1

Firmware Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Engineer, Software (FW)

Waukegan, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Has knowledge of and experience with microprocessor firmware or Linux kernel and device-driver ... or firmware programming software development according to industry best practices. Strong ...

Sr. Engineer, Software (FW)

Waukegan, IL

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... 3rd party developers, etc.) or other microprocessor targets using industry best practices and ... Customization, deployment, and maintenance of Linux BSP distributions or microprocessor firmware on ...

Sr. Engineer, Software (FW)

Waukegan, IL

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Has knowledge of and experience with microprocessor firmware or Linux kernel and device-driver ... or firmware programming software development according to industry best practices. Strong ...

Senior Embedded Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$127K - $167K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

The environment is highly technical and focused on Embedded Linux development, firmware engineering, platform security, and IoT connectivity. This is an opportunity to own critical components of an ...

Sr. Engineer, Software (FW)

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$117K - $154K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... 3rd party developers, etc.) or other microprocessor targets using industry best practices and ... Customization, deployment, and maintenance of Linux BSP distributions or microprocessor firmware on ...

Software Engineer II (Applications)

Waukegan, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Formulate, design, develop, document, test, and maintain primarily acceptance test, functional test, and/or firmware programming software, using industry best practices and standard design frameworks ...

Software Engineer II (Applications)

Waukegan, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Formulate, design, develop, document, test, and maintain primarily acceptance test, functional test, and/or firmware programming software, using industry best practices and standard design frameworks ...

Software Engineer II (Applications)

Waukegan, IL

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Formulate, design, develop, document, test, and maintain primarily acceptance test, functional test, and/or firmware programming software, using industry best practices and standard design frameworks ...

Embedded Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

The engineer will work at the bottom of the UAV stack from bootloaders and RTOS internals up to ... Build, flash, and debug firmware and bootloaders using SWD/JTAG probes (J-Link, ST-Link), and ...

Embedded Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $178K/yr

(Hybrid) Description Are you passionate about embedded systems, from initial ideas to hardware design to the final firmware? As an Embedded Engineer at DMC, you will use your embedded expertise and ...

Embedded Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$135K - $178K/yr

(Hybrid) Description Are you passionate about embedded systems, from initial ideas to hardware design to the final firmware? As an Embedded Engineer at DMC, you will use your embedded expertise and ...

Showing results 21-40

Firmware Developer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$79.9K

$115.7K

$185.1K

How much do firmware developer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for firmware developer in Chicago, IL is $115,707.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,300.00 and $124,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a firmware developer?

Firmware Developers are engineers who design, develop, and maintain low-level software that directly controls hardware devices. Their work typically involves writing code in languages like C or C++ to ensure hardware components operate as intended, often within embedded systems such as microcontrollers and consumer electronics. Firmware developers collaborate closely with hardware engineers and may also troubleshoot or update firmware to enhance device performance. Their role is crucial in industries like automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial automation.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a firmware developer?

To thrive as a Firmware Developer, you need a solid background in embedded systems, proficiency in C/C++ programming, and a degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. Experience with microcontroller architectures, debugging tools (like JTAG or ICE), and version control systems such as Git is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate across hardware and software teams. These skills are crucial for developing reliable, efficient firmware that enables hardware devices to function correctly and meet user requirements.

What are common challenges firmware developers face when working on embedded systems projects?

Firmware Developers often encounter challenges such as optimizing code for limited memory and processing power, integrating with diverse hardware platforms, and ensuring reliable communication between software and hardware components. Debugging can be especially tricky due to limited visibility into low-level operations, requiring specialized tools like JTAG debuggers or oscilloscopes. Collaboration with hardware engineers and cross-functional teams is essential to address hardware-software integration issues and to ensure timely delivery of stable, efficient firmware.

What is the difference between Firmware Developer vs Embedded Software Engineer?

AspectFirmware DeveloperEmbedded Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; certifications like Certified Embedded Systems EngineerBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; similar certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning and developing low-level code for hardware devices, often working in hardware labs or development teamsDeveloping software for embedded systems, often in cross-functional teams, with focus on hardware-software integration
Industry UsageUsed in consumer electronics, automotive, IoT devices, and industrial equipmentCommon in automotive, medical devices, consumer electronics, and industrial automation

Firmware Developers and Embedded Software Engineers share similar skills and work environments, focusing on hardware-related software development. The main difference lies in their scope: Firmware Developers typically work on low-level code directly interacting with hardware, while Embedded Software Engineers may handle higher-level embedded applications. Both roles are essential in industries like automotive, IoT, and consumer electronics.

