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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$120K - $145K *

Elevate software engineering excellence by leading the design, development, and integration of advanced avionics systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and drive innovat...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $190K *

Lead the charge in RF hardware systems engineering, driving product development and team mentorship while ensuring seamless integration across engineering disciplines and delivering high-quality speci...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$145K - $219K *

Lead the charge in developing and optimizing manufacturing processes for advanced unmanned aircraft systems, ensuring seamless transition from prototype to high-volume production while collaborating c...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$95K - $110K *

Drive project success by managing engineering initiatives from kickoff to delivery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality, budget, and timelines are met while maintaining strong co...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop innovative high-speed amplifiers, ensuring product reliability and market readiness while addressing customer needs and business goals through effect...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$88K - $105K *

Contribute to innovative electrical control panel designs for industrial applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, enhance efficiency, and deliver high-quality soluti...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Tackle complex system administration tasks while leveraging your expertise in Linux and automation tools. Collaborate with teams to enhance monitoring and metrics, ensuring optimal performance and rel...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$106K - $159K *

Engineer innovative mechanical designs for cardiac electrophysiology devices, driving product development from concept to manufacturing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance patient care...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$82K - $114K *

Join a team that's optimizing logistics solutions to enhance Amazon's Delivery Station Network. You'll design, develop, and standardize building layouts, driving efficiency and productivity across ope...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$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

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$96K - $160K *

Advance the future of digital and mixed signal ASICs by driving architecture development, RTL design, and verification. Collaborate with teams to innovate and enhance product performance in a dynamic...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by driving the design and validation of embedded avionics software, collaborating across teams to ensure high-quality, compliant products that meet market needs and enhance functional...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$68K - $102K *

Join a team that's dedicated to engineering excellence, ensuring technical accuracy and quality compliance in design and documentation. Collaborate across functions to drive project success and suppor...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Drive your career with a pivotal role in systems engineering, bridging design and compliance teams to select cutting-edge technologies for military-grade products, ensuring high performance and reliab...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Lead the selection of advanced electronics technologies, bridging design and compliance engineering to ensure high-performance product development for military applications...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $165K *

Deliver innovative software solutions for cabin systems, enhancing user experience across multiple platforms. Collaborate through all product development stages, ensuring quality and functionality in...

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Join a team that's driving the execution of innovative software projects. You'll manage delivery planning, collaborate with engineering teams, and ensure successful product launches while navigating c...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Join a dynamic team to design and deliver cutting-edge software for datacenter solutions. Take ownership of projects from firmware to validation, collaborating with experts in a fast-paced environment...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $165K *

Transform advanced X-in-the-Loop testing to validate Assisted & Automated Driving features, ensuring compliance and driving innovation through real-time simulation solutions and collaborative engineer...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Engage in hands-on deployments of cutting-edge systems for maritime missions. Leverage your expertise integrating mechanical and electrical components while troubleshooting and evolving hardware desig...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Unlock your potential as a Principal PCB Layout Design Engineer, collaborating across disciplines to deliver high-reliability circuit card assemblies for aerospace and defense applications. Drive inno...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$110K - $130K *

Transform complex systems through expert Linux administration and automation. Engage in hands-on tasks while leveraging Python and C to enhance operational efficiency. Collaborate with teams to optimi...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $276K *

Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver complex in-flight entertainment and connectivity solutions. Drive project execution from design to certification, ensuring alignment with technical...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$165K - $276K *

Champion the engineering execution of complex in-flight entertainment and connectivity projects. Lead multidisciplinary teams, develop strategies, and ensure technical solutions meet customer and qual...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Unlock your potential as a Principal PCB Layout Design Engineer, collaborating across disciplines to deliver high-reliability circuit card assemblies for aerospace and defense applications. Drive inno...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

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.