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Principal Firmware Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Micron

Principal Engineer, Firmware

Longmont, CO · On-site

$161K - $275K/yr

Micron's SSD Firmware team is seeking a Principal Firmware Engineer to drive the architectural direction of next-generation Solid State Drive development. In this role, you will serve as a technical ...

Micron Technology

Principal Engineer, Firmware

Longmont, CO · On-site

$161K - $275K/yr

Micron's SSD Firmware team is seeking a Principal Firmware Engineer to drive the architectural direction of next-generation Solid State Drive development. In this role, you will serve as a technical ...

Micron

Principal Engineer, Firmware

Longmont, CO · On-site

$161K - $275K/yr

As a Principal Firmware Engineer, you will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge memory and storage technologies that push the limits of innovation. This role is ideal for ambitious engineers ...

Graphcore

Principal Firmware Design Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

We are looking for a Principal Firmware Design Engineer with strong experience in the Zephyr RTOS to design, develop, and maintain embedded software across server and rack-scale platforms, primarily ...

Graphcore

Principal Firmware Design Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

We are looking for a Principal Firmware Design Engineer with strong experience in the Zephyr RTOS to design, develop, and maintain embedded software across server and rack-scale platforms, primarily ...

Monarch Quantum

Firmware Engineer 5

San Diego, CA · On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Principal Firmware Engineer. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role ...

Monarch Quantum

Firmware Engineer 5

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

$200K - $250K/yr

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Principal Firmware Engineer. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role ...

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All JobsPrincipal Firmware Engineer Jobs

Principal Firmware Engineer information

See salary details

$75K

$167.4K

$205K

How much do principal firmware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal firmware engineer in the United States is $167,438.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $143,000.00 and $205,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Principal Firmware Engineer vs Firmware Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Firmware EngineerFirmware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science; extensive experienceBachelor's in related field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesigning complex firmware, leading projects, mentoringDeveloping and testing firmware, implementing features
Industry UsageUsed in advanced product development, embedded systemsCommon in consumer electronics, IoT, embedded devices

The Principal Firmware Engineer typically has more experience, leadership responsibilities, and oversees complex projects, while Firmware Engineers focus on developing and testing firmware at an individual contributor level. Both roles require similar technical skills but differ in scope and seniority.

How does a Principal Firmware Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during product development?

As a Principal Firmware Engineer, you will frequently work alongside hardware engineers, software developers, and product managers to ensure seamless integration of firmware with hardware components. You'll be expected to lead technical discussions, provide architectural guidance, and review code or design documents from junior engineers. Collaboration often involves participating in design reviews, troubleshooting system-level issues, and translating product requirements into robust firmware solutions. This cross-functional teamwork is essential to delivering reliable, high-quality products on schedule.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Firmware Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Firmware Engineer, you need deep expertise in embedded systems, strong programming skills in C/C++, and a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with hardware debugging tools, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and experience with version control systems like Git are typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities are crucial soft skills for collaborating across engineering teams and guiding technical direction. These skills ensure the successful development, integration, and optimization of complex firmware solutions within multidisciplinary projects.

What are Principal Firmware Engineers?

Principal Firmware Engineers are senior technical leaders responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing the software that directly controls hardware devices. They play a key role in architecting embedded systems, setting technical direction, and mentoring other engineers on firmware best practices. In addition to coding, they collaborate with cross-functional teams, troubleshoot complex hardware-software integration issues, and ensure firmware reliability and performance. Their expertise is vital to the successful development and launch of electronic products.
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Principal Firmware Engineer jobs near you
Principal Embedded Firmware Engineer

Principal Embedded Firmware Engineer

USA Firmware

Houston, TX

$98K - $134K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

A Houston-based professional engineering firm is seeking a Principal Embedded Firmware Engineer to lead the architecture, design, development, verification, and maintenance of advanced safety-critical medical device firmware. This role focuses on Class I, II, and III medical devices, including neuromodulation platforms, implantable pulse generators, and artificial pancreas systems. The position requires leadership in embedded firmware development, risk and reliability analysis, secure design, wireless communication systems, and low-power embedded architectures.

The Principal Embedded Firmware Engineer will collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams across software, electrical, and mechanical disciplines to deliver high-quality products on schedule. The role also includes mentoring engineers, leading project execution strategy, driving technical innovation, and serving as a customer-facing technical leader.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Firmware architecture, coding, testing, integration, and verification
  • Safety-critical embedded systems development
  • Low-power embedded design and optimization
  • Development of wireless and wired communication interfaces (BLE, UART, I2C, USB, NFC)
  • Cybersecurity implementation and FOTA update strategies
  • Risk assessment, technical planning, and lifecycle management
  • Cross-functional collaboration and technical mentorship

Candidates should have extensive experience with C/C++, Python, ARM Cortex architectures, RTOS and bare-metal systems, medical device development processes, and relevant regulatory standards such as IEC 62304 and ISO 14971.

Requirements

  • MS degree in a relevant engineering or technical field, or equivalent experience
  • 15+ years of experience in embedded firmware or related specialized engineering fields
  • Minimum 10 years of experience working within a requirements-driven structured development process
  • Strong experience with embedded microcontrollers, bare-metal systems, and RTOS environments
  • Proficiency in C/C++, Python, and assembly language programming
  • Experience with ARM Cortex architectures and low-power embedded system design
  • Experience with communication interfaces including UART, I2C, USB, BLE, and NFC
  • Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) updates
  • Experience with firmware architecture, device drivers, testing, integration, and verification
  • Familiarity with software development tools such as Jira, Git, GitHub, and BitBucket
  • Working knowledge of IEC 62304, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, and other relevant medical device standards
  • Experience with safety-critical applications and medical devices preferred
  • Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and risk assessment skills
  • Excellent communication, leadership, collaboration, and mentoring abilities
  • Proven ability to lead projects through the full software development lifecycle from architecture through release and maintenance

Benefits

Company-paid Vision and Dental insurance

Discounted Medical insurance

401(k) matching program

Opportunity to work on cutting-edge medical device technologies

Collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment

Exposure to a wide variety of advanced medical device projects

Continuous learning and professional growth opportunities

Leadership and mentorship opportunities within technical teams

High-impact work focused on improving patient outcomes and quality of life

Apply