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Firmware Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Senior Firmware Engineer

Sun Prairie, WI ยท On-site

$116K - $153K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Senior Firmware Engineer, you will be part of ahigh-performingteam of designers, engineers, and problem solvers working together under one roof to turn ideas into real, functioning products. Our ...

Senior Firmware Engineer

Sun Prairie, WI ยท On-site

$116K - $153K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Senior Firmware Engineer, you will be part of a high-performing team of designers, engineers, and problem solvers working together under one roof to turn ideas into real, functioning products.

Senior Firmware Engineer

Sun Prairie, WI ยท On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Senior Firmware Engineer, you will be part of a high-performing team of designers, engineers, and problem solvers working together under one roof to turn ideas into real, functioning products.

Senior Edge Engineer - Firmware & MCU

Madison, WI ยท On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Day-to-day that means secure boot, signed firmware, MQTT-over-TLS to the cloud, and the field-side protocol layer (Modbus RTU, plus CAN bus where required) on our current ARM Cortex-M class device.

... firmware for FPGAs (microcontroller knowledge considered a plus) Debug hardware/software interactions using lab tools (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, etc.) System Integration & Support Integrate ...

... firmware for FPGAs (microcontroller knowledge considered a plus) Debug hardware/software interactions using lab tools (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, etc.) System Integration & Support Integrate ...

... firmware for FPGAs (microcontroller knowledge considered a plus) โ€ข Debug hardware/software interactions using lab tools (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, etc.) System Integration & Support โ€ข ...

Software Engineering Manager

Windsor, WI ยท On-site +1

$135K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We are looking for a Software Engineering Manager to lead a multi-domain software team building embedded firmware, HMI/SCADA systems, instrument applications, and cloud-connected mobile/web platforms ...

Software Engineering Manager

Windsor, WI ยท On-site +1

$135K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We are looking for a Software Engineering Manager to lead a multi-domain software team building embedded firmware, HMI/SCADA systems, instrument applications, and cloud-connected mobile/web platforms ...

Software Engineering Manager

Windsor, WI ยท Hybrid

$135K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We are looking for a Software Engineering Manager to lead a multi-domain software team building embedded firmware, HMI/SCADA systems, instrument applications, and cloud-connected mobile/web platforms ...

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Showing results 1-20

Firmware information

See Madison, WI salary details

$75.6K

$168.7K

$206.6K

How much do firmware jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for firmware in Madison, WI is $168,715.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $144,100.00 and $206,600.00 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.

What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Firmware jobs?

Cities near Madison, WI with the most Firmware job openings:

Infographic showing various Firmware job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $168,715 per year, or $81.1 per hour.

Senior Firmware Engineer

i3 Product Development

Sun Prairie, WI โ€ข On-site

$116K - $153K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

At i3 Product Development, we are a place for people who love to build, learn, and stay curious, especially when the problems are complex. As a Senior Firmware Engineer, you will be part of ahigh-performingteam of designers, engineers, and problem solvers working together under one roof to turn ideas into real, functioning products.


Our projects spanthe medical, agricultural, industrial, consumer,healthand wellness, and on-andoff-roadrecreation industries, so the technical challenges are always evolving. One month,you might be architecting firmware for a connected embedded platform.Next, you couldbe optimizingperformance and power consumption on a resource-constraineddevice. With more than 100 projects each year, the work is varied,hands-on, and deeply collaborative.


About the Role

This role isidealfor engineers who enjoy technical depth, systems thinking, and cross-functional collaboration.As a senior engineer, you will shape and own firmware architecture, influence key hardware decisions, mentor teammates, and contribute from earlyconceptthrough product launch.You will strengthen our architectural foundations andestablishhigh engineering standards that scale with the growth and complexity of our projects.

We support our team with strong benefits, including a zero-deductible health plan, meaningful retirement match, and employee ownership,so you can focus on doinggreat workand growing your career.


What You Will Do

  • Design and develop firmware for embedded products from concept through production
  • Write andmaintainhigh-qualityC and C++ code
  • Develop control algorithms and communication interfaces
  • Collaborate closely with electrical engineers on hardware selection, boardbring-up, testing, and debugging
  • Support system integration and product validation efforts
  • Own and evolvefirmware architecture and technical direction
  • Leadand drivedesign reviews and cross-functional technical discussions
  • Mentor engineers and actively elevate team capability
  • Continuously build your skills through varied project work and shared learning


Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline
  • Sevenor more years of professional experience in embedded firmware development, including experience owning complex systems
  • Deepproficiencyin C and C++
  • Experience developing for32-bitmicrocontrollers and Single Board Computer platforms
  • Experience developing in embedded Linux environments
  • Experience using compilers, debuggers, and embedded development tools
  • Working knowledge of Real Time Operating Systems
  • Comfort using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and digital multimeters
  • Strong collaboration skills and a practical understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals
  • Experience leading architectural decisions across multiple firmware projects
  • Experienceestablishingor improving engineering standards and development processes
  • Strong designdocumentation and technical communication skills
  • Track recordof mentoring engineers and raising overall team capability


Nice to Have

  • Experience withadditionalprogramming languages such as C#, Python, or Java
  • Experience with communication protocols such as Wi Fi, Bluetooth, CAN, TCP/IP, SPI, or I2C
  • Familiarity with tools such as Wireshark
  • In-depthknowledge of Linux internals,including bootloaders, file systems, and kernel concepts
  • Experience with build systems such asYoctoorBuildroot
  • Experience in regulated industries such as medical


Why i3

At i3, Firmware Engineers do not work in isolation. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, see your code move from prototype to production, and help shape products that make a real impact. We value curiosity, accountability, and engineers who care about both technical excellence and team success.


Benefits

  • Health insurance with a zero-dollar deductible and employee premiums as low as nine dollars per pay period
  • Dental and vision coverage
  • 401(k) with a dollar-for-dollar match up to six percent
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program
  • Company paid short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Company paid life insurance at two times your annual salary
  • Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
  • Paid time off plus nine paid holidays
  • Emergency Assistance Fund
  • Charitable Match Program