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Firmware Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

TalentRemedy

Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA

We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our Research and Development Division in Herndon VA. As part of our R&D division, you would join ...

NSS

Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$95 - $125/hr

We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our Research and Development Team in Herndon, VA. As part of our R&D division, you will work on ...

New

Molg

Firmware Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

As a Firmware Engineer, you will: * Design, develop, and maintain firmware for embedded systems across Molg's robotic platforms -- including motor controllers, sensor interfaces, actuators, and ...

Kastle Systems

Firmware Engineer

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer responsible for architecture, design, development & testing of CheckVideo's flagship product assets. Additional duties include writing high ...

Kastle Systems

Firmware Engineer

Falls Church, VA · Hybrid

$140K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer responsible for architecture, design, development & testing of CheckVideo's flagship product assets. Additional duties include writing high ...

Relative Dynamics

Firmware Engineer

Laurel, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Firmware Engineer, you are part of a cross-functional team developing optical terminal hardware. This position requires a background in digital signal processing (DSP) and communication theory.

Relative Dynamics

Firmware Engineer

Laurel, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Firmware Engineer, you are part of a cross-functional team developing optical terminal hardware. This position requires a background in digital signal processing (DSP) and communication theory.

Fibertek, Inc

Senior Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$140K - $210K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Title Senior Firmware Engineer Location Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary) Fibertek, Inc. is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key ...

Fibertek

Senior Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA

$140K - $210K/yr

We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our Research and Development Division in Herndon VA. As part of our R&D division, you would join ...

Intezra, Inc.

Firmware Developer / Reverse Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$125K - $225K/yr

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Engineer Columbia, MD | Full Time | TS/SCI with Full-Scope Polygraph Required Position: Firmware Developer / Reverse Engineer (Computer Scientist, Level 2 or Level 3) Location: Columbia, MD (on-site ...

InterImage

Firmware-Savvy CNO Developer

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview We are seeking a Firmware/Hardware Engineer to support the development, analysis, and enhancement of embedded systems and low-level software across a variety of platforms. This role sits at ...

InterImage

Firmware-Savvy CNO Developer

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview We are seeking a Firmware/Hardware Engineer to support the development, analysis, and enhancement of embedded systems and low-level software across a variety of platforms. This role sits at ...

InterImage

Firmware-Savvy CNO Developer

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview We are seeking a Firmware/Hardware Engineer to support the development, analysis, and enhancement of embedded systems and low-level software across a variety of platforms. This role sits at ...

Fend Incorporated

Embedded Firmware Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • PTO

This position will work with the Chief Engineer to develop embedded software for this security ... embedded firmware. We will look at a sample of your work • US Citizenship is required Desired ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsFirmware Engineer JobsFirmware Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Firmware Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$84.9K

$189.6K

$232.1K

How much do firmware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for firmware engineer in Washington, DC is $189,569.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $161,900.00 and $232,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectFirmware EngineerEmbedded Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; knowledge of hardware and low-level programmingBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; strong programming skills in C/C++
Work EnvironmentDesigning and developing firmware for hardware devices, often working closely with hardware teamsDeveloping software for embedded systems, often in real-time environments
Industry UsageElectronics, consumer devices, IoT, automotiveConsumer electronics, medical devices, industrial automation

Firmware Engineers focus on creating low-level code that directly interacts with hardware components, while Embedded Software Engineers develop software that runs on embedded systems, often with a broader scope. Both roles require similar technical skills and often overlap in industries like consumer electronics and IoT.

How much money does a firmware engineer make?

A firmware engineer's salary varies by experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $80,000 to $130,000 annually in many regions. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills in embedded systems and real-time operating systems can earn higher salaries. Certifications and proficiency with tools like C and assembly language can also influence compensation.

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

To thrive as a Firmware Engineer, you need a solid background in embedded systems, C/C++ programming, and a relevant engineering degree such as Electrical or Computer Engineering. Familiarity with hardware debugging tools, version control systems like Git, and real-time operating systems (RTOS) is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help firmware engineers excel, especially when collaborating with hardware and software teams. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure reliable, efficient firmware that seamlessly integrates with hardware products.

