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Firmware Test Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Firmware Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$128K - $170K/yr

Write and maintain firmware tests and safety mechanism validation tests * Produce Functional Safety-compliant firmware work products aligned with ISO 26262 * Participate in requirements, design ...

Responsible for developing test automation along with executing firmware test cases for System on a Chip (SoC) in wireless application, you will work closely with the Software Engineering team ...

Participate in a team of Hardware design engineers, Firmware design engineers, Software engineers & Production engineers providing optimized test plans and detail test fixture designs. * Architect ...

You will work closely with electrical engineering, firmware, and manufacturing teams to ensure all test systems are robust, scalable, and capable of identifying issues before boards ever reach final ...

You will work closely with electrical engineering, firmware, and manufacturing teams to ensure all test systems are robust, scalable, and capable of identifying issues before boards ever reach final ...

Firmware Engineer I-II

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Design, develop, test, and maintain firmware for reactor instrumentation, control, monitoring, and ... Collaborate with electrical engineers on schematics, board design reviews, signal integrity ...

Senior Firmware Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150K - $185K/yr

Design, develop, test, and maintain firmware for reactor instrumentation, control, monitoring, and ... Collaborate with electrical engineers on schematics, board design reviews, signal integrity ...

Firmware Engineer I-II

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Design, develop, test, and maintain firmware for reactor instrumentation, control, monitoring, and ... Collaborate with electrical engineers on schematics, board design reviews, signal integrity ...

Showing results 41-60

Firmware Test Engineer information

See California salary details

$10

$57

$79

How much do firmware test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for firmware test engineer in California is $58.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42.45 and $75.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a firmware test engineer?

A Firmware Test Engineer is a professional responsible for designing, developing, and executing tests to ensure the quality and reliability of firmware, which is low-level software that controls hardware devices. They work closely with development teams to identify bugs, verify functionality, and validate performance across various hardware platforms. Their role is critical in preventing defects, improving product stability, and ensuring that firmware meets customer and regulatory standards.

What are the typical challenges a firmware test engineer faces when validating new hardware products?

Firmware Test Engineers often encounter challenges related to limited documentation, rapidly evolving hardware prototypes, and integration issues between firmware and physical components. Testing often requires developing custom test setups and automation tools to simulate real-world scenarios, which can be time-consuming but crucial for identifying hidden bugs. Collaboration with hardware and software teams is essential to troubleshoot issues quickly, and adaptability is key as project priorities and specifications may shift throughout the development cycle.

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

To thrive as a Firmware Test Engineer, you need strong skills in embedded systems, programming languages like C/C++, and a solid understanding of hardware-software integration, often supported by a degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with test automation tools, version control systems (e.g., Git), and debugging equipment such as oscilloscopes is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure accurate testing, efficient troubleshooting, and high-quality firmware delivery in complex technical environments.

What is the difference between Firmware Test Engineer vs Hardware Test Engineer?

AspectFirmware Test EngineerHardware Test Engineer
Primary FocusTesting firmware/software components embedded in devicesTesting physical hardware and electronic components
Required SkillsEmbedded systems, coding, debugging firmwareElectronics, circuit analysis, hardware troubleshooting
Work EnvironmentDevelopment labs, software testing environmentsHardware labs, electronic testing facilities
Common CertificationsEmbedded systems certifications, ISTQBElectronics certifications, IPC certifications

Firmware Test Engineers focus on validating embedded software within devices, while Hardware Test Engineers concentrate on physical hardware components. Both roles often collaborate in product development but require different technical skills and testing environments.

What job categories do people searching Firmware Test Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Firmware Test Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Firmware Test Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Firmware Test Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Firmware Test Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,630 per year, or $58 per hour.

Senior Firmware Engineer

LHP Engineering Solutions

Goleta, CA • On-site

$128K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

LHP Engineering Solutions is a Functional Safety global leader committed to creating safe transportation with developing technologies such as Electric Vehicles, Advance Driver Assistance Systems. At LHP we ensure Functional Safety and Cyber Security development of these systems and technologies by leveraging our core expertise with widely accepted standards such as AUTOSAR, ISO26262, ASPICE, ISO/SAE 21434.

We seek a Senior Firmware / FPGA Engineer – Functional Safety & Verification to join our team. As a Firmware / FPGA Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, development, verification, and validation of safety-critical firmware and FPGA-based solutions for automotive and transportation customers. This role emphasizes low-level development, RTL verification, and Functional Safety–compliant work products, with a strong focus on independent verification and validation (IV&V).

Your Responsibilities Will Include:
• Design and develop low-level firmware and FPGA/RTL logic for safety-critical automotive systems
• Perform RTL verification including simulation-based and formal verification techniques
• Execute Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) activities for firmware and programmable logic
• Develop firmware and FPGA verification plans, test environment, and automated tests
• Write and maintain firmware tests and safety mechanism validation tests
• Produce Functional Safety–compliant firmware work products aligned with ISO 26262
• Participate in requirements, design, safety, and code reviews
• Collaborate with system, hardware, safety, and test engineers

Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
• 5+ years of experience in firmware and/or FPGA development
• Strong experience with low-level firmware development using Verilog/VHDL
• Hands-on RTL design and verification experience
• IVV RTL experience
• FPGA Formal Verification experience
• Automotive Functional Safety experience
• Experience writing firmware work products and firmware tests for Functional Safety

Must be a US Citizen

The Ideal Candidate Will Have
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a cross-functional, safety-driven environment
• Detail-oriented mindset suitable for safety-critical systems
• Interest in firmware, RTL, toolchains, and verification environments

EEO Statement: LHP, Inc. is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.

ADA Statement: LHP, Inc. will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact Human Resources.

LHP, Inc. participates in E-Verify to verify work authorization.