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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$120K - $185K *

Champion digital transformation by leading cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, validation, and operational excellence in IT services. Drive strategic technology initiatives that align with bu...

North Carolina, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Empower your career with senior-level expertise in data architecture and warehousing. Drive data integration and management, ensuring effective solutions for Occupational Environmental Health practice...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$170K - $175K *

Champion innovative structural design for mission-critical data centers, focusing on prefabricated and modular construction. Lead technical strategy, establish design standards, and ensure safety and...

Denver, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $143K *

Lead logistics and inventory management ensuring timely delivery of materials. Collaborate with teams for optimal material readiness and quality standards while enhancing supply chain processes and ex...

Missouri, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$95K - $143K *

Optimize logistics and inventory management processes to ensure timely delivery of materials and components for successful project execution, fostering collaboration across teams and maintaining high...

Missouri, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$90K - $115K *

Deliver expert-level service on CT, MR, and X-ray equipment, ensuring optimal performance through preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and emergency repairs across healthcare facilities in a multi...

North Carolina, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$210K - $247K *

Elevate application security by leading initiatives and shaping best practices across multiple programming languages, while collaborating with engineering teams to ensure that security is integrated a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $190K *

Join a team that's shaping innovative software solutions while mentoring junior engineers. Lead development efforts, enhance product performance, and collaborate in a dynamic environment focused on gr...

Georgia, USRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$149K - $256K *

Lead the technical strategy for complex global opportunities, collaborating with sales teams to develop tailored solutions. Drive technical discovery, architecture design, and customer engagement to e...

California, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $155K *

Shape the future of AI-driven database technology by tackling complex challenges. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance our virtualization platform and drive innovation in data management...

Menlo Park, CARemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's redefining enterprise asset management by architecting innovative solutions on the IBM Maximo platform. Leverage your expertise to enhance facility maintenance operations and drive...

Fort Campbell, KYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$165K - $175K *

Join a dynamic engineering team as a Senior Technical Advisor, providing strategic guidance on emerging technologies and systems integration while supporting Agile program execution and modernization...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Transform client challenges into innovative AI solutions. Collaborate with teams to design, build, and deploy production-quality software, ensuring reliable AI applications that deliver measurable imp...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $190K *

Drive innovative detection solutions in a high-security environment, collaborating across teams to enhance security posture and engineering excellence while tackling emerging cyber threats with precis...

Denver, CORemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$130K - $170K *

Shape the future of capital projects by leading multi-discipline teams to deliver complex design packages, ensuring quality and client satisfaction across diverse sectors including healthcare and gove...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$112K - $193K *

Empower a dynamic engineering team to architect and deliver innovative web solutions, driving AI integration and enhancing user experiences while managing project timelines and budgets effectively...

Hartford, CTRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Create meaningful product experiences by designing intuitive solutions that connect creators and fans. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address complex challenges and enhance user engagement...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$107K - $190K *

Join a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge software for advanced atomic force microscopes. Lead algorithm design and implementation, transforming complex data into actionable insights while collabora...

Santa Barbara, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$160K - $220K *

Elevate your career by leading AI-driven software delivery transformations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify bottlenecks, design innovative solutions, and enhance product lifecycle...

Atlanta, GARemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$195K - $254K *

Lead the technical development and architecture of advanced RF power amplifiers for cellular and Wi-Fi applications, guiding cross-functional teams to optimize performance, cost, and manufacturability...

Arlington Heights, ILRemote

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $150K *

Transform the DevOps landscape by leading infrastructure automation, fostering collaboration, and championing best practices across teams, ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient cloud solutions that...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$177K - $364K *

Unlock your potential by driving automated traffic management and shaping rate limiting platforms, while leading collaboration across vendors and mentoring engineers to enhance performance in Edge sys...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in shaping a new Technical Program Management team, guiding TPMs to deliver impactful results while fostering collaboration across Engineering and Product. Drive strategic planning and...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$180K - $240K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI by architecting robust systems that integrate foundational models. Drive innovative solutions in a fast-paced lab, translating business needs into scalable...

Ontario, CARemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Join a team dedicated to building innovative backend solutions in Python. Take ownership of features, optimize data flows, and contribute to architectural decisions that enhance a powerful platform, a...

Houston, TXRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

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.