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Firmware developer vs advanced systems engineer

The differences between firmware developers and advanced systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a firmware developer and an advanced systems engineer. Additionally, an advanced systems engineer has an average salary of $109,257, which is higher than the $87,481 average annual salary of a firmware developer.

The top three skills for a firmware developer include python, java and software development. The most important skills for an advanced systems engineer are DOD, C++, and management system.

Firmware developer vs advanced systems engineer overview

Firmware DeveloperAdvanced Systems Engineer
Yearly salary$87,481$109,257
Hourly rate$42.06$52.53
Growth rate21%5%
Number of jobs78,552220,210
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age3943
Years of experience22

What does a firmware developer do?

A firmware developer mainly develops firmware and designs hardware for online supervision systems and protocol converters. Firmware developers lead workflow resolution and automate the process by routing information to queues for flexible management of exceptions. They create test programs based on technology for maximum processor and firmware processor and memory. It is their job to implement features such as one-touch power windows, audio tones, and wipers. They also create client configuration, statistics, control, and general management functions.

What does an advanced systems engineer do?

An advanced systems engineer develops and upgrades a company's systems, whether those are systems the company uses internally or provides for clients externally. A systems engineer monitors and evaluates applications, software, and productivity systems. Their goal is to continually improve all programs that a company uses. Working alongside the IT department, they monitor feedback, provide suggestions and recommendations, and order upgrades when necessary.

Firmware developer vs advanced systems engineer salary

Firmware developers and advanced systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Firmware DeveloperAdvanced Systems Engineer
Average salary$87,481$109,257
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $117,000Between $84,000 And $140,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Bruno, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaIdaho
Best paying companyParsonsWarner Bros.
Best paying industryInternetRetail

Differences between firmware developer and advanced systems engineer education

There are a few differences between a firmware developer and an advanced systems engineer in terms of educational background:

Firmware DeveloperAdvanced Systems Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringComputer Science
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Firmware developer vs advanced systems engineer demographics

Here are the differences between firmware developers' and advanced systems engineers' demographics:

Firmware DeveloperAdvanced Systems Engineer
Average age3943
Gender ratioMale, 93.5% Female, 6.5%Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 11.9% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between firmware developer and advanced systems engineer duties and responsibilities

Firmware developer example responsibilities.

  • Analyze and manage the project throughout SDLC, written/review specification documents.
  • Develop SRAM/FRAM SPI interface for use in network communication.
  • Write an application in VC++ which facilitates API testing.
  • Board support package for ARM9 processors, board bring up and debugging.
  • Develop a boot loader enabling firmware updates via I2C / SMBus interface.
  • Develop UART driver for cost saving initiative to implement RS232 hardware in FPGA.
  • Show more

Advanced systems engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead a group of 5 Z/OS systems programmers who maintain 2 Z/OS main frames.
  • Install new Hitachi 7700E DASD and lead migration effort off of old IBM 3390 DASD.
  • Work in the computer center managing VMS cluster used by faculty, staff, and students.
  • Recruit to manage, expand, and optimize CICS regions across testing and production environments during rapid business growth.
  • Recruit to establish and manage Virtualization\Storage\Backup environments.
  • Require strong understanding of UNIX and LINUX operating systems.
  • Show more

Firmware developer vs advanced systems engineer skills

Common firmware developer skills
  • Python, 12%
  • Java, 9%
  • Software Development, 7%
  • C, 7%
  • C++, 7%
  • Linux, 6%
Common advanced systems engineer skills
  • DOD, 12%
  • C++, 9%
  • Management System, 9%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Java, 7%
  • System Development, 6%

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