What are some common challenges firmware engineers face when working with cross-functional teams?

Firmware Engineers often collaborate closely with hardware designers, software developers, and QA teams. A common challenge is ensuring clear communication of technical requirements and constraints, as firmware must interface seamlessly with hardware and higher-level software. Misalignment or delays in one area can impact overall delivery, so Firmware Engineers need strong problem-solving and collaboration skills to address integration issues and keep projects on track. Regular cross-team meetings and thorough documentation help mitigate these challenges.

What is a firmware engineer?

Firmware Engineers are professionals who design, develop, test, and maintain the low-level software (firmware) that allows hardware devices to function. This firmware acts as a bridge between the device's hardware and higher-level software, ensuring that hardware components operate correctly and efficiently. Firmware Engineers typically work with embedded systems, writing code in languages like C or C++ for microcontrollers, sensors, and other electronic devices. Their work is crucial in industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, medical devices, and telecommunications.

What does a firmware engineer do?

A firmware engineer designs, develops, and tests low-level software that controls hardware devices such as microcontrollers and embedded systems. They work with programming languages like C or C++, use tools like debuggers and oscilloscopes, and often collaborate with hardware engineers to ensure proper device functionality and performance.

What are the most commonly searched types of Firmware Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Firmware Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Firmware Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Firmware Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Firmware Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Firmware Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Firmware Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Firmware Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 70% In-person, 15% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $189,569 per year, or $91.1 per hour.

Firmware Engineer

TalentRemedy

Herndon, VA

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Fibertek, Inc. is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key contributions to lasers for atmospheric sensing, laser communications, and lidar sensors for NASA, DoD, and commercial customers. We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our Research and Development Division in Herndon VA.

As part of our R&D division, you would join our firmware team to develop, integrate, and test our firmware products in Fibertek's spaced-based, electro-optical systems. Essential Job Duties Lead and contribute to firmware architecture and implementation for space-based electro-optical payloads and laser systems Perform end-to-end firmware development lifecycle: from requirements analysis through design, coding, simulation, verification, and validation Collaborate closely with hardware, systems, software, and optical engineers in cross-functional teams to define interfaces, resolve design issues, and ensure seamless system integration Participate in task-based iterative development cycles, incorporating rapid feedback, frequent integration points, and incremental testing to meet mission reliability goals Conduct lab-based debugging, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and system-level validation using diagnostic tools and protocols Support peer code reviews, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement of development processes and best practices Apply high-reliability and space-grade techniques (e.g., fault tolerance, radiation mitigation) in a collaborative, team-oriented environment Contribute to documentation, design reviews, and risk identification throughout the product lifecycle Experience and Expertise Required 7+ years relevant experience BS/MS in EE or equivalent Expertise with firmware engineering, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing) Expertise with Digital Signal Processing, precision timing, optical comms (modems), LIDAR Experience with Xilinx, Microchip, and Lattice FPGAs and their associated development tools Experience developing test benches and running simulations to exercise the design and to verify compliance Experience interfacing and working with hardware designers during development, integration, and test phases Experience using schematics and block diagrams as inputs for firmware design Experience in high-speed serial links: GTY/GTM, JESD204B/C, Ethernet, SpaceWire Experience in standard peripheral interfaces: SPI, I2C, UART, LVDS, etc. Experience in memory interfaces: DDR3/4, QDR, FRAM, etc

Experience with GitHub, CI/CD for FPGA flows, code reviews, automated linting, synthesis, regression testing, timing closure, bitstream generation, release tagging Bonus Areas Experience in Python for build/testing automation and data analysis Experience with Linux, scripting, Docker containers, and automation Experience developing Hi-Rel/Space programs and TMR coding Experience developing code (C, C++) for microcontrollers Experience with VS Code

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