Best Embedded Firmware Developers

Voler Systems vs EES: full comparison for 2026

Quick verdict

Voler Systems (4.5/5) edges ahead of EES (3.8/5) overall. Voler Systems is the better choice for teams wanting long-tenured senior engineers over a fast-scaled bench. EES is the stronger option for teams deliberately avoiding a large delivery organization in favor of senior-led staff. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.

Voler Systems vs EES: head-to-head summary

Criterion Voler Systems EES
Founded 1979 2012
HQ Sunnyvale, CA, USA Tempe / Chandler, AZ, USA
Team size 22 3–50
Rating 4.5 / 5 3.8 / 5
Primary differentiator 46 years of continuous operation with a small, senior team rather than a fast-scaled workforce Explicitly positions itself as senior-led, keeping the team small by design rather than as a growth-stage limitation
Pricing model Project-based electronic and firmware design engagements Contract engineering engagements
Min. engagement Not published Not published
Primary tech stack C, C++, FPGA C, C++, Industrial Embedded Systems
Industries served Wearable technology, Medical devices, Consumer electronics Industrial

Voler Systems vs EES: overview

Voler Systems

Voler Systems has operated from Sunnyvale, California since 1979, a 46-year run that means most of its roughly 22 engineers have deep, overlapping tenure rather than a constantly rotating bench. The firm combines analog circuit design, FPGA programming, and embedded firmware, with a specific focus on ultra-low-power wearable and biomedical sensor products. For a client evaluating team stability, a firm that has retained its identity and core expertise for over four decades signals something different than a firm assembled quickly to staff up for a hiring surge.

EES

Embedded Engineering Solutions (EES) was launched in 2012 and is based in Tempe, Arizona, with reported headcount varying across sources from roughly 3 to 50 employees, most consistently described as a small, senior-led firm. The company specializes in contract firmware, embedded systems, and hardware design engineering for the industrial sector, and its own positioning leans on being senior-led rather than layered with junior staff. For a hiring buyer specifically avoiding a large delivery organization, that's the stated value proposition, not an incidental trait.

Services and capabilities: Voler Systems vs EES

Capability Voler Systems EES
Firmware development
RTOS development
Hardware co-design
Embedded GUI development
Medical device firmware
Functional safety
Technical training
Expert-witness services
Staff augmentation

Tech stack comparison: Voler Systems vs EES

Framework / platform Voler Systems EES
C
C++
FreeRTOS N/A N/A
Zephyr N/A N/A
FPGA N/A
Embedded Linux N/A N/A
LVGL N/A N/A
AWS IoT N/A N/A
ARM Cortex-M N/A N/A

Pricing comparison: Voler Systems vs EES

Criterion Voler Systems EES
Minimum engagement Not published Not published
Engagement models Project-based design engagements Contract firmware and hardware engineering
Rate transparency Not public Not public
Price tier Mid-market Mid-market

Target audience comparison: Voler Systems vs EES

Dimension Voler Systems EES
Best company size Startup to mid-market Startup to mid-market
Best industries Wearable technology, Medical devices, Consumer electronics Industrial
Best use cases Hiring a small, senior team for an ultra-low-power wearable sensor product, FPGA and firmware co-design needing engineers who've solved similar problems repeatedly Hiring a deliberately small, senior-led team for an industrial firmware program, Combined hardware and firmware engineering without separate specialist vendors
Typical project type Project-based design engagements Contract firmware and hardware engineering

Voler Systems vs EES: pros and cons

Voler Systems
+ 46 years of continuous operation suggests a team with deep institutional knowledge, not high turnover
+ Combines analog, FPGA, and firmware disciplines in one small team, reducing the number of specialists a client has to coordinate
+ Ultra-low-power design expertise built up over decades of the same core focus area
+ 22-person size means direct access to senior engineers, not junior staff routed through a larger organization
- 22 engineers means a client needing several concurrent teams should confirm capacity before committing
- Public case study volume is thinner than its tenure would suggest, worth a direct reference conversation
- No published pricing or minimum engagement figure
EES
+ Explicit senior-led positioning means the small team size is a deliberate choice, not just a growth-stage limitation
+ 13 years of operating history as a contract engineering firm for the industrial sector
+ Combines firmware, embedded systems, and hardware design in one team, covering multiple disciplines without separate specialist hires
+ Small size means a client's engagement represents a meaningful share of the firm's total capacity
- Reported employee counts vary widely across sources, from roughly 3 to 50, worth confirming current headcount directly
- Small team size caps capacity for a large or multi-workstream program
- No published pricing or minimum engagement figure

Who should choose Voler Systems?

A typical fit: hiring a small, senior team for an ultra-low-power wearable sensor product.

46 years of continuous operation with a small, senior team rather than a fast-scaled workforce. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Wearable technology, Medical devices, Consumer electronics.

Who should choose EES?

A typical fit: hiring a deliberately small, senior-led team for an industrial firmware program.

Explicitly positions itself as senior-led, keeping the team small by design rather than as a growth-stage limitation. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Industrial.

Decision matrix: Voler Systems vs EES

Your situation Recommended choice
You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope Both offer fixed-price models
You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme Check each company's engagement model
Your budget is at the lower end Compare: Voler Systems (Not published) vs EES (Not published)
You need specialist depth in a specific vertical Voler Systems
You need staff augmentation or team extension Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug
You need consulting before committing to a build Both may offer discovery engagements

Use case fit: Voler Systems vs EES

Use case Voler Systems fit EES fit Winner
Hiring a small, senior team for an ultra-low-power wearable sensor product Strong Strong Both equally
FPGA and firmware co-design needing engineers who've solved similar problems repeatedly Strong Limited Voler Systems
Hiring a deliberately small, senior-led team for an industrial firmware program Strong Strong Both equally
Combined hardware and firmware engineering without separate specialist vendors Limited Strong EES
Fixed-price build Limited Limited Both equally
Staff augmentation Limited Limited Both equally

Verdict: Voler Systems vs EES

Voler Systems (4.5/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Embedded Firmware Development projects. 46 years of continuous operation with a small, senior team rather than a fast-scaled workforce.

EES (3.8/5) is worth a look if you need combined hardware and firmware engineering without separate specialist vendors. If your situation matches that, EES is a competitive option.

Related comparisons

Voler Systems vs EES FAQ

Is Voler Systems better than EES?

Voler Systems (4.5/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Voler Systems's strongest advantage: 46 years of continuous operation suggests a team with deep institutional knowledge, not high turnover. EES's strongest advantage: explicit senior-led positioning means the small team size is a deliberate choice, not just a growth-stage limitation.

How do Voler Systems and EES differ in pricing?

Voler Systems uses project-based electronic and firmware design engagements pricing. EES uses contract engineering engagements pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.

Which is better for enterprise: Voler Systems or EES?

EES is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each developer before shortlisting.

What are the main differences between Voler Systems and EES?

Voler Systems's primary differentiator is: 46 years of continuous operation with a small, senior team rather than a fast-scaled workforce. EES's primary differentiator is: explicitly positions itself as senior-led, keeping the team small by design rather than as a growth-stage limitation. They also differ in team size (22 vs 3–50), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Wearable technology, Medical devices vs Industrial).

Verify all details directly with each developer before making a decision.