H-1B Visa Firmware Jobs
Firmware engineers write the low-level code that runs directly on hardware, a specialty occupation that qualifies for H-1B visa sponsorship under USCIS guidelines. Employers in consumer electronics, automotive, medical devices, and defense regularly file H-1B visa petitions for firmware roles requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
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Get Access To All JobsPrincipal Firmware Engineer
A Day in Your Life at MKS:
As a Principal Firmware Engineer on MKS’s Valves Engineering team, you will play a critical technical leadership role within a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment. You will design and develop embedded firmware that powers advanced throttle valve products used in semiconductor manufacturing and other high-performance vacuum applications.
You Will Make an Impact By:
- Leading the architecture, design, implementation, verification and validation of embedded firmware for complex control systems.
- Collaborating closely with cross-functional team to understand customer requirements and deliver innovative solutions that enhance product performance and customer success.
- Establishing and driving firmware development best practices, including coding standards, design reviews, and automated test frameworks.
- Providing technical leadership, mentorship and guidance to firmware engineers across the organization.
- Driving continuous improvement in firmware quality, reliability, and development efficiency.
Skills You Bring:
- Education: BS, MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in embedded systems and firmware development, including control algorithms.
- Demonstrated technical leadership with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming for real-time embedded systems.
- Expertise in debugging and system bring-up, using tools such as emulators, oscilloscopes, and communication bus analyzers.
- Experience with version control systems and structured software release processes.
Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have):
- Experience with industrial fieldbus protocols such as EtherCAT, DeviceNet, or similar.
- Experience with motion control systems, including stepper motors and BLDC motors.
- Strong understanding of feedback control theory, including PID control and tuning.
- Experience with SPI, I2C, UART and other communication protocols.
Compensation and Benefits:
-
Salary Pay Range: $126,200.00 - 210,350.00 USD per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law. At MKS, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.
-
Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS [or as applicable].
-
Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement [and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc.].
MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. Please review our EOE statements for additional details. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.
Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be “U.S. persons.” “U.S. persons” are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.
MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com.
If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role.
Principal Firmware Engineer
A Day in Your Life at MKS:
As a Principal Firmware Engineer on MKS’s Valves Engineering team, you will play a critical technical leadership role within a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment. You will design and develop embedded firmware that powers advanced throttle valve products used in semiconductor manufacturing and other high-performance vacuum applications.
You Will Make an Impact By:
- Leading the architecture, design, implementation, verification and validation of embedded firmware for complex control systems.
- Collaborating closely with cross-functional team to understand customer requirements and deliver innovative solutions that enhance product performance and customer success.
- Establishing and driving firmware development best practices, including coding standards, design reviews, and automated test frameworks.
- Providing technical leadership, mentorship and guidance to firmware engineers across the organization.
- Driving continuous improvement in firmware quality, reliability, and development efficiency.
Skills You Bring:
- Education: BS, MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in embedded systems and firmware development, including control algorithms.
- Demonstrated technical leadership with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming for real-time embedded systems.
- Expertise in debugging and system bring-up, using tools such as emulators, oscilloscopes, and communication bus analyzers.
- Experience with version control systems and structured software release processes.
Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have):
- Experience with industrial fieldbus protocols such as EtherCAT, DeviceNet, or similar.
- Experience with motion control systems, including stepper motors and BLDC motors.
- Strong understanding of feedback control theory, including PID control and tuning.
- Experience with SPI, I2C, UART and other communication protocols.
Compensation and Benefits:
-
Salary Pay Range: $126,200.00 - 210,350.00 USD per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law. At MKS, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.
-
Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS [or as applicable].
-
Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement [and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc.].
MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. Please review our EOE statements for additional details. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.
Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be “U.S. persons.” “U.S. persons” are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.
MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com.
If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Firmware
Translate your embedded skills into SOC codes
Firmware roles map to multiple Standard Occupational Classification codes, and the code your employer selects directly affects your prevailing wage tier. Review the O*NET profiles for Software Developers and Electrical Engineers before your offer letter is drafted.
Target employers with dedicated embedded hardware teams
Companies that build their own silicon or run real-time operating systems in-house file H-1B petitions far more consistently than software-only shops. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with verified H-1B LCA filings in firmware and embedded systems roles.
Verify your degree field matches the petition
USCIS requires your degree to be in a field directly related to firmware development. Computer science degrees sometimes draw Requests for Evidence; electrical engineering or computer engineering degrees align more cleanly with the specialty occupation definition for this role.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage meeting DOL's prevailing wage for your specific location and job level. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Level I through Level IV wage data for your target metro area before the offer is finalized.
Ask about ITAR clearance and its effect on sponsorship
Many firmware roles in defense and aerospace are restricted to U.S. persons under ITAR regulations, which excludes H-1B holders. Confirm whether a role carries ITAR restrictions before investing time in the interview process.
File before the April lottery cap with premium processing
USCIS opens H-1B registration in March for the annual cap. Firmware engineers at cap-subject employers should confirm their petition will be filed in that window and request premium processing to get a decision within 15 business days if timeline is critical.
H-1B Visa Firmware: Frequently Asked Questions
Do firmware engineer roles qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Firmware engineering qualifies as a specialty occupation because the role typically requires at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. USCIS looks at whether the position normally requires that degree for entry. Roles involving RTOS development, device drivers, or bare-metal programming on proprietary hardware consistently meet that standard, though your employer's petition language needs to reflect those technical requirements clearly.
Which industries sponsor H-1B visas most consistently for firmware engineers?
Consumer electronics, automotive (especially EV and ADAS), medical devices, telecommunications hardware, and semiconductor companies file H-1B petitions for firmware roles regularly. Defense contractors also hire firmware engineers but often limit sponsorship to roles not subject to ITAR restrictions. You can browse employers with active H-1B LCA filing history in these sectors on Migrate Mate.
Can my H-1B petition be denied if my degree is in computer science instead of electrical engineering?
It's possible. USCIS requires a direct relationship between your degree field and the firmware role. Computer science degrees are generally accepted for software-focused positions, but for roles centered on hardware interaction, embedded C, or low-level peripheral programming, an electrical or computer engineering degree aligns more cleanly. If your degree is in computer science, your employer's attorney should document the technical overlap carefully to reduce the risk of a Request for Evidence.
What happens to my H-1B status if my firmware project is canceled and my role changes significantly?
If your job duties change materially, your employer must file an amended H-1B petition with USCIS before you begin the new role. A shift from embedded firmware development to general software engineering, for example, may require a new Labor Condition Application reflecting the updated SOC code and prevailing wage. Working in a materially different role without an amended petition puts your status at risk.
Does the 60-day grace period apply if a firmware startup lays me off?
Yes. H-1B holders get a 60-day grace period after involuntary termination to find a new employer, transfer their H-1B, or change status. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition, and you can start working once they file, not just after approval. Given how specialized firmware roles are, starting your search immediately through a targeted platform like Migrate Mate gives you the best chance of finding a sponsoring employer within that window.