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Firmware Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mind Robotics

Firmware Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Firmware is the connective tissue between intelligence and action; the layer where commands become motion. We're looking for a Firmware Engineer to own the embedded software that brings our robots to ...

Super Micro Computer

Firmware Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $135K/yr

Super Micro Computer, Inc. is seeking a talented Firmware Engineer who will be responsible for developing world-class firmware to fully maximize the strong hardware architecture of in-house servers.

Supermicro

Firmware Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$97K - $110K/yr

Super Micro Computer, Inc. is seeking a talented Firmware Engineer who will be responsible for developing world-class firmware to fully maximize the strong hardware architecture of in-house servers.

Zapnix LLC

Firmware Engineer

Foster City, CA · On-site

Position - Firmware QA Location - Foster City CA Our team is seeking a hands-on Firmware Validation Engineer to join the Firmware - Connectivity and Audio team. This is a validation-first role ...

New

Lumotive

Engineer, Firmware

Milpitas, CA

$90K - $115K/yr

Join our firmware team to develop and support embedded software for next-generation Mixed signal ASIC/SoC for Optical circuit switching platform. This role is ideal for recent graduates or engineers ...

Innogrit

Senior Firmware Developer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Senior Firmware Developers Job Overview: We are looking for firmware engineers to develop firmware for our solid-state device solutions. The idea candidate for this role will work in a highly dynamic ...

Anduril Industries

Firmware Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

ABOUT THE ROLE We are looking for a Firmware Engineer with experience developing low-level software/firmware for embedded systems products to join our team. In this role, you will develop and deliver ...

Chariot Defense

Firmware Engineer

San Bruno, CA · On-site

About the Role Firmware is where our product meets the physical world. We're looking for a Firmware & Embedded Controls Engineer to own the low-level software that commands Chariot's power ...

El Camino Health

Staff Firmware Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200 - $250/hr

Staff Firmware Engineer - San Francisco, CA Location: San Francisco, CA (94103) - Hybrid (three days onsite, two days remote, number of days may vary by project). Role Summary We are looking for a ...

Supermicro

Firmware Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $135K/yr

Super Micro Computer, Inc. is seeking a talented Firmware Engineer who will be responsible for developing world-class firmware to fully maximize the strong hardware architecture of in-house servers.

Syntricate Technologies

Firmware Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Syntricate Technologies is a company seeking a Firmware Engineer to join their team. The role involves testing SSD firmware and requires extensive experience in Python programming and knowledge of ...

Super Micro Computer

Firmware Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$97K - $110K/yr

Super Micro Computer, Inc. is seeking a talented Firmware Engineer who will be responsible for developing world-class firmware to fully maximize the strong hardware architecture of in-house servers.

Anduril Industries

Firmware Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$166K - $220K/yr

About the Team The Firmware Team at Anduril develops core technology used across multiple products such as Barracuda, Dive-LD, Altius, and Roadrunner. We work in close coordination with Electrical ...

Oclaro

Principal Firmware Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

Principal Firmware Engineer Employment Type: Full-time, Existing vacancy Location: San-Jose (On-Site) About Lumentum At Lumentum, we're building the tech behind the world's fastest networks and most ...

Irhythmtech

Staff Firmware Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

Staff Firmware Engineering Location: San Francisco, CA (94103)- Hybrid (three days onsite, two days remote). Note: The number of days on-site may vary week to week depending on project needs. Career ...

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All JobsFirmware JobsFirmware Jobs in California

Firmware information

See California salary details

$74K

$165.2K

$202.3K

How much do firmware jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for firmware in California is $165,245.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,100.00 and $202,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is firmware?

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 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 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 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.

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 increase as technology advances.

Do firmware engineers make good money?

Firmware engineers typically earn competitive salaries due to their specialized skills in embedded systems, programming languages like C and C++, and knowledge of hardware integration. Salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but the role is generally well-compensated compared to other engineering fields.
More about Firmware jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Firmware jobs in California?

The most popular types of Firmware jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Firmware jobs?

Cities in California with the most Firmware job openings:

Firmware jobs near you
Infographic showing various Firmware job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $165,245 per year, or $79.4 per hour.

Firmware Engineer

Mind Robotics

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

The Role

At Mind Robotics, we're building generalized physical AI — robotic systems capable of dexterous, adaptive, and reasoning-intensive work in real-world industrial environments. Firmware is the connective tissue between intelligence and action; the layer where commands become motion.

We're looking for a Firmware Engineer to own the embedded software that brings our robots to life — from low-level motor control and real-time scheduling to the communication buses that tie the whole system together.

Responsibilities
  • Write, test, and maintain production-quality firmware in C/C++ or Rust for microcontrollers and embedded processors across the robot
  • Implement and debug embedded communication protocols — CAN, EtherCAT, I2C, SPI, UART — across distributed hardware nodes
  • Configure and manage microcontroller peripherals — GPIO, ADC, PWM, timers, and DMA — to interface with sensors, actuators, and power electronics
  • Integrate sensors (encoders, IMUs, torque sensors, force/torque arrays) into the robot's real-time pipeline
  • Work closely with electrical engineers on board bring-up, pinout definitions, and hardware-software interface design
  • Develop and tune real-time control loops for motors, actuators, and other physical systems under hard timing constraints
  • Build tooling to support firmware validation, regression testing, and hardware-in-the-loop systems
  • Triage and debug complex interactions between firmware, hardware, and higher-level software during development and field deployment
Qualifications
  • Technical degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent
  • Demonstrated experience (through work, research, or projects) building firmware for real physical systems — robots, motors, power electronics, or similar
  • Deep fluency in C/C++ and/or Rust for embedded targets; comfort reading datasheets and writing drivers
  • Hands-on experience with RTOS environments (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or similar) — task scheduling, priority management, and real-time guarantees
  • Strong working knowledge of embedded communication protocols: CAN, EtherCAT, I2C, SPI, UART
  • Direct experience configuring microcontroller peripherals (GPIO, ADC, PWM, timers, DMA) and understanding their impact on system timing and performanceExperience integrating sensors and actuators at the firmware level — not just using libraries, but understanding the hardware underneath
  • Proven ability to debug across the hardware/software boundary with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG
  • You are comfortable with ambiguity, move fast, and have an "engineering curiosity" that drives you to understand how the entire system works, not just your part
Nice to Have
  • Experience with safety-critical or deterministic real-time systems (IEC 61508, ISO 26262, or similar)
  • Familiarity with field-oriented control (FOC) or other motor control algorithms
  • Experience with Linux-based embedded systems and the boundary between RTOS and application layers
  • Python scripting for test automation, data logging, or hardware validation
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