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Startup Firmware Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wild West Systems Inc.

Firmware Engineer

Leander, TX · On-site

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite -Leander, TX Type ... About Wild West Systems Wild West Systems is a defense technology startup redefining autonomous ...

Wild West Systems Inc.

Firmware Engineer

Leander, TX · On-site

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone SystemsLocation: Onsite -Leander, TXType: Full ... About Wild West SystemsWild West Systems is a defense technology startup redefining autonomous edge ...

Wild West Systems Inc.

Firmware Engineer

Leander, TX · On-site

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite -Leander, TX Type ... About Wild West Systems Wild West Systems is a defense technology startup redefining autonomous ...

Socket.dev

Firmware Engineer

Leander, TX · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite -Leander, TX Type ... About Wild West Systems Wild West Systems is a defense technology startup redefining autonomous ...

Wild West Systems Inc.

Firmware Engineer

Leander, TX · On-site

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite -Leander, TX Type ... About Wild West Systems Wild West Systems is a defense technology startup redefining autonomous ...

Wild West Systems Inc.

Firmware Engineer

Leander, TX · On-site

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems Location: Onsite -Leander, TX Type ... About Wild West Systems Wild West Systems is a defense technology startup redefining autonomous ...

Wild West Systems Inc.

Firmware Engineer

Leander, TX · On-site

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone SystemsLocation: Onsite -Leander, TXType: Full ... About Wild West SystemsWild West Systems is a defense technology startup redefining autonomous edge ...

Mesh Optical Technologies

Firmware Engineer

Gardena, CA

$140K - $170K/yr

FIRMWARE ENGINEER Mesh Optical Technologies was founded on the belief that optical photons will be ... Design robust boot, initialization, and fail-safe mechanisms, ensuring reliable startup and ...

Mesh Optical Technologies

Firmware Engineer

Gardena, CA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

FIRMWARE ENGINEER Mesh Optical Technologies was founded on the belief that optical photons will be ... Design robust boot, initialization, and fail-safe mechanisms, ensuring reliable startup and ...

Afference

Firmware Engineer

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$113.50 - $170.25/hr

What You'll Be Doing The Firmware Engineer is responsible for the design, development, testing, and ... Work in a close-knit, startup environment . We strive to create an intellectually stimulating and ...

Tacit

Senior Firmware Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

About Tacit We are an early-stage, deep tech startup based in San Francisco, developing innovative ... About the role We're looking for a Senior Firmware Engineer to help architect, develop, and ship ...

Tacit

Senior Firmware Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $210K/yr

About Tacit We are an early-stage, deep tech startup based in San Francisco, developing innovative ... About the role We're looking for a Senior Firmware Engineer to help architect, develop, and ship ...

Molg

Firmware Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

As a Firmware Engineer, you will: * Design, develop, and maintain firmware for embedded systems ... As a growing company and startup, priorities may shift as customer or business requirements change.

Apple

Firmware Engineer - HID Bluetooth

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Our team is a vibrant group of creative, driven, and passionate firmware engineers powering the ... startup routines for system bring-up Proficient in firmware architecture, debugging tools (JTAG ...

Sweep360

Firmware Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$220K/yr

DR - We're building humanity's defense layer for the AI age and are looking for a Firmware Engineer ... Thrived in an early-stage startup. * Comfortable operating without perfect specs or complete ...

Sweep360

Firmware Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$198 - $242/hr

DR - We're building humanity's defense layer for the AI age and are looking for a Firmware Engineer ... Thrived in an early-stage startup. * Comfortable operating without perfect specs or complete ...

Apple

Firmware Engineer - HID Bluetooth

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Our team is a vibrant group of creative, driven, and passionate firmware engineers powering the ... startup routines for system bring-up Proficient in firmware architecture, debugging tools (JTAG ...

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All JobsStartup Firmware Engineer Jobs

Startup Firmware Engineer information

See salary details

$75K

$167.4K

$205K

How much do startup firmware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for startup 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 a startup firmware engineer?

