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.
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Summary
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace, and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications.
We are the people behind the products that help keep the world connected at home, school, work, at play, and everywhere in between. VIAVI employees are passionate about supporting customer success and we welcome people who bring their best every day to the company – to question, to collaborate and to push for solutions that will delight our customers.
Duties & Responsibilities:
We are seeking an experienced Sr. Firmware Engineer to join our team at Viavi Solutions Inc. In this role, you will be responsible for the design, development, and debugging of embedded firmware for our innovative network test and measurement products.
Job Responsibilities
- Analyzes, designs, programs, debugs and modifies software.
- Troubleshoots code for firmware (IC embedded code) applications.
- Work often involves analog and digital hardware and software operating systems.
- Position requires knowledge and exposure to hardware design.
- Typically programs in machine language, assembly language and high-level languages (e.g., C, C++).
- Design, develop, and maintain high-quality firmware for embedded systems, including microcontrollers and FPGAs.
- Lead the architecture and implementation of new firmware features and functionalities, from concept to production.
- Collaborate with hardware engineers, software engineers, and product management to define specifications and ensure seamless integration.
- Perform thorough debugging, testing, and validation of firmware to ensure reliability, performance, and adherence to requirements.
- Develop and execute unit tests, integration tests, and system tests for firmware components.
- Participate in code reviews to maintain code quality and share knowledge within the team.
- Write comprehensive technical documentation, including design specifications, test plans, and release notes.
- Support existing products, troubleshoot field issues, and implement bug fixes as needed.
- Stay current with emerging technologies and industry best practices in embedded systems and firmware development.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in embedded firmware development.
- Expert proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems.
- Strong experience with various microcontrollers (e.g., ARM Cortex-M/R/A, PIC, AVR) and their peripheral interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, USB, Ethernet, CAN).
- Demonstrated experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) such as FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or similar.
- Familiarity with hardware-software co-design and debugging tools (e.g., oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, in-circuit debuggers).
- Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git).
- Solid understanding of communication protocols and networking concepts (e.g., TCP/IP, Ethernet).
- Ability to read and interpret hardware schematics and datasheets.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python) for automation and testing is a plus.
- Knowledge of FPGA development (VHDL/Verilog) is a plus.
Pre-Requisites / Skills / Experience Requirements:
If you have what it takes to push boundaries and seize opportunities, apply to join our team today.
VIAVI Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer – minorities/females/veterans/persons with disabilities.
Job Posting Pay Range:
96,600 to 179,400
Exceptional qualifications, experience and location may impact salary. VIAVI offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and a bonus program.
See All 203+ Firmware Engineer Jobs in California
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Find Firmware Engineer JobsFirmware Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Firmware Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla19

- Apple16

- Anduril12

- Qualcomm11

- 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