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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Showing 5 of 216+ Firmware Engineer jobs
About Zoox
Zoox is transforming mobility with fully autonomous, electric vehicles designed from the ground up for a driverless future. Our mission is to make transportation safer, more sustainable, and accessible to everyone. At Zoox, innovation, collaboration, and a bold vision for the future drive everything we do.
About Our Part Time Student Worker Program
Zoox’s program offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology, mentorship from some of the industry’s brightest minds, and the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to real projects. We seek part time student workers who demonstrate strong academic performance, engagement beyond the classroom, intellectual curiosity, and a genuine interest in Zoox’s mission.
Project Overview
Zoox is seeking a motivated Firmware Engineer student worker to join our team, focusing on diagnostic infrastructure for the Core Firmware System Services team. This is an opportunity to own highly-visible, foundational projects where you will extend our existing diagnostic infrastructure. You will work on the full development cycle of robot firmware development.
In this role, you will:
- Work on the development of UDS, DoIP, and XCP clients and servers for current and next generation platforms
- Develop and test embedded software for reporting diagnostic and configuration
- Contribute to all phases of the software development cycle including prototyping, requirements capture, design, implementation, and validation
- Collaborate with system, software, hardware, and test engineers to define, implement, and validate diagnostic requirements
Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or equivalent experience
- Proficiency in modern C++ for software development
- Experience with Python programming
- Experience with application development targeting a unix-like environment
Bonus Qualifications:
- Familiarity with C++ unit testing principles and framework such as gtest
- Experience with real-time operating systems
- Network introspection and debugging at and above the transport layer
- Industrial or automotive fieldbuses and diagnostics standards (e.g., CAN, J1939, EtherCAT, UDS, SOVD)
- One or more inter-process communication mechanisms
- Event- or message-driven software systems
Program Requirements:
- Currently pursuing a B.S. or M.S., in a relevant engineering field
- Available for a 6 month project
- Able to commit to at least 20 hours per week
- Ability to commute on-site to one of our offices
- Student Worker may not use proprietary Zoox information in university theses, publications, or share it outside
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
About Zoox
Zoox is transforming mobility with fully autonomous, electric vehicles designed from the ground up for a driverless future. Our mission is to make transportation safer, more sustainable, and accessible to everyone. At Zoox, innovation, collaboration, and a bold vision for the future drive everything we do.
About Our Part Time Student Worker Program
Zoox’s program offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology, mentorship from some of the industry’s brightest minds, and the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to real projects. We seek part time student workers who demonstrate strong academic performance, engagement beyond the classroom, intellectual curiosity, and a genuine interest in Zoox’s mission.
Project Overview
Zoox is seeking a motivated Firmware Engineer student worker to join our team, focusing on diagnostic infrastructure for the Core Firmware System Services team. This is an opportunity to own highly-visible, foundational projects where you will extend our existing diagnostic infrastructure. You will work on the full development cycle of robot firmware development.
In this role, you will:
- Work on the development of UDS, DoIP, and XCP clients and servers for current and next generation platforms
- Develop and test embedded software for reporting diagnostic and configuration
- Contribute to all phases of the software development cycle including prototyping, requirements capture, design, implementation, and validation
- Collaborate with system, software, hardware, and test engineers to define, implement, and validate diagnostic requirements
Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or equivalent experience
- Proficiency in modern C++ for software development
- Experience with Python programming
- Experience with application development targeting a unix-like environment
Bonus Qualifications:
- Familiarity with C++ unit testing principles and framework such as gtest
- Experience with real-time operating systems
- Network introspection and debugging at and above the transport layer
- Industrial or automotive fieldbuses and diagnostics standards (e.g., CAN, J1939, EtherCAT, UDS, SOVD)
- One or more inter-process communication mechanisms
- Event- or message-driven software systems
Program Requirements:
- Currently pursuing a B.S. or M.S., in a relevant engineering field
- Available for a 6 month project
- Able to commit to at least 20 hours per week
- Ability to commute on-site to one of our offices
- Student Worker may not use proprietary Zoox information in university theses, publications, or share it outside
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See All 216+ Firmware Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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
- Apple17
- Tesla13
- Anduril12
- NVIDIA10
- Qualcomm9
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software13
- Electronics & Hardware11
- Science & Research8
- Telecommunications3
- Artificial Intelligence3
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 Apple, Tesla, and Anduril, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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?
Santa Clara, San Francisco, and San Jose 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 35% of firmware engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 216+ Firmware Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Firmware Engineer Jobs