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Firmware Jobs in Alberta (NOW HIRING)

Firmware Engineer

Calgary, AB ยท Hybrid

CA$90K - CA$125K/yr

Build Firmware That Has to Work in the Real World Tangent Design Engineering is looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to join our Calgary-based product development team. We solve complex ...

Test hardware and the firmware in devices * Contribute to and author test summaries * Present and report findings to cross-functional teams * Recommend actions or solutions to improve products

Familiarity with embedded firmware and communication interfaces. * Understanding of regulatory and safety-critical design standards. * Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach - comfortable ...

Strong expertise in embedded firmware development (MCU/DSP), including real-time control and hardware interfacing * Deep understanding of signal processing algorithms (implementation and optimization)

Firmware information

Are firmware engineers in demand?

Firmware engineers are in high demand due to the growth of embedded systems in industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, and IoT. They typically require skills in C/C++, debugging, and hardware integration, and job opportunities are expected to grow as technology advances.

What engineer makes 500,000 a year?

Senior firmware engineers or embedded systems engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-paying industries such as aerospace, defense, or advanced technology can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually. These roles often require advanced certifications, leadership responsibilities, and work in competitive, high-demand environments.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior firmware engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills in embedded systems, and certifications, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation is often found in industries like aerospace, defense, or high-tech manufacturing, particularly in senior or lead roles with managerial responsibilities.

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 expertise in embedded systems, strong programming skills in C/C++, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with microcontroller architectures, debugging tools like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers, and version control systems such as Git is typically required. Problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills that set top performers apart. These skills are crucial for developing reliable, efficient firmware that seamlessly integrates with hardware and meets project requirements.

What is a firmware job?

A firmware job involves developing, testing, and maintaining low-level software that controls hardware devices such as embedded systems, microcontrollers, and electronic equipment. Firmware engineers typically work with programming languages like C or Assembly and may use tools like debuggers and oscilloscopes to ensure hardware-software integration. The role requires knowledge of hardware architecture and often involves collaboration with hardware engineers.

What are some common challenges firmware engineers face when working on embedded systems projects?

Firmware engineers often encounter challenges such as debugging low-level code with limited visibility, managing resource constraints like memory and processing power, and ensuring seamless integration between hardware and software components. Collaborating closely with hardware designers and test engineers is essential to resolve issues quickly and maintain project timelines. Additionally, firmware engineers must stay up-to-date with evolving hardware platforms and security best practices to deliver reliable and robust solutions.

What is firmware and what does a firmware engineer do?

Firmware is specialized software programmed into hardware devices, enabling them to function and interact with other systems. A firmware engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains this low-level software that controls the hardware of devices such as routers, printers, embedded systems, and IoT products. Their role often involves coding in languages like C or C++, debugging hardware-software integration issues, and ensuring that the firmware is efficient, reliable, and secure.

What Are Firmware Jobs?

Firmware jobs include roles like firmware engineer, firmware developer, firmware test engineer, and firmware design engineer. In any of these firmware jobs, your responsibilities are to develop, test, and implement code to program the firmware content embedded in electronic devices like cell phones, remote controls, video game consoles, and medical devices. Your job duties vary depending on your industry and your exact job title. For example, as a firmware design engineer, you create firmware code that controls the electronic components of a device. As a firmware test engineer, your duties focus on testing, troubleshooting, and debugging firmware.

What is the difference between Firmware vs Embedded Systems Engineer?

AspectFirmwareEmbedded Systems Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields; certifications like Certified Embedded Systems Professional (CESP) are commonSimilar credentials; often holds degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science; certifications like CESP are also relevant
Work EnvironmentDevelops low-level code for hardware devices, often working in hardware labs or manufacturing settingsDesigns and develops embedded systems, working in diverse environments including industrial, automotive, or consumer electronics
Industry UsageUsed in consumer electronics, IoT devices, and hardware componentsApplied across industries like automotive, medical devices, and industrial automation

Firmware developers focus on writing low-level code that directly interacts with hardware components, often in embedded devices. Embedded Systems Engineers have a broader role, designing entire embedded systems, including hardware-software integration. While their skills overlap, firmware is more hardware-specific, whereas embedded systems engineering encompasses system design and integration.

Infographic showing various Firmware job openings in Alberta as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Firmware Engineer

Tangent Services

Calgary, AB โ€ข Hybrid

CA$90K - CA$125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Build Firmware That Has to Work in the Real World

Tangent Design Engineering is looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to join our Calgary-based product development team.

We solve complex engineering challenges across consumer electronics, industrial systems, and everything in between. Our work is deeply technical, highly collaborative, and focused on building reliable products that perform outside the lab, not prototypes that collect dust on a shelf.

In this role, you will develop customized firmware solutions, work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, and help turn complex technical requirements into products that work. You will have the opportunity to contribute across the full product development lifecycle while continuing to deepen your technical expertise.


What You Will Do

As a Firmware Engineer, your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

  • Programming and debugging prototype electronics hardware in C and C++
  • Developing scripts using languages such as Python or MATLAB
  • Programming FPGAs using VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog
  • Working with communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, Bluetooth, cellular modems, CAN bus, and Modbus
  • Using GitHub or similar tools for version control
  • Supporting hardware component selection, including microcontrollers, sensors, and communication technologies
  • Testing, measuring, and analyzing hardware designs
  • Reviewing electrical schematics and supporting hardware troubleshooting
  • Participating in design reviews, code reviews, and technical team meetings
  • Collaborating with electrical, mechanical, software, and project teams
  • Preparing technical documentation and reports using Microsoft Office and Windows-based tools


What You Bring

On your resume, we ask that you demonstrate:

  • Five or more years of experience in firmware, embedded software, software engineering, or a related technical role
  • A degree or diploma in Electrical, Computer, Electronics, Software Engineering, or a related discipline
  • Strong experience developing applications in C or C++
  • Experience programming and debugging embedded systems
  • Familiarity with both Windows and Linux environments
  • Experience working with hardware, including reading schematics and supporting board-level troubleshooting
  • Experience in a product development or product manufacturing environment
  • FPGA programming experience is considered an asset


During the Interview

We will ask you to:

  • Share what excites you about engineering design and technology development
  • Describe your experience in firmware or embedded software development, including your specific responsibilities and achievements
  • Walk us through a challenging technical problem and how you approached solving it
  • Explain how you have collaborated with other engineers or disciplines on previous projects
  • Provide examples of how you have communicated technical information clearly
  • Demonstrate your analytical thinking and ability to use data, testing, and evidence to solve problems


Why Tangent?

At Tangent, you will work on challenging projects with people who genuinely enjoy solving difficult problems.

We offer:

  • A flexible, hybrid work environment
  • People leaders who care about their teams and want them to succeed
  • A collaborative culture grounded in problem solving, teamwork, and wellness
  • A base salary of $90,000 to $125,000, depending on experience
  • Excellent health and dental benefits
  • Profit sharing
  • The opportunity to work on a wide variety of products, technologies, and industries
  • Meaningful influence over how products are designed, developed, tested, and brought to life

If you enjoy solving difficult technical problems, working across hardware and software, and building products that need to perform reliably in the real world, we would like to hear from you.

To apply, please upload your resume online, preferably as one document. We thank everyone who applies for their interest in Tangent. While we appreciate every application, we will only contact candidates whose experience closely aligns with the role.