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Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

BlackStar

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$220K - $250K/yr

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer (Safety-Critical Systems) Location: San Francisco, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Washington, DC Training Requirement: Candidates must complete an initial 1-month onsite ...

Kapta Space

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$117K - $160K/yr

Kapta Space is seeking a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer to lead the complete lifecycle development, including development, testing, and support of the radar operation, data collection, storage and ...

Kapta Space

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$117K - $160K/yr

Kapta Space is seeking a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer to lead the complete lifecycle development, including development, testing, and support of the radar operation, data collection, storage and ...

Kapta Space

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$117K - $160K/yr

Kapta Space is seeking a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer to lead the complete lifecycle development, including development, testing, and support of the radar operation, data collection, storage and ...

Kapta Space

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$117K - $160K/yr

Kapta Space is seeking a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer to lead the complete lifecycle development, including development, testing, and support of the radar operation, data collection, storage and ...

PlayStation

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$136K - $180K/yr

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer We are building a small team of versatile and enthusiastic leaders to create new products for the PlayStation community. Our team recently delivered the new ...

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How much do senior embedded firmware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior embedded firmware engineer in the United States is $140,327.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,500.00 and $158,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

A Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer needs deep expertise in embedded systems design, C/C++ programming, microcontroller architectures, and typically a bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering or computer science. Familiarity with tools such as JTAG debuggers, oscilloscopes, version control systems (like Git), and real-time operating systems (RTOS) is crucial, along with experience in using relevant IDEs and communication protocols (e.g., SPI, I2C, UART). Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, leadership, and clear technical communication help these engineers excel in cross-functional teams and complex projects. These competencies ensure reliable, efficient firmware development and successful product delivery in highly technical environments.

What are some typical challenges a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer might face when working on cross-functional teams?

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineers often collaborate with hardware designers, software developers, and systems engineers to deliver integrated products. A common challenge is ensuring seamless communication between hardware and firmware, as design changes in one can significantly impact the other. Additionally, balancing project deadlines with the need for thorough testing and debugging of low-level code can be demanding. Successful engineers proactively coordinate with team members, participate in design reviews, and advocate for clear documentation to minimize miscommunication and ensure project alignment.

What does a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer do?

A Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer designs, develops, and maintains low-level software (firmware) that runs on hardware devices such as microcontrollers and embedded systems. They are responsible for writing code that interfaces directly with electronic hardware, optimizing system performance, and ensuring reliability and security. In addition to technical development, they often lead projects, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with hardware and software teams to deliver integrated products.

What is the difference between Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer vs Embedded Software Engineer?

AspectSenior Embedded Firmware EngineerEmbedded Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science; experience in firmware developmentBachelor's or higher in Computer Science or related field; programming skills in embedded systems
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and testing firmware for embedded devicesDeveloping software for embedded systems, often in a team environment
Industry UsageElectronics, IoT, automotive, consumer devicesConsumer electronics, industrial automation, IoT

The main difference is that a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer typically has more experience, takes on complex firmware projects, and may lead development efforts, whereas an Embedded Software Engineer focuses on developing embedded software, often at an entry to mid-level experience. Both roles require strong programming skills and knowledge of embedded systems, but the senior role emphasizes leadership and advanced technical expertise.

What cities are hiring for Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Firmware Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Embedded Firmware Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer jobs include:
Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer jobs near you
Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer

BlackStar

Los Angeles, CA

$220K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer (Safety-Critical Systems)

Location: San Francisco, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Washington, DC
Training Requirement: Candidates must complete an initial 1-month onsite training program in Kearneysville, WV before transitioning to their assigned office location.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer to develop firmware for a safety-critical embedded system integrated with advanced aerospace and defense hardware. This role offers end-to-end ownership of firmware development, from board bring-up and driver implementation through qualification, testing, and deployment.

You'll work closely with hardware engineers in a highly collaborative, hands-on environment where rapid iteration, reliability, and testability are essential.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and maintain embedded firmware for ARM Cortex-M or comparable microcontroller platforms
  • Own firmware architecture, including device drivers, state machines, communication interfaces, command handling, and programming workflows
  • Create host-testable firmware and simulation frameworks that enable validation without requiring target hardware
  • Collaborate with hardware engineers on board bring-up, peripheral integration, timing analysis, and debugging
  • Implement and validate communication protocols and peripheral interfaces
  • Support environmental qualification activities, including thermal, EMC, and vibration testing
  • Define and maintain firmware safety requirements, verification strategies, and supporting documentation
  • Contribute to firmware reliability, security, maintainability, and performance improvements

Required Qualifications

  • 5+ years of professional embedded firmware development experience
  • Strong experience with ARM Cortex-M or similar embedded platforms
  • Advanced proficiency in C, C++, or Rust
  • Experience with:
    • Interrupts, DMA, clocks, timers, memory maps, linker scripts, and low-power modes
    • I²C, SPI, UART, and USB communications
    • Hardware debugging using oscilloscopes and logic analyzers
    • State machine design for real-world embedded systems
    • Board bring-up and low-level hardware integration
    • Host-based testing and firmware validation methodologies
  • Professional written and verbal English communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • Embedded Rust experience, including Embassy, embedded-hal, RTIC, defmt, probe-rs, or no_std development
  • Modern embedded C++ (C++17/C++20)
  • Experience with FreeRTOS, Zephyr, or asynchronous embedded architectures
  • Safety-critical firmware development experience (ISO 26262, DO-178C, IEC 61508, or similar)
  • Bootloader, DFU, secure boot, or OTA update implementation
  • UAV, drone, FPV, MAVLink, INAV, or related aerospace systems experience
  • Experience with C FFI or SDK integration

Work Environment

  • Collaborative, hardware-focused engineering culture
  • Frequent interaction with real hardware and rapid development cycles
  • High degree of technical ownership and responsibility
  • Focus on quality, reliability, testability, and safety

Additional Requirements

  • Ability to complete a mandatory 1-month onsite training period in Kearneysville, West Virginia
  • Ability to work onsite from San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Washington, DC following training
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Embedded Firmware Engineer, Senior Firmware Engineer, Embedded Software Engineer, ARM Cortex-M, C, C++, Rust, Embedded Systems, Board Bring-Up, Device Drivers, Real-Time Systems, FreeRTOS, Zephyr, Embedded Rust, Safety-Critical Software, Aerospace, Defense Technology, UART, SPI, I2C, USB, Bootloader, Secure Boot, OTA Updates, Hardware Debugging.