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Firmware Hardware Design Engineer Jobs in Colorado

@Orchard

Embedded Hardware Engineer

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

... firmware and driver code in C to interface with Ethernet switch registers, PHYs, and system controllers. * Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner on-site with hardware design engineers and systems ...

Blue Origin

Sr. FPGA Firmware Developer

Denver, CO · On-site

$181K - $254K/yr

You will work closely with our Electrical Hardware Design and Systems Engineering teams to deliver ... Define and document firmware architecture, requirements, and interfaces * Perform FPGA synthesis ...

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Firmware Hardware Design Engineer information

What is a firmware hardware design engineer?

A Firmware Hardware Design Engineer is a professional who develops and integrates firmware (software that is closely tied to hardware) with electronic hardware systems. They are responsible for designing, testing, and troubleshooting embedded systems and ensuring that the firmware operates efficiently with the hardware components. Their work typically involves programming microcontrollers, circuit design, schematic creation, and collaboration with other engineering teams. This role is critical in industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial automation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a firmware hardware design engineer?

To thrive as a Firmware Hardware Design Engineer, you need expertise in embedded systems, digital and analog circuit design, and proficiency in programming languages such as C/C++, often backed by an electrical engineering degree. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Altium Designer, MATLAB, oscilloscopes, and experience with hardware debugging platforms are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills that differentiate top performers. These competencies ensure reliable product development, seamless integration of hardware and firmware, and successful project delivery in technologically demanding environments.

What are some common challenges firmware hardware design engineers face when integrating new hardware with existing firmware?

Firmware Hardware Design Engineers often encounter challenges when ensuring that new hardware components communicate seamlessly with existing firmware. Compatibility issues, timing constraints, and debugging low-level interactions between hardware and firmware are frequent hurdles. Collaborating closely with both hardware and software teams is essential to resolve these challenges efficiently, often requiring thorough testing and iterative refinement. This integration process provides valuable hands-on experience and opportunities to develop problem-solving skills crucial for career growth in embedded systems engineering.

What is the difference between Firmware Hardware Design Engineer vs Embedded Systems Engineer?

AspectFirmware Hardware Design EngineerEmbedded Systems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related; certifications like Certified Embedded Systems ProfessionalBachelor's in Electrical, Computer Engineering, or related; similar certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning hardware and firmware for embedded devices, often in R&D or product development teamsDeveloping and testing embedded software and hardware integration in various industries
Industry UsageElectronics, consumer devices, automotive, aerospaceConsumer electronics, industrial automation, medical devices

The Firmware Hardware Design Engineer focuses on designing both hardware and firmware components for embedded systems, ensuring seamless integration. The Embedded Systems Engineer typically develops software for embedded hardware, often working on system-level integration. While both roles require similar skills and certifications, the Firmware Hardware Design Engineer emphasizes hardware design alongside firmware development, whereas the Embedded Systems Engineer concentrates more on software development within embedded environments.

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Firmware Hardware Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Firmware Hardware Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Firmware Hardware Design Engineer job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Hardware Design Engineer (x86/Xeon)

Colorado Springs, CO • On-site

@Orchard
Health Care and Social Assistance • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about @Orchardexternal

$140K - $180K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 19 hours ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead the physical and functional bring-up of custom x86 boards featuring Intel Xeon processors, from first power-on through full operational stability.

  • Configure, debug, and troubleshoot AMI BIOS during initial boot phases; isolate issues spanning hardware interfaces, memory initialization, PCIe training, and boot sequence execution.

  • Use lab tools to conduct board-level rework, signal integrity checks, and root-cause failure analysis.

Job description

Hardware Design Engineer (x86 / Xeon Bring-Up)

Colorado Springs, CO (100% On-Site, 5 days/week)

Contract

US Citizenship Required

@Orchard LLC has an immediate need to fulfill a long-term contract role as an Embedded Hardware Engineer with Ethernet Switch experience. The role is in support of a client that builds secure, resilient, micro-edge infrastructure engineered to survive and protect critical communications and data in demanding environments. By fusing high-performance x86 processing, advanced hardware security, and edge software architectures, we deliver high-assurance platforms for national security, defense, and critical infrastructure.

Role Overview

Our Engineering team is seeking a self-motivated Contract Hardware Design Engineer with deep expertise in x86 architecture to drive the bring-up, debugging, and ongoing hardware validation of complex, multicore Intel Xeon processor boards.

In this hands-on role, you will lead early-stage board bring-up, configure and debug AMI BIOS boot flows, and collaborate closely with software engineers to write targeted test utilities and assess system-level application needs. Working within a lean, agile team at our Colorado Springs facility, you will take ownership of board-level verification, signal integrity/bus testing, and overall hardware maintenance across our high-performance compute platforms.

Key Responsibilities

  • Multicore Xeon Board Bring-Up: Lead the physical and functional bring-up of custom x86 boards featuring Intel Xeon processors, from first power-on through full operational stability.
  • AMI BIOS Integration & Debugging: Configure, debug, and troubleshoot AMI BIOS during initial boot phases; isolate issues spanning hardware interfaces, memory initialization, PCIe training, and boot sequence execution.
  • Microprocessor & Boot Sequence Validation: Leverage deep knowledge of modern x86 power-on sequences, reset logic, clock distribution, and memory controller behavior to identify and resolve complex system bring-up blocks.
  • Software Collaboration & Test Program Development: Work alongside software and embedded systems engineers to define, create, and execute custom test programs to stress board peripherals, validate interfaces, and ensure hardware aligns with end-application requirements.
  • Hardware Maintenance & Debugging: Use lab tools (logic analyzers, high-speed oscilloscopes, JTAG debuggers, in-circuit emulators) to conduct board-level rework, signal integrity checks, and root-cause failure analysis.
  • Independent Execution: Take full accountability for assigned bring-up tasks with light guidance, serving as a reliable technical point-of-contact within a close-knit engineering unit.

Requirements & Qualifications

Mandatory Prerequisites

  • Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen (due to compliance and program security mandates).
  • Processor Architecture: Proven hands-on experience bringing up and debugging high-density multicore Intel Xeon (or modern x86) enterprise compute boards.
  • BIOS / Firmware Expertise: Practical experience working directly with AMI BIOS, including early execution phases (PEI/DXE), UEFI setup, and debugging hardware-to-firmware handoffs.
  • System Boot Sequences: Thorough understanding of x86 hardware startup sequences, power sequencing, low-level bus topologies (PCIe, UPI/QPI, I2C/SMBus, LPC/eSPI), and DDR memory training.
  • Hardware Debugging & Maintenance: Demonstrated ability to isolate hardware defects, perform board modification/rework, and apply lab instruments (scopes, logic analyzers, bus sniffers) to resolve hardware bugs.
  • Software / Test Development: Ability to write low-level scripts or functional test applications in C, Python, or assembly to validate hardware subsystems and interface components.
  • Team Dynamics: Self-directed, highly motivated engineering professional who thrives in a fast-moving, small-team environment under minimal supervision.

Preferred Experience

  • Experience developing high-reliability, ruggedized, or defense-grade hardware systems.
  • Background working with Baseboard Management Controllers (BMCs) and IPMI interfaces.
  • Knowledge of thermal, power-delivery, and high-speed PCB design layout considerations for x86 processor architectures.

Compensation: The anticipated base salary range is $140,000 - $180,000. The full compensation package is determined by experience and qualifications. Our client offers a competitive benefits package to all staff members.

Established in 2010, @Orchard LLC has an exceptional reputation, providing staffing solutions to time-sensitive talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI.  Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skill set, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.atOrchard.com.