Firmware Engineer vs. Software Engineer: What Are the Differences?
Learn about the two careers and review some of the similarities and differences between them.
If you’re interested in a career in engineering, you may be wondering what the difference is between firmware engineering and software engineering. Both fields require a high level of education and skills in programming and software development. However, there are some key differences between the two, which are important to understand before making a decision about which field to pursue.
In this article, we discuss the differences between firmware engineering and software engineering, and we provide information about what you can expect in each field.
What is a Firmware Engineer?
Firmware Engineers design, develop, test and oversee the production of the software that is built into computer hardware devices. This can include devices like cell phones, routers, hard drives, digital cameras and more. Firmware Engineers work with other hardware and software engineers to ensure that the firmware meets the requirements of the device and its users. They also work with manufacturers to ensure that the firmware can be properly produced and installed on the devices. Firmware Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.
What is a Software Engineer?
Software Engineers are responsible for developing, testing and maintaining software applications. They work closely with business analysts and other stakeholders to understand the needs of the user and create software that meets those needs. They use a variety of programming languages and tools to create software that is efficient and effective. Software Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. They must be able to think analytically and solve problems effectively.
Firmware Engineer vs. Software Engineer
Here are the main differences between a firmware engineer and a software engineer.
Job Duties
Firmware engineers and software engineers share some of their job duties. These common duties include researching user needs, analyzing data and performing quality assurance testing. However, the primary function of a firmware engineer is to design hardware that functions properly with specific firmware. Therefore, they may spend much of their time designing hardware rather than software.
In contrast, software engineers focus primarily on creating software that meets user needs. They may perform tasks such as writing code, debugging software or troubleshooting issues with existing software. Software engineers also often work closely with designers, developers and other software professionals to ensure that the final product meets user needs and is easy to use.
Job Requirements
Firmware engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering or a related field. They might also pursue a master’s degree to gain more advanced knowledge in the field. Firmware engineers should be skilled in programming languages like C++ and Java, as well as have experience with hardware platforms like microprocessors and embedded systems.
Software engineers usually need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering or a related field. They might also pursue a master’s degree to gain more advanced knowledge in the field. Software engineers should be skilled in programming languages like C++ and Java, as well as have experience with software development tools and methodologies.
Work Environment
Both firmware engineers and software engineers work in office environments, but they may also travel to clients’ locations. They may spend time working on projects with teams of other professionals, including designers, marketers and business analysts.
Firmware engineers typically work for companies that manufacture electronic devices, such as cellphones or computers. Software engineers often work for technology companies, like Google or Microsoft, where they can collaborate with other developers to create new products.
Skills
Both firmware engineers and software engineers use programming languages to write code, but the specific languages they use can differ. Firmware engineers often work with C++, while software engineers may use Java or Python.
Both roles also require an understanding of algorithms and data structures. However, because firmware is typically stored on read-only memory, firmware engineers need to be especially mindful of the amount of space their code takes up. As a result, they often use more efficient coding techniques, such as using smaller variable names.
Firmware engineers also need to have an understanding of hardware, as they need to know how to interface their code with the various components in a system. Software engineers do not need to have this same level of understanding, although it can be beneficial.
Salary
Software engineers earn an average salary of $106,619 per year, while firmware engineers earn an average salary of $108,483 per year. Both of these salaries may vary depending on the size of the company at which you work, location of your job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.