Embedded Software and Firmware Design Engineer Jobs

Explore embedded software and firmware design engineer opportunities on Ladders, featuring vetted professional roles that pay $100,000 or more. These engineers build the software that enables devices and electronic systems to operate reliably, from low-level firmware to real-time applications.

What Embedded Software and Firmware Engineers Do

Embedded engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software that runs on dedicated hardware. Work may include writing firmware, integrating sensors and peripherals, optimizing performance, and troubleshooting software-hardware interactions. Engineers often collaborate with electrical, systems, product, and quality teams to deliver dependable products.

Skills and Technologies

Employers commonly seek experience with C and C++, microcontrollers, embedded Linux or real-time operating systems, device drivers, debugging tools, and hardware interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, and CAN. Depending on the role, valuable strengths may include control systems, secure coding, networking, automated testing, and familiarity with development workflows such as Git and continuous integration.

Industries and Career Paths

Embedded software and firmware design engineers work across sectors including consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, industrial automation, medical devices, telecommunications, and robotics. Career paths can lead to senior or staff engineering positions, firmware or embedded systems architecture, technical leadership, and engineering management.

Find Your Next Embedded Engineering Role

Browse Ladders listings to discover vetted embedded software and firmware design engineer openings with compensation of $100,000 or more. Compare role requirements, technologies, and leadership scope to identify opportunities that match your experience and career goals.

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1
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$162K - $290K *

Drive the development of cutting-edge AI-driven safety solutions, leading firmware and full-stack initiatives. Collaborate across teams to shape technology strategy and deliver impactful products that...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$84K - $90K *

Optimize product development by collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to enhance embedded systems, design software components, and ensure robust operation while addressing technical challenges i...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$155K - $209K *

Drive the future of device software as a hands-on technical lead, overseeing architecture and delivery for a team of firmware engineers. Own critical subsystems, ensuring safety and performance while...

Philadelphia, PARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of OpenBMC firmware development, driving platform bring-up, feature implementation, and integration to enhance system functionality and reliability. Contribute your...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $135K *

Unlock excellence in PCB design and manufacturing by leading DFM initiatives, developing complex multilayer layouts, and shaping best practices across engineering teams to enhance product performance...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Drive your career with a role focused on firmware validation, engaging in test strategy development, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the quality and performance of firmware thr...

Washington, USRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$154K - $260K *

Transform edge AI solutions by leading a talented engineering team. Drive the strategy for embedded systems and machine learning, ensuring impactful deployment of intelligent safety features for real...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$82K - $172K *

Advance your career as an Embedded Linux Software Developer, contributing to the evolution of mission-critical devices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance networking capabilities and d...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $180K *

Drive innovative electrical design solutions for high-density compute environments. Collaborate across teams to ensure compliance with industry standards while mentoring junior engineers. Make a signi...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Advance your career by developing embedded Linux software for mission-critical systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create high-performance solutions for tactical communications on Xili...

Germantown, MDRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Empower innovation as you design complex electrical systems, lead projects, mentor teams, and ensure high-quality deliverables. Collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary teams, utilizing advanced BI...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to design and automate CI/CD infrastructure for medical device software, ensuring compliance and enhancing software delivery processes in a regulated environment...

Waltham, MARemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Champion innovative EBOS design solutions for utility-scale solar projects, ensuring compliance, manufacturability, and cost-efficiency while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating cross-functio...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of Linux development by enhancing a Debian-based distribution. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable platform capabilities for mission-criti...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$224K - $431K *

Champion the advancement of open-source Linux kernel support for NVIDIA GPUs. Collaborate with global teams to develop virtualization features in Rust and C, driving technical proposals and enhancing...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of embedded systems engineering by leading a high-performance team, defining technical roadmaps, and integrating AI-driven workflows to deliver innovative, reliable solutions across d...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$250K - $500K+*

Drive innovation by collaborating with hardware teams to enhance tools, evolve compilers, and improve developer experiences, ensuring efficient and effective hardware design processes...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$108K - $184K *

Design and develop intricate IC substrate layouts, collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize performance, cost, and manufacturability of high-speed ASIC packages while enhancing layout pro...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $165K *

Unlock potential by leading RTL-to-GDSII implementation of high-performance SoCs. Drive advanced FinFET design challenges, optimize PPA, and ensure robust timing closure in a fully remote environment...

Rochester, MNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $165K *

Transform high-performance SoC designs by leading RTL-to-GDSII implementation, optimizing PPA, and overcoming advanced FinFET challenges. Drive physical design from synthesis to signoff, ensuring robu...

Chandler, AZRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $165K *

Lead the charge in advanced FinFET physical design, driving RTL-to-GDSII implementation for high-performance SoCs. Collaborate on timing closure and optimization, utilizing cutting-edge tools to push...

Hillsboro, ORRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $165K *

Transform high-performance SoC designs by leading RTL-to-GDSII implementation, tackling advanced FinFET challenges, and driving timing closure for optimal Power, Performance, and Area (PPA) at the Glo...

San Jose, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $165K *

Optimize high-performance SoC designs by leading RTL-to-GDSII implementation, tackling advanced FinFET challenges, and driving timing closure for cutting-edge technology nodes...

Fort Collins, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $165K *

Transform high-performance SoC designs as a Senior Physical Design Engineer, leading RTL-to-GDSII implementation, optimizing PPA, and driving timing closure on advanced FinFET nodes. Collaborate on in...

Burlington, VTRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $165K *

Drive advanced RTL-to-GDSII physical design for high-performance SoCs, tackling FinFET challenges and optimizing Power, Performance, and Area (PPA) metrics while ensuring robust timing closure and phy...

Raleigh, NCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does an embedded software or firmware design engineer do?question toggle

    They develop and maintain software that runs on dedicated hardware, including firmware, device drivers, and real-time applications. Their work often involves integrating hardware components, testing system behavior, and improving reliability and performance.

  • What qualifications are common for embedded software and firmware engineer jobs?question toggle

    Many roles seek a degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field, along with practical embedded development experience. Requirements vary by employer and may emphasize C or C++, microcontrollers, RTOS, embedded Linux, debugging, and hardware interfaces.

  • Which programming languages and tools are used in embedded engineering?question toggle

    C and C++ are widely used, with some roles also using Python, Rust, or scripting languages. Common tools and technologies include microcontroller development environments, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG debuggers, Git, and automated test systems.

  • What industries hire embedded software and firmware design engineers?question toggle

    Hiring industries include automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, industrial automation, medical devices, telecommunications, energy, and robotics.

  • How can I find embedded software and firmware design engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Search Ladders for vetted professional openings and review each listing’s compensation, experience requirements, technologies, and responsibilities. Job availability and salary depend on the employer, location, and seniority.