The Embedded Firmware Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring that embedded firmware meets the highest standards of quality, robustness, and long‑term reliability. This role works closely with firmware developers, hardware engineers, architecture teams, QA, and cross‑functional partners to define quality metrics, validate system behavior, improve defect detection, and build processes that prevent regressions.
Responsibilities
Develop, execute, and maintain comprehensive firmware test plans, including functional, regression, stress, corner-case, and long-duration reliability tests. • • • Evaluates the firmware architecture, design and development plus testing methodologies to create strategy and implement methods to bring increased quality and reliability to the firmware.Reviews firmware code and test plans including functional, regression, stress, corner-case and long-duration reliability tests.Perform root-cause analysis for firmware defects, drive containment, corrective actions, and verification of fixes.Create and manage quality dashboards, KPI, failure rates, and reliability metrics.Evaluate failure modes exposed during design, development, manufacturing and field use; propose design or process improvements to prevent recurrence.Works with product architects, firmware teams, product managers and provides critical guidance, system-level debugging and troubleshooting to various teams, as a Subject Matter Expert.Reviews and evaluates designs and project activities for compliance with systems design and development guidelines and standards; provides tangible feedback to improve product quality and mitigate failure risk.Create and manage quality dashboards, KPIs, failure rates, and reliability metrics. Validate firmware integration with hardware, BIOS/UEFI, EC, microcontrollers, sensors, and platform‑level components.Evaluate failure modes exposed during development, manufacturing, and field use; propose design or process improvements to prevent recurrence.Manages and expands relationships with internal and outsourced development partners on firmware design and development.Drives innovation and integration of new technologies into projects and activities in the firmware design organization.Mentors less-experienced software firmware engineers and help guide them to successful deliverables.
Firmware Architecture & Process Improvements
Participate in firmware architecture reviews, ensuring quality and reliability considerations are incorporated into design (aligned with internal FW Architecture Review practices).Advocate and enforce coding standards, testability guidelines, and quality processes across firmware teams.Identify opportunities for simplification, refactoring, or architectural improvements to enhance stability and resilience.Collaborate with FW architects on quality initiatives (e.g., error‑code frameworks, BCR processes, customer‑centric diagnostics).
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Work closely with hardware engineers, firmware developers, QA, sustaining teams, ODM partners, and integration teams.Provide quality feedback in design reviews, program meetings, and cross‑partner syncs.Support bring‑up, validation, platform qualification, and key program milestones.Mentor engineers on debugging techniques, quality practices, and reliability analysis.
Risk Management & Compliance
Ensure firmware processes comply with internal governance, standards, and security guidelines.Identify risks early and drive mitigation plans.Support audits, internal reviews, and quality assessments.
Education & Experience Recommended
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.10+ years of experience in embedded firmware, quality engineering, hardware/firmware debugging, or reliability engineering.Background in embedded systems, microcontrollers, low‑level debugging, and system architecture.Technical SkillsStrong understanding of embedded firmware development (C/C++), driver development, bootloaders, EC/BIOS/UEFI fundamentals.Proficiency in test automation, scripting (Python, Perl, PowerShell, etc.), and testing tools.Ability to analyze failures across hardware, firmware, and system boundaries.Experience with JTAG/SWD, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other debug tools.Familiarity with continuous integration, version control, and quality workflows.
The pay range for this role is $147,050 to $230,850 USD annually with additional opportunities for pay in the form of bonus and/or equity (applies to United States of America candidates only). Pay varies by work location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Benefits:
HP offers a comprehensive benefits package for this position, including:
Health insuranceDental insuranceVision insuranceLong term/short term disability insuranceEmployee assistance programFlexible spending accountLife insuranceGenerous time off policies, including;4-12 weeks fully paid parental leave based on tenure11 paid holidaysAdditional flexible paid vacation and sick leave (US benefits overview)
The compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.