How To Become A Firmware Test Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a firmware test engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Harvey Hoffman

If you firmly know that you want to work with computers, you might want to consider becoming a firmware test engineers. Firmware test engineers design and implement test scripts to ensure product functionality and robustness. They also collaborate with developers and validation engineers to develop and automate test cases and tools for firmware validation. Some of their other duties include executing test cases, debugging issues, and filing defect reports.

Firmware test engineers are also expected to incorporate client feedback into firmware revisions and to maintain awareness of technological developments and industry best practices. These individuals should have strong attention to detail and be able to work within a team in a fast-paced, changing environment. It's also very important for firmware test engineers to have strong knowledge of software programming languages.

To get a job as a firmware test engineer, you'll typically need a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or related field.

What general advice would you give to a firmware test engineer?

Dr. Harvey Hoffman

Associate Dean of Engineering, Fairfield University

Graduates need to be flexible and open to taking on new projects, exploring new industries, perhaps non-traditional areas where they see growth, while building and maintaining their networking relationships. Go where the demand is for the role you seek. I hate to use a cliche, but remember that your engineering career is a journey that may take you in many directions. Be open to change.

A professional in any field must continue to learn. Your engineering degree gave you the necessary tools. You must engage in lifelong learning to increase your knowledge and improve your skills and competencies to set yourself apart.

ScoreFirmware Test EngineerUS Average

Salary

6.6

Avg. Salary $84,319

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.1

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 10.79%

male 89.21%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

5.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a firmware test engineer

Explore firmware test engineer education requirements

Most common firmware test engineer degrees

Bachelor's

74.8 %

Master's

11.4 %

Associate

10.6 %

Start to develop specific firmware test engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Python	17.95%
Firmware	13.32%
Test Automation	6.42%
Test Results	5.13%
Linux	4.15%

Complete relevant firmware test engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New firmware test engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a firmware test engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real firmware test engineer resumes.

Research firmware test engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage firmware of automate bench top devices that utilize a microprocessor.
Validate the FPGA, GPIO, SPI, and I2C.
Develop test tools to load new kernels, update file systems, and test RF equipment.
Create a robot control by a FPGA.

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When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your firmware test engineer resume.

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