Voler Systems vs NOVO Engineering: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Voler Systems (4.5/5) edges ahead of NOVO Engineering (4.3/5) overall. Voler Systems is the better choice for long-track-record vendor for ultra-low-power wearable and biomedical hardware+firmware. NOVO Engineering is the stronger option for multi-discipline RFPs spanning mechanical, electrical, and firmware. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Voler Systems vs NOVO Engineering: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Voler Systems | NOVO Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1979 | 2004 |
| HQ | Sunnyvale, CA, USA | Vista, CA, USA |
| Team size | 22 | 48–60 |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | 46 years of continuous operation combining analog, FPGA, and firmware disciplines specifically for ultra-low-power sensor products | Systems-engineering scope built for programs that bundle mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements into one vendor relationship |
| Pricing model | Project-based electronic and firmware design engagements | Fixed-scope product engineering engagements |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | C, C++, FPGA | C, C++, Embedded Systems Programming |
| Industries served | Wearable technology, Medical devices, Consumer electronics | Medical devices, Biotech, Printing technology, Commercial products |
Voler Systems vs NOVO Engineering: overview
Voler Systems
Voler Systems has operated from Sunnyvale, California since 1979, a 46-year track record that few independent electronic design consultancies can match, with a current team of roughly 22 engineers. The firm's scope combines analog circuit design, FPGA programming, and embedded firmware, with a specific emphasis on ultra-low-power wearable and biomedical sensor products where power budget, sensor integration, and wireless transmission all have to be engineered together. For a procurement evaluation weighing longevity and financial stability as a vendor-risk factor, Voler's decades of continuous operation carry real weight.
NOVO Engineering
NOVO Engineering was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Vista, California near San Diego, with a second location near Minneapolis and a team reported between 48 and 60 engineers averaging 16 years of experience each. The firm's engagement scope covers hardware and software development, systems engineering, custom automation, and pre-production manufacturing support across medical devices, biotech instrumentation, and commercial products. For an RFP that bundles mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements into one program, NOVO's systems-engineering framing is built specifically for that kind of multi-discipline scope.
Services and capabilities: Voler Systems vs NOVO Engineering
| Capability | Voler Systems | NOVO Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Firmware development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hardware / PCB co-design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Functional safety / certification | ✗ | ✗ |
| Defense / aerospace credentials | ✗ | ✗ |
| Medical device firmware | ✓ | ✓ |
| Secure firmware updates | ✗ | ✗ |
| IoT connectivity | ✓ | ✗ |
| Embedded Linux | ✗ | ✗ |
| Staff augmentation | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Voler Systems vs NOVO Engineering
| Framework / platform | Voler Systems | NOVO Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| C | ✓ | ✓ |
| C++ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| PCB Design | N/A | N/A |
| FPGA | ✓ | N/A |
| MISRA C | N/A | N/A |
| ITAR | N/A | N/A |
| AWS IoT | N/A | N/A |
| ASIL | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Voler Systems vs NOVO Engineering
| Criterion | Voler Systems | NOVO Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Project-based design engagements | Fixed-scope product engineering, Pre-production manufacturing support |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Voler Systems vs NOVO Engineering
| Dimension | Voler Systems | NOVO Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Wearable technology, Medical devices, Consumer electronics | Medical devices, Biotech, Printing technology |
| Best use cases | Ultra-low-power hardware and firmware co-design for a wearable sensor RFP, FPGA-based signal processing bundled with firmware for a custom device | Multi-discipline RFP bundling mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements, Biotech instrumentation program requiring custom automation alongside firmware |
| Typical project type | Project-based design engagements | Fixed-scope product engineering |
Voler Systems vs NOVO Engineering: pros and cons
| Voler Systems | |
|---|---|
| + | 46 years of continuous operation is an unusually strong vendor-stability signal for a long-term or multi-phase RFP |
| + | Combines analog, FPGA, and firmware disciplines, reducing the number of specialist vendors a procurement team needs to coordinate |
| + | Ultra-low-power design is a named specialty backed by a long history of wearable and biomedical sensor projects |
| + | Small, senior team gives direct engineering access rather than routing through account management layers |
| - | 22 engineers means an RFP requiring several concurrent large workstreams should confirm capacity before committing |
| - | Public case study volume is thinner than its tenure would suggest, so verifying specific past programs needs a direct conversation |
| - | No published pricing or minimum engagement figure |
| NOVO Engineering | |
|---|---|
| + | Engineering team averages 16 years of experience per engineer, a strong bench-depth signal for a technical evaluation |
| + | Systems engineering scope covers mechanical, electrical, and firmware together, matching how many hardware RFPs are actually structured |
| + | Two US locations near San Diego and Minneapolis give onsite coverage options for a geographically constrained RFP |
| + | Pre-production manufacturing support extends past firmware delivery into getting a product built |
| - | 48 to 60 engineers caps how many large concurrent RFP-scale programs the firm can run simultaneously |
| - | No published pricing or minimum engagement figure |
| - | Firmware is one discipline inside a broader systems-engineering practice, not a standalone firmware specialist brand |
Who should choose Voler Systems?
A typical fit: ultra-low-power hardware and firmware co-design for a wearable sensor RFP.
46 years of continuous operation combining analog, FPGA, and firmware disciplines specifically for ultra-low-power sensor products. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Wearable technology, Medical devices, Consumer electronics.
Who should choose NOVO Engineering?
A typical fit: multi-discipline RFP bundling mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements.
Systems-engineering scope built for programs that bundle mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements into one vendor relationship. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Medical devices, Biotech, Printing technology, Commercial products.
Decision matrix: Voler Systems vs NOVO Engineering
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | NOVO Engineering |
| 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 NOVO Engineering (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | NOVO Engineering |
| 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 NOVO Engineering
| Use case | Voler Systems fit | NOVO Engineering fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-low-power hardware and firmware co-design for a wearable sensor RFP | Strong | Limited | Voler Systems |
| FPGA-based signal processing bundled with firmware for a custom device | Strong | Limited | Voler Systems |
| Multi-discipline RFP bundling mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements | Limited | Strong | NOVO Engineering |
| Biotech instrumentation program requiring custom automation alongside firmware | Limited | Strong | NOVO Engineering |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Voler Systems vs NOVO Engineering
Voler Systems (4.5/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Embedded Firmware projects. 46 years of continuous operation combining analog, FPGA, and firmware disciplines specifically for ultra-low-power sensor products.
NOVO Engineering (4.3/5) is worth a look if you need biotech instrumentation program requiring custom automation alongside firmware. If your situation matches that, NOVO Engineering is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Voler Systems vs NOVO Engineering FAQ
Is Voler Systems better than NOVO Engineering?
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 is an unusually strong vendor-stability signal for a long-term or multi-phase RFP. NOVO Engineering's strongest advantage: engineering team averages 16 years of experience per engineer, a strong bench-depth signal for a technical evaluation.
How do Voler Systems and NOVO Engineering differ in pricing?
Voler Systems uses project-based electronic and firmware design engagements pricing. NOVO Engineering uses fixed-scope product 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 NOVO Engineering?
NOVO Engineering is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each service provider before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Voler Systems and NOVO Engineering?
Voler Systems's primary differentiator is: 46 years of continuous operation combining analog, FPGA, and firmware disciplines specifically for ultra-low-power sensor products. NOVO Engineering's primary differentiator is: systems-engineering scope built for programs that bundle mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements into one vendor relationship. They also differ in team size (22 vs 48–60), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Wearable technology, Medical devices vs Medical devices, Biotech).
Verify all details directly with each service provider before making a decision.