Firmware Engineer Jobs in California

Firmware Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in consumer electronics, defense systems, semiconductor design, and automotive technology across entry-level through principal engineer roles. The heaviest hiring happens in San Jose, San Diego, and the greater Los Angeles area, where companies like Qualcomm, Apple, and Broadcom maintain deep embedded systems teams. The most in-demand specialties are real-time operating systems, wireless connectivity protocols, and hardware-software integration for edge devices. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Firmware Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles203+
Top employerTesla
Top cityPalo Alto, CA
Cities hiring40
Work type62% On-site
Top industryElectronics

Showing 5 of 203+ Firmware Engineer jobs

VIAVI Solutions
Sr. Firmware Engineer
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VIAVI Solutions
Added 1d ago
Sr. Firmware Engineer
VIAVI Solutions
Calabasas, California
Software Engineering
Firmware Engineering
Embedded Systems Engineering
$97k - $179k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Tesla
Mechanical Engineer, Vehicle & Firmware
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Tesla
Added 2d ago
Mechanical Engineer, Vehicle & Firmware
Tesla
Palo Alto, California
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
$92k - $196k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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iRhythm Technologies
Firmware Quality Assurance Engineer Co-Op Intern Full Time January-JuneEngineer
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iRhythm Technologies
Added 3d ago
Firmware Quality Assurance Engineer Co-Op Intern Full Time January-JuneEngineer
iRhythm Technologies
San Francisco, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$25 - $35/hr
Hybrid
1,001-5,000

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Samsara
Firmware Engineer Co-Op
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Samsara
Added 3d ago
Firmware Engineer Co-Op
Samsara
San Francisco, California
Cloud & DevOps
Cloud Engineering
DevOps
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
$38 - $58/hr
Hybrid
1,001-5,000

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Apple
Firmware Engineer - HID Bluetooth
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Apple
Added 4d ago
Firmware Engineer - HID Bluetooth
Apple
Cupertino, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
$129k - $195k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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See All 203+ Firmware Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Firmware Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Palo Alto
27 jobs
Cupertino
15 jobs
Costa Mesa
11 jobs
Los Angeles
7 jobs
Irvine
6 jobs

Firmware Engineer Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Tesla
    Tesla19
  • Apple
    Apple16
  • Anduril
    Anduril12
  • Qualcomm
    Qualcomm11
  • Also
    Also5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Electronics & Hardware21
  • Technology & Software15
  • Science & Research6
  • Manufacturing5
  • Consulting & Professional Services5

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in firmware engineer jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science required
  • Proficiency in C and C++ for embedded and low-level systems development
  • Experience with real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS or VxWorks
  • Hands-on debugging using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG interfaces
  • Familiarity with communication protocols including I2C, SPI, UART, and CAN
  • Experience with version control systems and embedded software development lifecycles

Firmware Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a firmware engineer in California?

Most firmware engineers in California enter the field with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science from a California university or college. California does not require a state-issued license to work as a firmware engineer. Employers typically expect hands-on experience with embedded systems through coursework, senior design projects, or internships, and many California hiring managers place significant weight on a demonstrable project portfolio alongside your degree.

Which companies hire firmware engineers in California?

Employers hiring firmware engineers in California right now include Tesla, Apple, and Anduril, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of semiconductor, defense, and consumer electronics headquarters means demand is particularly consistent across the San Jose, San Diego, and Los Angeles corridors.

Which California cities have the most firmware engineer jobs?

Palo Alto, San Francisco, and San Diego have the most firmware engineer openings in California. San Jose sits at the center of semiconductor and consumer electronics activity, while San Diego is driven by its large defense contractor and wireless technology base, and Los Angeles draws demand from aerospace firms and the growing hardware startup ecosystem in the region.

Are there remote firmware engineer jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Firmware engineering is a hands-on discipline that typically requires access to physical hardware, lab equipment, and test benches, which limits full-time remote work. About 38% of firmware engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those roles tend to concentrate in architecture review, code review, and documentation-heavy positions rather than active bring-up or debugging work.

How can I get hired as a firmware engineer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate or associate firmware engineer role at a California company with structured onboarding, where you work alongside senior engineers on defined subsystems. Companies like Qualcomm, Broadcom, and several San Diego defense contractors run university-hire and early-career programs that target candidates from California engineering programs. Building a portfolio of embedded projects using development boards, contributing to open-source firmware, or completing a capstone project with real hardware gives you a concrete edge when competing against other entry-level applicants.

Where can I find and apply to firmware engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to firmware engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across the state's major hiring metros and industries. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 203+ Firmware Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Firmware Engineer Jobs