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Staff Firmware Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Staff FPGA/Firmware Engineer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

We are looking for a Staff FPGA/Firmware Engineer to join our rapidly growing team in Irvine, CA. In this role, you will be accountable for the architecture, end-to-end design and verification of ...

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Staff FPGA/Firmware Engineer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

We are looking for a Staff FPGA/Firmware Engineer to join our rapidly growing team in Irvine, CA. In this role, you will be accountable for the architecture, end-to-end design and verification of ...

Please follow the link to apply (select Microchip Recruiter as your source): - US/recruiting/microchiphr/External/job/Staff -Firmware-Engineer_R217-26 The Data Center Solutions Division within ...

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Firmware Engineer

Saint Paul, MN ยท On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Summary We are seeking a creative and detail-oriented Firmware Engineer to join our Global Controls ... Sparrow Company Executive Search & Staffing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Senior Firmware Engineer

Durham, NC ยท On-site

$115K - $152K/yr

Our IT recruiting agencies and staffing companies can help. We help companies that are looking to hire Senior Firmware Engineers for jobs in Durham, North Carolina and in other cities too. Please ...

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Staff Firmware Engineer information

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$75K

$167.4K

$205K

How much do staff firmware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff 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 are Staff Firmware Engineers?

Staff Firmware Engineers are senior-level professionals who design, develop, and maintain the low-level software (firmware) that directly interacts with hardware devices. They play a key role in bridging the gap between hardware and software by writing code that enables hardware components to function as intended. In addition to coding, they often lead technical projects, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust embedded systems. Their expertise is crucial for industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, medical devices, and industrial automation.

What are some typical challenges that Staff Firmware Engineers encounter when working on cross-functional projects?

Staff Firmware Engineers often work closely with hardware, software, and product teams, which can present challenges such as coordinating timelines, aligning technical requirements, and ensuring clear communication across disciplines. Balancing feature development with maintaining firmware stability, especially when hardware specifications evolve, is a common hurdle. Proactively collaborating with other teams and staying adaptable to changes can help ensure project success and smooth integration of firmware with hardware and software components.

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

AspectStaff Firmware EngineerFirmware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related; experience in embedded systemsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and leading firmware projects in embedded systems for hardware productsWriting and testing firmware for embedded devices under supervision or as part of a team
Industry UsageUsed across consumer electronics, IoT, automotive, and industrial sectorsCommonly found in similar industries, often as entry or mid-level roles

The main difference is that a Staff Firmware Engineer typically has more experience, leadership responsibilities, and involvement in complex projects, while a Firmware Engineer focuses on developing firmware under guidance. Both roles require similar technical skills and industry knowledge, but the Staff level emphasizes project leadership and advanced problem-solving.

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

To thrive as a Staff Firmware Engineer, you need deep expertise in embedded systems, C/C++ programming, and a solid background in computer engineering or related fields. Familiarity with microcontroller architectures, RTOS, debugging tools, and version control systems like Git is typically required, along with certifications such as Certified Embedded Systems Engineer being advantageous. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and effective communication skills help engineers collaborate across hardware and software teams while mentoring junior engineers. These skills are critical for delivering reliable, high-performance firmware solutions that meet project requirements and drive innovation.
More about Staff Firmware Engineer jobs
What states have the most Staff Firmware Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Staff Firmware Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Staff Firmware Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Staff Firmware Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Staff Firmware Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,438 per year, or $80.5 per hour.
Staff FPGA/Firmware Engineer

Staff FPGA/Firmware Engineer

Turion Space

Irvine, CA โ€ข On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Be an early applicant


Job description

Turion Space is building spacecraft for national security and in-space operations. From debris removal to space domain awareness to building a more secure space economy, we are a team focused on getting real hardware to orbit fast and scaling capability.

We are looking for a Staff FPGA/Firmware Engineer to join our rapidly growing team in Irvine, CA. In this role, you will be accountable for the architecture, end-to-end design and verification of projects FPGA/SOC systems. This will require expertise and/or familiarity with: HDL, firmware, and low-level Linux.
This is a full-time, exempt position based on-site at our Irvine, California headquarters.

Responsibilities

  • Own development of HDL and firmware on custom FPGA, FPGA SoC and low-level embedded systems

  • Provide early guidance and input on architecture decision for subsystem and vehicle-level architectures

  • Define requirements and processes to ensure traceability and progress tracking

  • Develop custom HDL modules for FPGA systems (focus on high speed data movement and handling)

  • Design firmware for soft cores (MicroBlaze, RISC-V, etc.) platforms to interface with FPGA fabric and peripherals

  • Create custom HDL to interface with SoC hard cores, drivers and corresponding custom firmware.

  • Work with electrical engineers and others to support the bring-up of custom hardware

  • Lead verification of HDL and firmware to ensure flight-readiness

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience developing firmware, or, HDL for FPGAs in a professional environment

  • Bachelorโ€™s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field

  • Demonstrated work in RTL design using VHDL, Verilog, and/or SystemVerilog

  • Proficiency with FPGA design tools (Xilinx Vivado, Microchip Libero, or similar)

  • Experience developing firmware in bare-metal or RTOS environments

  • Experience developing embedded systems using C/C++

  • Strong understanding of digital design and embedded systems principles

  • Ability to obtain a Secret and/or TS/SCI security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with high-level synthesis (HLS) tools (e.g. Xilinx Vitis HLS, MATLAB FPGA generator)

  • Experience with FPGA verification techniques (formal verification, UVM, SystemVerilog assertions)

  • Familiarity with Xilinx Ultrascale, Zynq MPSoC, Versal, and/or Microchip PolarFire platforms

  • Proficiency working with firmware development tools such as JLink, Keil, IAR, or GCC

  • Experience with FreeRTOS and embedded Linux.

  • Strong understanding of FPGA timing, floor planning, and clock domain crossing best practices

  • Experience with AMBA bus architectures (AXI, AHB, APB) and custom AXI IP design

  • Experience with high-speed serial interfaces (GbE, PCIe, Aurora, LVDS) and low-speed interfaces (RS422, UART, I2C, SPI)

  • Familiarity with RAM architectures, efficient buffering techniques, and FLASH interfaces (ONFi)

  • Experience with image sensors and camera systems

Staff FPGA Engineer / Staff Firmware Engineer: $175,000 โ€“ $225,000 USD.

ITAR Requirements:

This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. ยง 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. ยง 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:

  • Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success

  • Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

  • Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan with a 3% Employer Direct Contribution to help you plan for your future.

  • Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.

  • Parental Leave: Paid parental leave following the birth of a newborn or adoption.

  • Emotional Wellbeing: A no-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your householdโ€™s emotional health and wellbeing.

  • Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing internal training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.

  • Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment.


We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual.

Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Compensation Range: $175K - $225K