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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$113K - $142K *

Engineer innovative electrical designs for modular data centers, ensuring compliance and performance across international standards. Collaborate with teams to deliver hands-on solutions from concept t...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $140K *

Pioneer innovative electrical design solutions while leading projects from concept to completion. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure compliance and efficiency, mentoring junior engine...

Ottawa, ONRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$250K - $300K *

Join a team that's shaping the brand and product experience. You'll create visually compelling designs, develop marketing materials, and collaborate with engineers to enhance our product in a fast-pac...

Mexico, MORemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $195K *

Drive innovation by developing and maintaining Linux kernel features, collaborating with hardware teams, and contributing to the upstream community. Own projects from definition to deployment while me...

Vancouver, BCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$130K - $155K *

Drive the design and development of robotics middleware and frameworks on embedded Linux. Engage in cross-functional collaboration, technical design, and system-level troubleshooting to enhance softwa...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$143K - $238K *

Shape the future of embedded flight software by designing robust solutions for real-time operating systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, document, and maintain critical systems...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Innovate core infrastructure and systems for agent-native applications, ensuring high availability and performance while enabling a culture of developer efficiency and confidence in delivery...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of high-speed analog design by leading layout development for complex analog and mixed-signal IP blocks. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure first-pass silicon success w...

San Jose, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in high-speed analog layout design for cutting-edge optical communication systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure first-pass silicon success while mentoring junior e...

Irvine, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Transform the future of optical communication systems by leading complex analog layout design. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure first-pass silicon success while mentoring junior engin...

Ottawa, ONRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovative software solutions by designing, developing, and testing systems-level software. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet operational specifications and enhance SAP functionali...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$120K - $195K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of PCIe technology, enhancing high-speed communication between hardware components. Collaborate with engineers to optimize performance and reliability in cutting-ed...

Vancouver, BCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$85K - $105K *

Elevate your career by leading electrical design projects, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with clients. This role offers the chance to enhance your expertise while contributing to impac...

Ottawa, ONRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$112K - $150K *

Shape the future of communication technology by providing expert technical support and training to diverse clients. Collaborate with sales and engineering teams to deliver innovative solutions while m...

Phoenix, AZRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $200K *

Transform complex engineering projects by leading a team of specialists in BAS and EPMS designs for critical data center sectors, ensuring high quality and timely deliverables while mentoring talent a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Engage as a Design Engineer, bridging design and engineering to create user-centric interfaces. Architect smooth interactions within our platform while implementing a robust design system that enhance...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$150K - $180K *

Transform your career with a pivotal role in physical design, leading complex SoC implementations, optimizing performance, and driving cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful tapeout readi...

San Jose, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$137K - $231K *

Empower your career by shaping design systems that enhance user experience. Collaborate with teams to build high-quality, interactive UI across platforms, ensuring accessibility and performance while...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$151K - $195K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of design engineering by developing innovative systems that enhance user experience across web and mobile platforms. Your expertise will drive quality and perform...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $155K *

Lead the charge in creating cutting-edge embedded software solutions for autonomous mobile robotics. Drive technical excellence, oversee collaborative engineering efforts, and ensure high reliability...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$211K *

Partner with us to drive technical alignment between internal teams and foundries, ensuring seamless adoption of semiconductor processes and timely tape-outs while owning device validation and documen...

San Jose, CARemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$137K - $171K *

Engineer cutting-edge mechanical cooling and hydraulic systems for modular AI data centers. Drive design, integration, and commissioning of innovative solutions, ensuring efficiency and reliability ac...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of ASIC physical design, leading complex SoC implementations, optimizing performance, and ensuring design integrity through collaboration and innovative methodolog...

Irvine, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $230K *

Join a team that's redefining SoC design by owning subsystem development, integrating third-party IP, and optimizing PPA for next-gen architectures. Contribute across all design stages and drive impac...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $130K *

Partner with us to design and implement secure, scalable network solutions. Leverage your expertise in networking technologies to enhance performance and reliability while collaborating with cross-fun...

Chicago, ILRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.