetooth, low-latency audio, or similar technologies)
  • Deep understanding of low-latency embedded systems and communication protocol design
  • Proven ability to design scalable, reusable, and cross-platform firmware architectures
  • Experience with ARM microcontrollers and low-power system design
  • Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up and debugging (including RF/system-level issues)
  • Experience implementing hardware-in-the-loop and automated testing
  • Strong system-level thinking across hardware and software boundaries
  • Ability to operate at both high-level system design and low-level implementation
  • Proven ability to lead firmware efforts across teams and partners
  • Experience with consumer electronics product development from concept through mass production
  • Strong problem-solving and debugging skills
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 10 + years of experience in embedded firmware development
  • Demonstrated experience leading firmware development for shipped products
  • Strong experience in RF/wireless or low-latency embedded systems
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Passion for gaming, digital entertainment, and consumer electronics is a plus

Nice to Have
  • Experience with wireless audio or ultra-low latency systems
  • Experience working with external development partners or ODMs
  • Experience with kernel or driver development (Linux, Windows, or similar)
  • Experience scaling engineering processes and mentoring teams
Working Conditions:
  • Small team environment; feels like a start-up within a large organization!
  • Travel (domestic and international) required. Estimated 15%

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Click here to learn more.
The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.
$209,900-$314,900 USD
Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.
Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.

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