STEM OPT Firmware Jobs
Firmware roles in embedded systems, real-time OS development, and hardware-software integration qualify for STEM OPT's 24-month extension when your degree aligns with an approved CIP code. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll work under a structured I-983 training plan tied to your engineering or computer science credentials.
Find STEM OPT Firmware JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 116+ Firmware jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 116+ 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
Join us as an Embedded Firmware Engineer designing and delivering firmware that powers next-generation devices! You will turn concepts into reliable, low-power products by developing firmware architectures, leading cross-functional development efforts, and driving measurable improvements in product performance and customer experience.
OUR TEAM
You will be part of the Devices team, a collaborative, cross-disciplinary group of hardware, software, and project engineers focused on taking motorized, sensor-driven systems from prototype to production. We move quickly, iterate often, and prioritize customer-centric solutions.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Architect and deliver embedded firmware that enables reliable, low-power devices and improves product performance and customer outcomes.
- Translate product requirements into firmware designs and algorithms that reduce energy use, improve responsiveness, and simplify maintenance.
- Lead cross-functional efforts to integrate firmware with mechanical, electrical, and cloud/software components to accelerate time-to-market.
- Define and execute verification strategies and test plans using statistical analysis to increase product quality and reduce field issues.
- Drive multiple projects to completion on schedule while documenting architecture, decisions, and delivery artifacts in source control and lifecycle systems (e.g., Git, SAP).
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (electrical, electronics, computer, or software) or equivalent practical experience.
- Proficient in C and C++ for embedded systems development.
- Hands-on experience with embedded microcontrollers and proven debugging/troubleshooting techniques.
- Working knowledge of motor controls, power supplies, low-power electronics, and wireless communications.
- Experience managing code repositories with Git and documenting work in engineering lifecycle systems.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience developing on ARM Cortex-M series microcontrollers.
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) in embedded devices.
- Experience working in an agile project development environment.
- Familiarity with automated unit testing and embedded testing frameworks.
- Knowledge of multiple programming languages (e.g. C#, JavaScript, Object-Oriented Languages).
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
HIRING PHILOSOPHY
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
WHO WE ARE
As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
OUR BENEFITS
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).
INTRODUCTION
Join us as an Embedded Firmware Engineer designing and delivering firmware that powers next-generation devices! You will turn concepts into reliable, low-power products by developing firmware architectures, leading cross-functional development efforts, and driving measurable improvements in product performance and customer experience.
OUR TEAM
You will be part of the Devices team, a collaborative, cross-disciplinary group of hardware, software, and project engineers focused on taking motorized, sensor-driven systems from prototype to production. We move quickly, iterate often, and prioritize customer-centric solutions.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Architect and deliver embedded firmware that enables reliable, low-power devices and improves product performance and customer outcomes.
- Translate product requirements into firmware designs and algorithms that reduce energy use, improve responsiveness, and simplify maintenance.
- Lead cross-functional efforts to integrate firmware with mechanical, electrical, and cloud/software components to accelerate time-to-market.
- Define and execute verification strategies and test plans using statistical analysis to increase product quality and reduce field issues.
- Drive multiple projects to completion on schedule while documenting architecture, decisions, and delivery artifacts in source control and lifecycle systems (e.g., Git, SAP).
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (electrical, electronics, computer, or software) or equivalent practical experience.
- Proficient in C and C++ for embedded systems development.
- Hands-on experience with embedded microcontrollers and proven debugging/troubleshooting techniques.
- Working knowledge of motor controls, power supplies, low-power electronics, and wireless communications.
- Experience managing code repositories with Git and documenting work in engineering lifecycle systems.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience developing on ARM Cortex-M series microcontrollers.
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) in embedded devices.
- Experience working in an agile project development environment.
- Familiarity with automated unit testing and embedded testing frameworks.
- Knowledge of multiple programming languages (e.g. C#, JavaScript, Object-Oriented Languages).
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
HIRING PHILOSOPHY
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
WHO WE ARE
As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
OUR BENEFITS
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).
See all 116+ STEM OPT Firmware Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Firmware Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Firmware
Verify your CIP code before applying
Pull your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code from your DSO and cross-reference it against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and embedded systems degrees almost always qualify, but closely related fields like mechatronics need explicit confirmation before you commit to a role.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Firmware teams at smaller embedded hardware companies and defense contractors often aren't E-Verify enrolled by default. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name before your final interview round so you're not negotiating an offer from a company that legally can't employ you on STEM OPT.
Build an I-983 training plan around measurable firmware deliverables
Generic training plans get rejected. Map each I-983 learning objective to a concrete firmware milestone: bootloader development, RTOS porting, or hardware bring-up. Your DSO signs off only when the plan demonstrates direct connection between the work and your STEM degree field.
Search Migrate Mate to filter employers with STEM OPT history
Firmware openings are scattered across defense, automotive, IoT, and semiconductor sectors. Migrate Mate filters roles by employers who have verifiable STEM OPT and E-Verify compliance history, so you spend less time vetting and more time applying to positions that are actually accessible to you.
Target companies filing LCAs for embedded or firmware roles
Use the OFLC Wage Search to identify companies that have filed Labor Condition Applications under SOC codes for electrical engineers or software developers. Firms with active LCA filings are already inside the DOL compliance infrastructure, which makes transitioning you from STEM OPT to H-1B visa sponsorship significantly smoother.
Time your H-1B registration to cover your OPT end date
If your STEM OPT expires before October 1 of the H-1B fiscal year, cap-gap protection under USCIS rules extends your work authorization automatically while the petition is pending. Align your STEM OPT extension start date with your employer's fiscal year calendar so your authorization never lapses between filing and approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension in a firmware role?
Your degree must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List under an approved CIP code. Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science degrees consistently qualify. Mechanical engineering degrees with embedded systems coursework may qualify depending on your school's CIP assignment. Confirm your exact CIP code with your DSO before accepting any firmware position, since the extension authorization is tied to the degree field, not the job title.
Does a firmware employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. USCIS requires that all STEM OPT employers be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension is approved. This applies to every employer in the chain, including staffing agencies if you're placed through one. Smaller firmware shops and hardware startups frequently overlook this requirement. Verify enrollment directly through the E-Verify employer search before signing an offer letter.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a firmware engineering position?
Your I-983 must document specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just a job description. For firmware roles, list concrete technical goals: bare-metal driver development, real-time operating system integration, hardware bring-up procedures, or debugging embedded communication protocols. USCIS requires that each objective connects directly to your degree field, and your employer must sign off confirming the work meets those goals. Vague plans citing general 'engineering experience' are routinely rejected.
How does cap-gap work if my STEM OPT expires before my H-1B starts?
Cap-gap protection under USCIS regulations automatically extends your work authorization if your employer files an H-1B petition before your STEM OPT end date and you're selected in the lottery. The extension runs through September 30 of the H-1B fiscal year. You can continue working in your firmware role during this window without interruption. If the petition is denied or withdrawn, cap-gap protection ends and you must stop working immediately.
Where can I find firmware jobs open to STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists firmware roles filtered by employers with E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT compatibility, so you're not sifting through postings from companies that can't legally hire you on an OPT extension. Firmware openings span defense, automotive, semiconductor, and consumer electronics sectors. Narrowing by employer compliance history up front saves significant time during a job search where your authorization window is limited.