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.
Find H-1B Visa Firmware JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 460+ Firmware jobs
See all 460+ Firmware Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Firmware roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Bright Vision Technologies is a forward-thinking software development company dedicated to building innovative solutions that help businesses automate and optimize their operations. We leverage cutting-edge technologies to create scalable, secure, and user-friendly applications. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for a skilled Principal Firmware Engineer – Coherent Optical Modules & Embedded Platforms (CPO) to join our dynamic team and contribute to our mission of transforming business processes through technology. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an established and well-respected organization offering tremendous career growth potential.
Job Title: Principal Firmware Engineer – Coherent Optical Modules & Embedded Platforms (CPO)
Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite)
Salary: (USD): $200K – $260K per year
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Principal Firmware Engineer to lead firmware development for next-generation coherent optical connectivity solutions. This is a hands-on technical leadership role focused on coherent optical modules, embedded firmware architecture, and emerging Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) platforms. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in optical transceiver firmware, SoC-based embedded systems, and end-to-end product ownership from development through production deployment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Own firmware architecture, design, development, and release for coherent optical module programs (400ZR, 800ZR, ZR+, or similar).
- Lead firmware efforts across product lifecycle phases including bring-up, calibration, validation, production release, and customer deployment.
- Develop and enhance firmware features such as:
- CMIS/C-CMIS compliance
- Bootloader architecture
- Firmware upgrade mechanisms (including hitless/in-service upgrades)
- Hardware abstraction layers
- Calibration and control engines
- Collaborate with hardware, DSP, validation, manufacturing, ATE, and test engineering teams to resolve complex system-level issues.
- Support customer engagements by troubleshooting field issues, responding to technical inquiries, and delivering firmware solutions.
- Drive firmware platform improvements, shared infrastructure development, release processes, and automation initiatives.
- Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across multiple programs.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 15+ years of embedded software/firmware development experience.
- Strong expertise in coherent optical module firmware (400ZR, 800ZR, ZR+, or equivalent technologies).
- Deep understanding of industry standards including:
- OIF-400ZR
- CMIS 4.x/5.x
- C-CMIS
- Experience with SoC-based embedded systems and MCU/DSP architectures.
- Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded firmware development.
- Experience with Python scripting for test automation and validation.
- Expertise in:
- Bootloader design
- Firmware upgrade frameworks
- Flash memory management
- Production firmware release processes
- Proven track record of leading products from initial bring-up through GA release and production support.
- Strong hardware/firmware debugging and system integration skills.
- Experience with ATE integration, lab validation, and field issue resolution.
- Hands-on experience with GitLab, Jira, CI/CD pipelines, and modern firmware development workflows.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous experience with an optical module manufacturer or optical semiconductor company.
- Experience with coherent DSP platforms and optical networking products.
- Knowledge of Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) architectures.
- Background in optical calibration and control algorithms involving components such as EDFA, Mach-Zehnder Modulators (MZ), TOSA, or related optical subsystems.
- Familiarity with high-speed optical interconnect technologies deployed in hyperscale data center environments.
Would you like to know more about this opportunity? For immediate consideration, please send your resume to ayushi@bvteck.com or contact us at (908) 650-6382.
Bright Vision Technologies, we are committed to equal employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive work environment. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Position offered by “No Fee agency.”
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
Bright Vision Technologies (BV Teck) is committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by applicable federal, state, or local laws. This commitment extends to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, transfer, leaves of absence, termination, layoffs, and recall. BV Teck expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination. Any improper interference with employees' ability to perform their job duties may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
INTRODUCTION
Bright Vision Technologies is a forward-thinking software development company dedicated to building innovative solutions that help businesses automate and optimize their operations. We leverage cutting-edge technologies to create scalable, secure, and user-friendly applications. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for a skilled Principal Firmware Engineer – Coherent Optical Modules & Embedded Platforms (CPO) to join our dynamic team and contribute to our mission of transforming business processes through technology. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an established and well-respected organization offering tremendous career growth potential.
Job Title: Principal Firmware Engineer – Coherent Optical Modules & Embedded Platforms (CPO)
Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite)
Salary: (USD): $200K – $260K per year
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Principal Firmware Engineer to lead firmware development for next-generation coherent optical connectivity solutions. This is a hands-on technical leadership role focused on coherent optical modules, embedded firmware architecture, and emerging Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) platforms. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in optical transceiver firmware, SoC-based embedded systems, and end-to-end product ownership from development through production deployment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Own firmware architecture, design, development, and release for coherent optical module programs (400ZR, 800ZR, ZR+, or similar).
- Lead firmware efforts across product lifecycle phases including bring-up, calibration, validation, production release, and customer deployment.
- Develop and enhance firmware features such as:
- CMIS/C-CMIS compliance
- Bootloader architecture
- Firmware upgrade mechanisms (including hitless/in-service upgrades)
- Hardware abstraction layers
- Calibration and control engines
- Collaborate with hardware, DSP, validation, manufacturing, ATE, and test engineering teams to resolve complex system-level issues.
- Support customer engagements by troubleshooting field issues, responding to technical inquiries, and delivering firmware solutions.
- Drive firmware platform improvements, shared infrastructure development, release processes, and automation initiatives.
- Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across multiple programs.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 15+ years of embedded software/firmware development experience.
- Strong expertise in coherent optical module firmware (400ZR, 800ZR, ZR+, or equivalent technologies).
- Deep understanding of industry standards including:
- OIF-400ZR
- CMIS 4.x/5.x
- C-CMIS
- Experience with SoC-based embedded systems and MCU/DSP architectures.
- Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded firmware development.
- Experience with Python scripting for test automation and validation.
- Expertise in:
- Bootloader design
- Firmware upgrade frameworks
- Flash memory management
- Production firmware release processes
- Proven track record of leading products from initial bring-up through GA release and production support.
- Strong hardware/firmware debugging and system integration skills.
- Experience with ATE integration, lab validation, and field issue resolution.
- Hands-on experience with GitLab, Jira, CI/CD pipelines, and modern firmware development workflows.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous experience with an optical module manufacturer or optical semiconductor company.
- Experience with coherent DSP platforms and optical networking products.
- Knowledge of Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) architectures.
- Background in optical calibration and control algorithms involving components such as EDFA, Mach-Zehnder Modulators (MZ), TOSA, or related optical subsystems.
- Familiarity with high-speed optical interconnect technologies deployed in hyperscale data center environments.
Would you like to know more about this opportunity? For immediate consideration, please send your resume to ayushi@bvteck.com or contact us at (908) 650-6382.
Bright Vision Technologies, we are committed to equal employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive work environment. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Position offered by “No Fee agency.”
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
Bright Vision Technologies (BV Teck) is committed to equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by applicable federal, state, or local laws. This commitment extends to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, transfer, leaves of absence, termination, layoffs, and recall. BV Teck expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination. Any improper interference with employees' ability to perform their job duties may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
See all 460+ H-1B Visa Firmware Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Firmware Jobs.
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.