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Firmware Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Artech

Embedded Firmware Test Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $165K/yr

Bachelors or Masters in Electrical Engineering and/or Computer Science with a minimum of 3 years of ... Pre-silicon FPGA and Post-Silicon ASIC firmware validation. * Define and develop tests based on ...

Apple

Firmware Validation Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA

$126K - $220K/yr

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

Apple

Firmware Validation Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA

$181K - $318K/yr

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 ...

Micron

Staff Test Firmware Engineer

San Jose, CA

$198K - $269K/yr

Test the firmware in a variety of environments including simulation, FPGA prototyping, and on ... Establish working relationships with firmware development engineers to improve code quality.

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How much do firmware test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for firmware test engineer in the United States is $58.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.03 and $76.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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.

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Firmware Test Engineer jobs near you
Firmware QA Engineer

Firmware QA Engineer

Motive Companies

Westlake Village, CA

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Firmware QA Engineer (Embedded Test Engineer) 📍 In-Office - Westlake Village, CA 💰 $80,000 - $110,000
Job Summary
We are seeking a Firmware QA Engineer to improve reliability across an IoT-enabled cold chain logistics platform serving healthcare and pharmaceutical customers. This role is firmware-focused and hands-on - you will spend significant time running manual tests on real hardware, reproducing issues, collecting logs, and performing ship testing (pre-deployment verification) to ensure devices behave correctly before deployment.
You will work closely with firmware and hardware engineering, and coordinate with backend and operations teams to validate end-to-end behavior.
Responsibilities
  • Validate firmware releases on hardware against defined scope and acceptance criteria
  • Execute manual regression testing across core device behaviors (power, sensors, charging, connectivity, fault recovery)
  • Perform ship testing and pre-deployment verification, including device setup, configuration checks, and release readiness validation for outgoing units
  • Run dedicated firmware test passes for each release (smoke, regression, and targeted suites) and report clear pass/fail results
  • Validate GPS functionality and firmware behavior, including time to first fix, accuracy checks, signal loss and recovery, and low-signal edge cases
  • Reproduce and triage device issues using logs and lab tools (serial logs, in-house tooling)
  • Partner with firmware and hardware engineers early to clarify expected behavior, edge cases, and testability needs
  • Validate connectivity behavior relevant to firmware, including pairing and stability
  • Support investigation and reproduction of customer-impacting issues by capturing device evidence and helping isolate root cause boundaries
  • Contribute light scripting and tooling to speed up repetitive checks (Python, shell) - automation is not the core requirement
  • Communicate quality status, risks, and tradeoffs clearly to cross-functional stakeholders

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Computer, Software, Mechanical, or related field)
  • Experience testing embedded firmware or hardware-integrated systems
  • Comfortable working on-site and handling devices in a lab environment
  • Strong manual testing discipline and ability to follow and improve repeatable test procedures
  • Experience debugging using logs and basic tools (serial logs, Linux commands, basic network traces)
  • Familiarity with firmware concepts: versioning, device state, power cycling, failure recovery, and regression testing
  • Ability to write clear bug reports with steps, evidence, and impact
  • Able to work effectively across firmware, hardware, backend, and operations teams
Nice to Have
  • Experience validating firmware update flows (OTA or local) and confirming device version post-update
  • Experience testing GPS modules and interpreting GPS-related logs (time to first fix, accuracy metrics)
  • Scripting experience in Bash/Shell and/or Python for test utilities, log parsing, and repeatable validation workflows
  • Experience in regulated or safety-conscious environments (healthcare, life sciences, aerospace, OEM)
Education:Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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