Product Prototyping Expert - Firmware
Product Prototyping Expert - Firmware Integration
Reports to: VP Product
Department: Product
💼 About the role
PQShield is looking for an Experienced Product Prototyping Expert - Firmware Integration to expand our product team. Candidates should hold a degree in Computer Engineering/Computer Science or equivalent. We hope that you have at least 5 years of experience, but also an open, research-oriented mindset.
We have been established since 2018, and you would be directly working with the founders, the sales and marketing team, the R&D team and the engineering team within the product team. This is a great opportunity for career progression and to get a head start in a rapidly expanding segment of the embedded industry (Post-Quantum Cryptography, embedded).
⚒️ What you’ll be doing
- Integrate and test Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and PQ/T hybrid cryptographic primitives on hardware platforms, primarily FPGAs.
 - Develop and implement demonstrators around PQShield products, optimizing for performance, cost, and security trade-offs.
 - Evaluate and measure performance metrics including latency, resource utilization (area and power consumption), and security against physical attacks.
 - Document firmware interfaces, hardware setups, test procedures, and results in comprehensive application notes.
 - Collaborate with software and hardware engineers to ensure seamless system integration, and with other teams, e.g. Sales, Marketing, Business Development
 - Contribute to product requirements, features, and roadmaps.
 
🎯 Required Skills And Qualifications
- Bare metal programming of embedded systems.
 - Knowledge of firmware development tools and debugging techniques.
 - Hands on debugging skills (multimeter, logic analyzer…).
 - Understanding of security principles (secure boot, roll back protection, input validation…).
 - Experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) and embedded Linux environments.
 - Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
 - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
 
👍 Preferred Skills And Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of experience.
 - Programming Experience on CHERI RISC-V devices
 - Track record of successfully prototyping firmware demonstrators.
 - Knowledge of timing attacks, fuzzing, tamper resistance and/or power side-channel security countermeasures.
 
🖥️ Specific Technologies You Are Confident Using
- C, assembly on MCUs (STM32, RH850, RPI2350…).
 - Python (to communicate with the board from a host computer).
 - Handling of FPGA boards
 - UART, I2C, SPI, QSPI flash…
 - Familiarity with RISC-V architecture and CHERI concepts is highly advantageous.
 - Rust/Zig are nice to have
 - Renode is nice to have
 - Linux as development OS
 - Development tools like Github, Gitlab, JIRA
 
🏆Some of the perks of working with us:
- Unparalleled opportunities to learn and accelerate career development.
 - A collaborative, team environment with people who truly love what they do.
 - Competitive salary and share option scheme.
 - Flexible and hybrid working, and a working from home budget.
 - Private health insurance for yourself and your family.
 - 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and two wellness weeks).
 - 50% gym membership discount.
 - The chance to work with a spirited, smart, and friendly team!
 
PQShield is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We’re passionate about talent and proud to foster an inclusive environment; all applicants will be considered regardless of their gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.