Firmware engineers design, install, and troubleshoot firmware systems and their components. They play an active role in every phase of the firmware development cycle, and must be prepared to adapt systems quickly to meet rapidly changing business needs. They assist with the management of upgrades to existing systems and the implementation of new systems. They write scripts, conduct testing, and handle debugging tasks.
Firmware engineers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in an engineering or computer science field, although an advanced degree is desired by some employers. They should have strong programming and code writing skills, along with hands-on experience with testing, validation, and debugging tools. They must have good communication skills and be able to work in fast-paced, demanding environments under challenging time constraints.