A Firmware Engineer focuses on developing code that directly interacts with hardware within embedded systems, while a Software Engineer typically works on software that runs on operating systems and provides applications or services.
Extremely important. Proficiency in languages like C, C++, and Assembly is crucial for writing efficient, low-level code that interacts with hardware.
Firmware Engineers embed security features into firmware to protect devices from unauthorized access and cyber threats, playing a critical role in overall device security.
While some aspects of firmware development can be done remotely, close collaboration with hardware teams and access to physical devices for testing often require onsite work.
Current trends include a focus on security, IoT and connectivity, integration of AI and ML, energy efficiency, and adopting Agile and DevOps practices in the development process.