Firmware Jobs in California
Firmware jobs in California are in high demand across the state's dominant defense electronics, semiconductor, and consumer technology sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level embedded systems engineers to senior firmware architects. The heaviest hiring concentrates in the San Jose and San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where established employers like Qualcomm, Apple, and Broadcom maintain major engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties include embedded C/C++ development, real-time operating systems, and hardware-software integration for wireless and IoT products. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 195+ Firmware jobs
- Research, evaluate, and prototype emerging wireless and embedded technologies for next-generation connected access products
- Design, develop, and architect embedded systems and firmware solutions for smart locks and access control devices from initial bring-up through production readiness
- Design and implement new embedded firmware features including sensor integration, proximity-based functionality, and low-power device operation
- Integrate Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, and other wireless communication protocols within embedded firmware to enable secure device connectivity with mobile applications and cloud services
- Design and develop embedded interfaces using wired communication protocols to interface with sensors, motors, actuators, and control components
- Design and evolve embedded firmware architectures using real-time operating systems and bare-metal implementations to ensure reliable, scalable device operation
- Develop and optimize power-management strategies to achieve long battery life in resource-constrained devices
- Collaborate with intellectual property teams to identify, document, and contribute to patentable firmware and system-level innovations
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering, or equivalent
- 5 years of related experience
- 5 years of experience designing and developing embedded wireless connectivity firmware enabling secure device communication with mobile applications and cloud services
- 4 years of experience developing embedded firmware using Embedded C for battery-powered real-time devices with hardware peripheral integration
- 4 years of experience designing and developing real-time embedded applications using RTOS for reliable device operation and performance
- 5 years of experience designing embedded systems architecture integrating firmware, wireless communication protocols, and hardware interfaces
- 5 years of experience designing and developing embedded communication interfaces using wired protocols with low-level driver development and protocol debugging
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access.
- Research, evaluate, and prototype emerging wireless and embedded technologies for next-generation connected access products
- Design, develop, and architect embedded systems and firmware solutions for smart locks and access control devices from initial bring-up through production readiness
- Design and implement new embedded firmware features including sensor integration, proximity-based functionality, and low-power device operation
- Integrate Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, and other wireless communication protocols within embedded firmware to enable secure device connectivity with mobile applications and cloud services
- Design and develop embedded interfaces using wired communication protocols to interface with sensors, motors, actuators, and control components
- Design and evolve embedded firmware architectures using real-time operating systems and bare-metal implementations to ensure reliable, scalable device operation
- Develop and optimize power-management strategies to achieve long battery life in resource-constrained devices
- Collaborate with intellectual property teams to identify, document, and contribute to patentable firmware and system-level innovations
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering, or equivalent
- 5 years of related experience
- 5 years of experience designing and developing embedded wireless connectivity firmware enabling secure device communication with mobile applications and cloud services
- 4 years of experience developing embedded firmware using Embedded C for battery-powered real-time devices with hardware peripheral integration
- 4 years of experience designing and developing real-time embedded applications using RTOS for reliable device operation and performance
- 5 years of experience designing embedded systems architecture integrating firmware, wireless communication protocols, and hardware interfaces
- 5 years of experience designing and developing embedded communication interfaces using wired protocols with low-level driver development and protocol debugging
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access.
See All 195+ Firmware Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Firmware JobsFirmware Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Firmware Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple24
- Tesla10
- Anduril9
- NVIDIA8
- Qualcomm7
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware34
- Technology & Software24
- Manufacturing9
- Science & Research7
- Consulting & Professional Services6
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in firmware jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science required
- Proficiency in embedded C or C++ for bare-metal and RTOS environments
- Experience with hardware debugging tools such as JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
- Familiarity with communication protocols including I2C, SPI, UART, and CAN
- Ability to read and interpret schematics and hardware design documentation
- Experience with version control systems such as Git in a collaborative engineering environment
Firmware Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a firmware engineer in California?
Most firmware roles in California require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field, and no state-issued license applies to this occupation. California employers typically prioritize hands-on experience with embedded systems, so building a portfolio through personal projects, open-source contributions, or university lab work strengthens your candidacy considerably. Many candidates also complete internships at Bay Area or San Diego hardware companies before transitioning into full-time roles.
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 August 2026. California's dense concentration of semiconductor designers, defense contractors, and consumer electronics manufacturers means the employer base is unusually broad compared with most other states.
Which California cities have the most firmware jobs?
Santa Clara, San Francisco, and Palo Alto have the most firmware openings in California right now. The Bay Area leads because of its dense cluster of semiconductor and consumer electronics headquarters, while San Diego draws heavily from defense electronics and wireless chip companies, and Los Angeles generates demand through its growing aerospace and connected-device manufacturing base.
Are there remote firmware jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Firmware work is inherently hands-on, requiring access to physical hardware, test equipment, and lab environments, so most roles in California are on-site or at most hybrid. About 33% of firmware openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically cover tasks like code review, documentation, or simulation work that does not require bench access.
How can I get hired as a firmware engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or new-graduate program at a California hardware company, where employers like Qualcomm, Broadcom, and Applied Micro run structured rotations specifically for candidates without professional experience. Targeting associate embedded software engineer or hardware bring-up technician roles at mid-size San Diego or Bay Area companies is also effective, since those positions accept candidates who demonstrate strong university project work or open-source embedded contributions in lieu of industry experience.
Where can I find and apply to firmware jobs in California?
You can find and apply to firmware jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across embedded systems, RTOS, and hardware-software integration roles. Search the listings for positions that match your experience level and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 195+ Firmware Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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