Sr ASIC/FPGA Cryptographic Hardware Engineer Job at NPAworldwide in Cambridge

Sr ASIC/FPGA Cryptographic Hardware Engineer

A Senior ASIC/FPGA Hardware Engineer for Cryptographic Systems architects, specifies, and ensures proper design & implementation of hardware-based security solutions.

Overview

The engineer develops the architecture and specification for ASIC or FPGA-based hardware designs. They translate requirements to front-end RTL designers and guide the back-end implementation team to achieve a secure hardware design. The engineer also works with systems-level designers to develop documentation, test plans, and software interfaces to the hardware solution. The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of cryptography systems and hardware security.

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate circuits at transistor-level to implement architecture and requirement specifications.
• Contribute to system-level design and optimize hardware designs for performance, power, and cost.
• Evaluate the hardware feasibility of complex algorithms and requirements.
• Independently contribute to complex chip architectures and designs; independently drive solutions to complex problems.
• Develop requirements, propose ways forward when customer requirements are unclear or incomplete, and adapt to changes in requirements.
• Contribute to business development and proposal activities.
• Develop, document, and teach best practices to less experienced engineers.
• Perform or guide physical layout, including floor-planning, and simulate circuits using extracted parasitics.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities

• Proficiency in integrated circuit design and understanding of ICs, semiconductors, and computer architecture.
• Ability to write detailed design specifications.
• Ability to manage small technical teams; excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong mathematical, organizational, time management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Education

Requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering, or related field. Masters degree preferred.

Experience

Requires 5-7 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 3-5 years with a master’s degree, or 0-2 years with a PhD in ASIC Hardware Engineering or related.

Preferred qualifications

• Cryptography: Knowledge of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is a plus; knowledge of side channel analysis is a plus; knowledge of lightweight cryptography is a plus.
• Hardware Security: Knowledge of secure key storage technologies, hardware primitives such as TRNG and PUF, anti-tamper and TEMPEST is a plus.
• Security protocols: Knowledge of secure boot, attestation, key wrap, certificates, MFA is a plus.
• Cryptography and security concepts: Asymmetric/public key cryptosystems (ECC, RSA), symmetric cryptography (AES, MACs), cryptographic protocols and schemes, memory isolation, secure enclaves.
• Standards: Knowledge and experience of NSA and NIST certification processes is a plus.

Other

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.