Description

Senior firmware engineers develop applications and systems for various technology companies, creating custom code to provide solutions. While this is not a leadership position, senior firmware engineers need to have strong leadership skills to manage software projects and work with a team of engineers to finish a programming project. Typically, they lead the design, development, and testing of new programs, working with a large team to ensure the production of a quality project. The typical day for senior firmware engineers would consist of team meetings and working directly with a computer and programming. Additionally, senior firmware engineers participate in research and development, occasionally providing new and innovative ideas for the improvement of products.

This position requires extensive programming knowledge that may include C, C++, PCI, Linux, and Matlab among others.

Senior firmware engineers typically have several years of experience in a programming environment, as well as at least a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, or a related field; often, a master's degree in one of those disciplines is required for the position. Creative thinking and problem solving are beneficial skills for troubleshooting potential problems with code and brainstorming solutions to existing problems. Organizational and multitasking skills are important requirements, as senior firmware engineers typically work on several projects at once and they may have to transfer project ownership quickly if organizational priorities shift.

Roles & Responsibilities

As a Senior Firmware Engineer with 6-9 years of experience in Singapore, your main responsibilities include:

  • Leading firmware development projects, overseeing the entire software development life cycle and ensuring adherence to project timelines and quality standards.
  • Designing, implementing, and testing firmware solutions for complex embedded systems, including developing low-level drivers, protocols, and algorithms.
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams, such as hardware engineers and software developers, to ensure seamless integration and compatibility of firmware with hardware components.
  • Mentoring and providing technical guidance to junior firmware engineers, reviewing their code, and facilitating knowledge sharing within the team.

Qualifications & Work Experience

For a Senior Firmware Engineer job role, the following qualifications are required:

  • The candidate should have a strong understanding of embedded systems, microcontrollers, and firmware programming languages like C/C++. They should have experience in designing, developing, and debugging firmware for complex hardware systems.
  • The candidate should be proficient in low-level programming, including device drivers, interrupt handling, memory management, and communication protocols (eg, I2C, SPI, UART). They should be able to optimize code for resource-constrained environments.
  • The candidate should have hands-on experience in integrating firmware with hardware components, such as sensors, actuators, and interfaces. They should be familiar with hardware design and be able to collaborate with hardware engineers on system-level integration.
  • The candidate should possess strong analytical and troubleshooting skills to identify and resolve firmware-related issues.

Essential Skills For Senior Firmware Engineer

1

Software Development

Skills That Affect Senior Firmware Engineer Salaries

Different skills can affect your salary. Below are the most popular skills and their effect on salary.

Software Development

7%

Career Prospects

The role of a Senior Firmware Engineer with 6-9 years of experience in Singapore is crucial in developing and maintaining firmware systems. For professionals looking to explore alternative roles, here are following options to consider:

  • System Architect: A position that involves designing and overseeing the overall architecture of a system, including firmware integration and compatibility.
  • Embedded Software Engineer: A role focused on developing and optimizing embedded software for various applications, leveraging firmware expertise.
  • Technical Lead: A position where one can take on a leadership role, guiding and mentoring a team of firmware engineers while contributing to technical decision-making.
  • Research and Development Engineer: A role involving innovation and exploration of new technologies, developing cutting-edge firmware solutions for future products.

How to Learn

The job role of Senior Firmware Engineer in Singapore is expected to experience strong growth in the market. Over the past decade, there has been a consistent demand for professionals in this role. According to recent data from Google, the projected job growth in this field is estimated to be around 10% over the next 10 years. This indicates a positive trend in the employment opportunities for Senior Firmware Engineers in the future. With the continuous advancements in technology and the increasing need for firmware development in various industries, the demand for skilled professionals in this field is expected to remain high.