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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$105K - $140K *

Lead the charge in designing and building scalable software solutions, owning features from concept to deployment while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating across teams to enhance payment pro...

CanadaRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$214K - $295K *

Pioneer the development of innovative user experiences across platforms, harnessing deep technical expertise and leadership to enhance product design. Collaborate broadly to drive operational excellen...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Engineer cutting-edge AI evaluation strategies and infrastructure, ensuring quality and reliability across multi-tenant systems. Collaborate with senior teams to enhance product decisions through robu...

Georgia, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$124K - $238K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of spacecraft systems engineering. Leverage your expertise to lead cross-functional teams in developing complex spacecraft designs, ensuring compliance, and drivi...

Palo Alto, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to drive technical vision and operational excellence in cloud-native platforms. Lead engineering efforts, champion security practices, and empower talent while ensuring system stab...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $200K *

Drive technical excellence by designing systems, setting standards, and mentoring engineers without formal management. Collaborate with Product to ensure alignment and tackle engineering challenges ac...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$161K - $299K *

Transform the future of C4I systems as a Systems Engineering Manager, leading design initiatives and managing a team to ensure alignment with customer requirements. Drive modernization efforts through...

Colorado, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $125K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of mobile development by leveraging AI tools to enhance iOS applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, customer-centric marketp...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $130K *

Engineer innovative solutions as you build and scale our platform, collaborating across the tech stack. Contribute to key decisions and shape our engineering culture in a dynamic, fast-paced environme...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$92K - $114K *

Join our dynamic engineering team to design innovative solar PV/BESS projects. Utilize your CAD expertise to create detailed construction drawings and collaborate with cross-functional teams, ensuring...

San Jose, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$93K - $125K *

Join a dynamic team as a technical resource, enhancing enterprise applications and infrastructure services. Drive operational excellence, support cross-functional initiatives, and ensure reliable, sec...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$184K - $356K *

Join a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, collaborating with research and product teams to transform innovative ideas into production-ready services that enhance AI tooling...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $150K *

Innovate AI-driven systems that enhance clinical and operational workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, elevate care delivery, and build scalable infrastructure in...

New York City, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$224K - $431K *

Innovate cutting-edge software for data center power management, spanning architecture, firmware, and AI workloads. Drive product lifecycle from design to deployment, enhancing performance and energy...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $160K *

Join a dynamic team to lead the integration and optimization of cutting-edge coherent DSP optical solutions, collaborating with hyperscale customers and engineering teams to drive product success and...

San Jose, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$254K - $297K *

Elevate customer experiences by diagnosing and resolving complex technical challenges. Contribute directly to product engineering initiatives while collaborating with strategic customers and internal...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $315K *

Create and implement robust security architectures across enterprise, cloud, and infrastructure environments, ensuring compliance with industry standards while guiding security initiatives and influen...

Carlsbad, CARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$152K - $190K *

Develop high-performance networking solutions using Rust for a secure client connector. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance code quality and implement impactful features while addressin...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$101K - $188K *

Drive the innovation of semi- and fully autonomous systems. Engage in research, algorithm development, and optimization to enhance AI and machine learning applications for diverse mission challenges...

Three Rivers, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$138K - $173K *

Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure high-quality software delivery. Lead and mentor a team of engineers while optimizing processes and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous impro...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Engineer high-performance storage solutions for GPU-accelerated compute. Design control-plane services and tooling for Kubernetes workloads, ensuring reliability and scalability across hybrid and air...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $215K *

Empower the engineering team by driving project execution and integration for advanced vehicle development. Ensure alignment of resources, schedules, and technical goals while fostering collaboration...

Huntsville, ALRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$105K - $155K *

Architect robust AI-driven software solutions to enhance remote service tools, ensuring seamless connectivity and compliance with security standards. Collaborate across teams to build scalable applica...

Ann Arbor, MIRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$209K - $273K *

Advance your career by leading a high-performing engineering team, driving strategic execution and operational excellence while ensuring a reliable data platform aligns with enterprise goals and custo...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $160K *

Unlock potential by driving growth in industrial software and PLC solutions. Shape market strategies, build customer relationships, and collaborate with sales teams to enhance market penetration and a...

Round Rock, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 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.