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Firmware Tester Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

... testing to meet mission reliability goals Conduct lab-based debugging, hardware-in-the-loop testing ... with firmware engineering, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing) Expertise with Digital Signal ...

Own the full firmware development lifecycle: requirements gathering, architecture design, implementation, testing, and deployment to production hardware. * Write robust, real-time firmware in C/C ...

... testing to meet mission reliability goals Conduct lab-based debugging, hardware-in-the-loop testing ... with firmware engineering, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing) Expertise with Digital Signal ...

Senior Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$140K - $210K/yr

Conduct lab-based debugging, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and system-level validation using ... Expertise with firmware engineering, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing) * Expertise with Digital ...

Senior Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$140K - $210K/yr

Conduct lab-based debugging, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and system-level validation using ... Expertise with firmware engineering, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing) * Expertise with Digital ...

Firmware Engineer

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

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 ...

Firmware Engineer

Falls Church, VA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

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 ...

Firmware Engineer

Falls Church, VA · Hybrid

$140K - $160K/yr

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 ...

As a Firmware Engineer, you are part of a cross-functional team developing optical terminal ... testing. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not ...

As a Firmware Engineer, you are part of a cross-functional team developing optical terminal ... testing. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not ...

Embedded Firmware Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Tasks can include writing code, testing and debugging of the hardware and software in the field ... Experience designing embedded firmware. We will look at a sample of your work US Citizenship is ...

Embedded Firmware Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Tasks can include writing code, testing and debugging of the hardware and software in the field ... embedded firmware. We will look at a sample of your work • US Citizenship is required Desired ...

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Firmware Tester information

See Washington salary details

$12

$66

$91

How much do firmware tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for firmware tester in Washington is $66.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.75 and $86.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a firmware tester?

Firmware Testers are professionals who evaluate and verify the quality, stability, and functionality of firmware—software that is embedded in hardware devices. They design and execute tests to identify bugs, ensure compliance with specifications, and confirm that firmware updates do not introduce new problems. Their work is crucial in industries like electronics, automotive, and IoT, where reliable device operation is essential. Firmware Testers often use specialized tools for debugging and may collaborate closely with developers to resolve issues.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a firmware tester?

To thrive as a Firmware Tester, you need a solid understanding of embedded systems, programming languages like C/C++, and experience with hardware debugging tools, often supported by a degree in computer engineering or a related field. Familiarity with test automation frameworks, version control systems, and protocols such as UART, SPI, or I2C is typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication help testers identify issues and work collaboratively with development teams. These skills ensure firmware reliability, efficient troubleshooting, and seamless integration with hardware products.

What are some common challenges firmware testers face when working with new hardware prototypes?

Firmware Testers often encounter challenges such as limited documentation, rapidly changing hardware specifications, and unpredictable bugs when working with new hardware prototypes. These circumstances require strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and close collaboration with hardware engineers and developers. Testers must frequently develop custom test scripts and adjust their testing strategies as the hardware evolves, making flexibility and clear communication essential parts of the job.

What is the difference between Firmware Tester vs Software Tester?

AspectFirmware TesterSoftware Tester
Required credentialsTypically a degree in computer engineering, electronics, or related field; certifications like ISTQB are commonSimilar credentials; ISTQB certification often preferred
Work environmentEmbedded systems, hardware devices, IoT productsApplications, web platforms, desktop software
Employer & industry usageElectronics, consumer devices, automotive, aerospaceIT companies, software development firms, tech startups
Common search & comparison intentUnderstanding roles in hardware-focused testingUnderstanding roles in software-focused testing

Firmware Testers focus on testing embedded systems and hardware-integrated firmware, ensuring functionality on physical devices. Software Testers primarily test applications and software programs in virtual environments. While both roles require similar certifications and skills, their work environments and focus areas differ significantly, catering to hardware versus software testing needs.

What job categories do people searching Firmware Tester jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Firmware Tester jobs in Washington are:

Infographic showing various Firmware Tester job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 54% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 44% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,438 per year, or $66.6 per hour.

Firmware Engineer

TalentRemedy

Herndon, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 10 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