What are popular job titles related to Firmware Developer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Firmware Developer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Firmware Developer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Firmware Developer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Firmware Developer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,707 per year, or $55.6 per hour.

Engineer II - Software Engineering

Federal Signal

University Park, IL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago


Federal Signal rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

250th of 490 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing the low-level software (firmware) that controls the functionality of electronic hardware devices, like embedded systems and computer peripherals, requiring a deep understanding of hardware architecture and proficiency in programming languages like C/C++ to create code that interacts directly with the hardware components, often utilizing real-time operating systems (RTOS) to ensure timely system responses; they collaborate with hardware engineers to ensure seamless integration and troubleshoot issues throughout the product development cycle. 

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Develop firmware architectures and algorithms to meet product requirements, considering hardware constraints and performance optimization.
  • Write clean, efficient, and well-documented firmware code using embedded C/C++ programming languages, adhering to coding standards and best practices.
  • Implement video technologies using protocols including FFmpeg, GStreamer, H.264/H.265, RTSP, and WebRTC.
  • Understand and determine best fit strategies for incorporation of OpenCV, PyTorch, TensorFlow, YOLO, and/or TensorRT algorithms.
  • Understand and utilize various hardware components like microcontrollers, memory, peripherals, and communication interfaces to interact with them through firmware.
  • Work with RTOS to manage system tasks with precise timing and priority levels.
  • Conduct thorough unit integration, and system-level testing to identify and resolve firmware defects, utilizing debugging tools and techniques.
  • Work closely with hardware engineers to ensure smooth integration between firmware and hardware components, addressing design challenges and providing feedback.
  • Create detailed technical documentation for firmware design, implementation, and testing procedures.
  • Support existing firmware by implementing bug fixes, feature enhancements, and updates to address customer needs.
  • May include travel to the field and/or trade shows.
  • Perform product evaluations to determine if engineering standards are met.
  • Flexibility to perform other duties and assignments as required

Position Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent from an accredited university.
  • 5-7 years of previous experience in a similar role.
  • Demonstrated use of Python, Roboflow, NodeJS, Figma or similar tools for rapid prototyping.
  • Familiarity with creating and modifying YAML for configurations and collaboration.
  • Strong proficiency in C/C++ programming languages with a focus on embedded systems.
  • Experience with developing containerized analytics modules using Docker.
  • Fluency in switching between Windows, Linux, and embedded environments and toolkits.
  • Deep knowledge of microcontroller architectures, memory management, peripherals, and communication protocols.
  • Experience with popular RTOS like FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or similar.
  • Familiarity with IDEs, debuggers, emulators, and other development tools for embedded systems.
  • Experience with unit testing, integration testing, and system-level validation methodologies.
  • Excellent analytical and debugging skills to identify and troubleshoot complex firmware issues.
  • Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Wage Range: $68,731 - $98,187 Plus Bonus

Benefits of Employment

In addition to excellent career growth opportunities, Federal Signal Corporation offers a wide array of benefits including: annual bonus potential, insurance (life, medical, dental, vision), paid holidays, paid vacation, 401(k) with matching contributions and tuition reimbursement. We provide our employees with a smoke-free, drug-free workplace.

About Us

Federal Signal in University Park is a leading manufacturer and supplier of comprehensive systems and products used to protect people and property. Our products and integrated solutions include systems for campus and community alerting, emergency vehicles, first responder interoperable communications, industrial communications, and command and municipal networked security. Specific products include: lightbars and sirens, public warning sirens and public safety software.

Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS) builds and delivers equipment of unmatched quality that moves material, cleans infrastructure, and protects the communities where we work and live. Founded in 1901, Federal Signal is a leading global designer and manufacturer of products and total solutions that serve municipal, governmental, industrial and commercial customers. Headquartered in Downers Grove, IL, with manufacturing facilities worldwide, the Company operates two groups: Environmental Solutions and Safety and Security Systems. For more information on Federal Signal, visit: www.federalsignal.com

The Company is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of, and will receive consideration for employment without regard to, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category, characteristic, or trait under applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at HR@federalsignal.com. All other applications must be submitted online.


What Federal Signal employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom