Firmware, the software embedded into hardware that enables it to operate as designed, is a critical foundation for modern technology. In the UK, demand for firmware engineers has surged in recent years, driven by the explosion of IoT devices, electric vehicles (EVs), advanced manufacturing, and defence technologies.
However, the supply of qualified talent has not kept pace, and this shortfall is increasingly viewed not just as a recruitment issue, but as a potential national security risk, especially given firmware’s role in defence and critical infrastructure.
Industry experts report a significant shortage of embedded software engineers in the UK, calling it a growing concern that threatens technological progress1. In fact, embedded programmers are now officially recognised on the UK’s Shortage Occupation List (roles like driver developer and embedded communications engineer) due to the scarcity of local skilled workers2.
This article explores the scale of the challenge, its root causes, and a new, more sustainable approach to growing firmware and embedded software talent at pace.
Growing demand and a widening skills gap
Firmware is the invisible engine powering everything from electric vehicles to smart devices, and as the UK doubles down on innovation, demand for skilled firmware engineers has surged. These professionals develop the embedded software that directly interacts with hardware, ensuring that sensors, controllers, and devices perform reliably and securely. Yet, despite the strategic importance of firmware to the UK’s technology ambitions, the pipeline of qualified engineers is falling critically short of demand.
While there are over 15,000 software developer vacancies advertised on LinkedIn in the UK, firmware roles are also in high demand, with more than 3,000 vacancies currently open3. Yet the training pathways differ dramatically: there are over 200 UK undergraduate courses in software development, but not a single undergraduate course specifically focused on firmware engineering. This mismatch leaves many aspiring engineers underprepared for embedded systems roles, despite strong employer demand.
Key factors worsening the gap include:
- Lack of alignment between secondary education and industry: Students are increasingly leaving education without the practical skills and knowledge that industry demands, therefore, many engineers who do enter the field lack formal training specifically in embedded software4.
- Niche skills: Employers struggle to find experience with specific tools like Keil, STM32Cube, and Nordic SDK.
- Lack of further education training: University curricula continue to prioritise data science and software engineering, sidelining firmware and embedded systems.
Demand for firmware engineers is growing rapidly across sectors such as MedTech, automotive, renewable energy, and aerospace, where embedded systems are central to innovation. From life-saving diagnostic tools and autonomous vehicles to maritime surveillance and smart farming, the reliance on real-time, high-reliability firmware is intensifying. As more devices require secure, connected, and efficient embedded solutions, firmware expertise has become mission critical.
In the defence sector, firmware talent is equally critical. Embedded systems underpin military capabilities from avionics to secure communications, and the growing shortfall in skilled engineers could jeopardise operational readiness, escalating the issue from a talent shortage to a matter of national defence resilience.
Yet recruitment is hampered by clearance requirements, a narrow talent pool, and limited jobseeker engagement with software roles now accounting for 14.5% of all UK defence job postings5.
Meanwhile, the public sector is attempting to digitise infrastructure and healthcare, which also depend on embedded technologies. However, only 6% of public sector organisations report fully implementing digital transformation, and over 50% of public sector IT leaders cite workforce skill shortages, including in embedded systems, as a key barrier6.
Whether delivering cutting-edge products, protecting national security, or modernising essential services, UK organisations face a shared challenge: a chronic shortage of firmware and embedded systems capability.
