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Senior Firmware Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA

$122K - $162K/yr

Senior Firmware Engineer Herndon, Virginia, USA 140000-210000 We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our Research and Development Division ...

Posted today

Senior Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$140K - $210K/yr

Job Title Senior Firmware Engineer Location Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary) Fibertek, Inc. is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key ...

Senior Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$140K - $210K/yr

We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our Research and Development Division in Herndon VA. As part of our R&D division, you would join ...

Sr. FPGA Engineer II

Chantilly, VA

$133K - $171K/yr

SENIOR FPGA ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain ... YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS FIRMWARE ENGINEER II: * Bachelor's degree in computer ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$106K - $146K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Systems Engineer to work across the engineering organization (firmware, hardware, mobile, backend, and data science) as the connective tissue that keeps a complex, multi ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Firmware Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$91.7K

$158.9K

$223.1K

How much do senior firmware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior firmware engineer in Washington is $158,933.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,300.00 and $179,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior firmware engineer?

Senior Firmware Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and maintain the low-level software (firmware) that enables hardware devices to function correctly. They typically work with embedded systems, programming microcontrollers or processors using languages like C or C++. In addition to writing and debugging code, they often lead projects, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate closely with hardware and software teams to ensure seamless integration and optimal device performance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior firmware engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Firmware Engineer, you need deep expertise in embedded systems, strong coding skills in C/C++ or similar languages, and a degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with hardware debugging tools, version control systems like Git, and real-time operating systems (RTOS) is typically required, along with relevant certifications such as Certified Embedded Systems Engineer. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set top performers apart. These competencies ensure robust firmware development, seamless hardware-software integration, and successful collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.

What are the most common challenges faced by senior firmware engineers when collaborating with hardware teams?

Senior Firmware Engineers often work closely with hardware teams to ensure seamless integration of software and hardware components. One common challenge is managing communication gaps due to differing technical languages and priorities between software and hardware disciplines. Additionally, hardware prototypes may evolve rapidly, requiring firmware engineers to adapt code frequently, troubleshoot unexpected behavior, and adjust to shifting specifications. Building strong cross-functional relationships and maintaining clear, frequent communication helps address these challenges and ensures project success.

How much money does a senior firmware engineer make?

A senior firmware engineer typically earns between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often work with embedded systems, real-time operating systems, and programming languages like C and C++.

What does a senior firmware engineer do?

A senior firmware engineer designs, develops, and tests low-level software that controls hardware devices. They often work with embedded systems, use programming languages like C or C++, and collaborate with hardware engineers to ensure proper functionality and performance. This role typically requires strong problem-solving skills and experience with debugging tools and real-time operating systems.

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

The most popular types of Firmware Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Firmware Engineer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Firmware Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Senior Firmware Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Senior Firmware Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Firmware Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,933 per year, or $76.4 per hour.

Sr. Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA

$122K - $162K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 hours ago

Posted today


Job description

Senior Firmware Engineer
Herndon, Virginia, USA
140000-210000
Job Description
We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our Research and Development Division in Herndon VA. 
As part of our R&D division, you would join our firmware team to develop, integrate, and test our firmware products in our spaced-based, electro-optical systems. 
Essential Job Duties 
Lead and contribute to firmware architecture and implementation for space-based electro-optical payloads and laser systems 
Perform end-to-end firmware development lifecycle: from requirements analysis through design, coding, simulation, verification, and validation 
Collaborate closely with hardware, systems, software, and optical engineers in cross-functional teams to define interfaces, resolve design issues, and ensure seamless system integration 
Participate in task-based iterative development cycles, incorporating rapid feedback, frequent integration points, and incremental testing to meet mission reliability goals 
Conduct lab-based debugging, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and system-level validation using diagnostic tools and protocols 
Support peer code reviews, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement of development processes and best practices 
Apply high-reliability and space-grade techniques (e.g., fault tolerance, radiation mitigation) in a collaborative, team-oriented environment Contribute to documentation, design reviews, and risk identification throughout the product lifecycle 
 
Job Requirements
Experience and Expertise Required 7+ years relevant experience BS/MS in EE or equivalent Expertise with firmware engineering, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing) Expertise with Digital Signal Processing, precision timing, optical comms (modems), LIDAR Experience with Xilinx, Microchip, and Lattice FPGAs and their associated development tools Experience developing test benches and running simulations to exercise the design and to verify compliance Experience interfacing and working with hardware designers during development, integration, and test phases Experience using schematics and block diagrams as inputs for firmware design Experience in high-speed serial links: GTY/GTM, JESD204B/C, Ethernet, SpaceWire Experience in standard peripheral interfaces: SPI, I2C, UART, LVDS, etc. Experience in memory interfaces: DDR3/4, QDR, FRAM, etc. Experience with GitHub, CI/CD for FPGA flows, code reviews, automated linting, synthesis, regression testing, timing closure, bitstream generation, release tagging 
Bonus Areas Experience in Python for build/testing automation and data analysis Experience with Linux, scripting, Docker containers, and automation Experience developing Hi-Rel/Space programs and TMR coding Experience developing code (C, C++) for microcontrollers Experience with VS Code
We are a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key contributions to lasers for atmospheric sensing, laser communications, and lidar sensors for NASA, DoD, and commercial customers.
Qualifications
Job Requirements
Experience and Expertise Required 7+ years relevant experience BS/MS in EE or equivalent Expertise with firmware engineering, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing) Expertise with Digital Signal Processing, precision timing, optical comms (modems), LIDAR Experience with Xilinx, Microchip, and Lattice FPGAs and their associated development tools Experience developing test benches and running simulations to exercise the design and to verify compliance Experience interfacing and working with hardware designers during development, integration, and test phases Experience using schematics and block diagrams as inputs for firmware design Experience in high-speed serial links: GTY/GTM, JESD204B/C, Ethernet, SpaceWire Experience in standard peripheral interfaces: SPI, I2C, UART, LVDS, etc. Experience in memory interfaces: DDR3/4, QDR, FRAM, etc. Experience with GitHub, CI/CD for FPGA flows, code reviews, automated linting, synthesis, regression testing, timing closure, bitstream generation, release tagging 
Bonus Areas Experience in Python for build/testing automation and data analysis Experience with Linux, scripting, Docker containers, and automation Experience developing Hi-Rel/Space programs and TMR coding Experience developing code (C, C++) for microcontrollers Experience with VS Code
We are a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key contributions to lasers for atmospheric sensing, laser communications, and lidar sensors for NASA, DoD, and commercial customers.
Why is This a Great Opportunity
We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our Research and Development Division in Herndon VA. 
As part of our R&D division, you would join our firmware team to develop, integrate, and test our firmware products in our spaced-based, electro-optical systems.