Startup Firmware Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test low-level software—known as firmware—that controls hardware devices in new or early-stage companies. Their work involves programming microcontrollers, optimizing device performance, and ensuring hardware-software integration. At startups, they often wear multiple hats, collaborating closely with hardware engineers, product teams, and sometimes even customers to build innovative products quickly. They must be adaptable, comfortable with fast-paced environments, and skilled in troubleshooting and debugging embedded systems. Startup Firmware Engineers play a key role in bringing new hardware products to market.

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

To thrive as a Startup Firmware Engineer, you need a strong background in embedded systems programming, C/C++ proficiency, and a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with microcontroller architectures, debugging tools (like JTAG), and version control systems such as Git is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and effective communication stand out as vital soft skills, especially in dynamic startup environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for rapidly iterating on prototypes, collaborating across teams, and delivering robust firmware solutions under tight deadlines.

What are some common challenges a startup firmware engineer might face, and how can they be addressed?

As a Startup Firmware Engineer, you may encounter challenges such as limited resources, rapidly changing priorities, and tight development timelines. It's common to work with hardware prototypes that may be unstable or incomplete, requiring frequent collaboration with hardware and software teams to troubleshoot issues. Adapting quickly, being comfortable with ambiguity, and maintaining clear communication are essential for success. Proactively seeking feedback and staying flexible will help you navigate the fast-paced startup environment effectively.

What is the difference between Startup Firmware Engineer vs Embedded Software Developer?

AspectStartup Firmware EngineerEmbedded Software Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related; knowledge of embedded systemsBachelor's in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related; experience with embedded programming
Work EnvironmentStartups, small teams, hardware-focused projectsVaried industries, hardware and software integration, R&D labs
Industry UsageCommon in IoT, consumer electronics, robotics startupsUsed across automotive, medical devices, industrial automation
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for firmware development roles in startupsRelated but broader embedded software roles

The Startup Firmware Engineer focuses on developing firmware specifically for startup projects, often with limited resources and rapid iteration. Embedded Software Developers have a broader scope, working on embedded systems across various industries. While both roles require similar technical skills, the startup role emphasizes agility and hardware integration in early-stage companies.

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Startup Firmware Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Startup Firmware Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,438 per year, or $80.5 per hour.

Firmware Engineer

Wild West Systems Inc.

Leander, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

This job post has expired 3 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Firmware Engineer - Autonomous Weapons & Drone Systems
Location: Onsite -Leander, TX
Type: Full-Time
Eligibility: U.S. Citizenship or ITAR-Eligible Status Required
Build the intelligence behind the frontier of defense.
Wild West Systems designs and builds autonomous drones and munitions for America and her allies - fast, affordable, and battle-ready. As a Firmware Engineer, you'll develop embedded systems on STM32 Microcontrollers that drives our autonomous platforms: from flight control and perception to mission planning and target engagement.
If you crave ownership, speed, and tangible results, this is where firmware meets steel.
About Wild West Systems
Wild West Systems is a defense technology startup redefining autonomous edge defense through modular, AI-powered weapon systems - designed, built, and launched in the USA.
We fuse domain mastery with creativity to deliver advanced capabilities for modern asymmetric warfare. We move fast, build hard, and engineer for real-world impact.
If you're ready to build software that commands machines defending tomorrow's freedom, welcome to the frontier.
Responsibilities
  • Develop embedded systems on STM32 microcontrollers
  • Low level driver development, peripherals, communication protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, CAN) and real time systems design
  • Comfortable working in the intersection of electronics, sensors, actuators, motor control and embedded software
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
  • 3+ years of professional Firmware engineering experience.
  • Solid Mechatronics background
  • Experience developing production-quality firmware in Rust.
  • Troubleshooting hardware/software interactions
  • ITAR Eligibility: 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 9 U.S.C section 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C section 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in defense, aerospace, robotics, or autonomy.
  • Familiarity with drone/UAV systems, real-time operating systems, or embedded development.
  • Experience at a high-growth startup or technology company with strong engineering practices.
  • Experience taking systems from prototype through deployment

Benefits / Compensation Overview
We are always looking for good people! Wild West Systems is committed to providing its satisfaction and productivity.
  • Bi-weekly pay schedule
  • Stock Options provided with every offer
  • Healthcare insurance premium paid at 100% for every employee, 90% for dependents
  • Vision and Dental premium paid at 100%
  • Life Insurance

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