Product Prototyping Expert

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Location: Remote (within the countries we operate in); Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, France, Germany, UK. Some travel to our offices will be required from time-to-time
Department: Product

Product Prototyping Expert 

Department: Product

 

💼 About the role

PQShield is looking for an Experienced Product Prototyping Expert - Hardware / Low-Level Firmware to join the core Product Security & Innovation (PS&I) unit. This is a critical role focused on accelerating the transfer of cryptographic research, patented IP, and standards into commercially viable products.

Candidates should hold a degree in Computer Engineering/Computer Science or equivalent with at least 5 years of experience, coupled with an open, research-oriented mindset.

You will operate as the technical bridge between R&D, Product Security & Innovation, and core Engineering, directly contributing to the company’s strategic goal of translating innovation into a durable product pipeline.

 

⚒️ What you’ll be doing

The primary focus is on the incubation, de-risking, and maturation of new concepts through high-fidelity, hardware and low-level firmware prototypes.

  • Develop and build functional prototypes and reference implementations for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and PQ/T hybrid primitives on embedded hardware platforms, primarily FPGAs and MCUs.
  • Translate patented IP and cryptographic research into tangible, de-risked product artifacts and system architectures suitable for commercialization.
  • Focus on low-level firmware integration and bare-metal programming to validate hardware/software co-design and secure boot flows.
  • Perform deep performance and security trade-off evaluations, including latency, resource utilization (area and power), and security against side-channel and physical attacks.
  • Drive innovation by actively contributing ideas and identifying new opportunities.
  • Document all technical artifacts, firmware interfaces, and validation results in comprehensive, handover-ready application notes and reports for Product Management and Engineering.
  • Collaborate with R&D, Product Management, and core Engineering to ensure a disciplined, repeatable flow of innovation from the Incubation Phase into the commercial product roadmap.
  • Actively contribute to the strategic activation and commercial embodiment of PQShield’s patent portfolio.

 

🎯 Required Skills And Qualifications

  • Strong experience with bare-metal programming and low-level firmware development for embedded systems.
  • Knowledge of firmware development tools and debugging techniques.
  • Hands-on debugging skills with hardware tools (multimeter, logic analyzer, oscilloscope).
  • Proven experience with FPGA development and prototyping.
  • Familiarity with using cryptographic hardware and security testing methodologies.
  • Deep understanding of security principles (secure boot, roll back protection, input validation, trusted execution).
  • Experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) and embedded Linux environments.
  • Excellent communication, teamwork, and technical documentation abilities, particularly for detailed handover specifications.
  • 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.
  • Track record of successfully prototyping and de-risking new hardware/firmware concepts from a strategic patent or research input.
  • Knowledge of timing attacks, fuzzing, tamper resistance and/or power side-channel security countermeasures.
  • Proficiency in hardware description languages (HDLs) such as Verilog or VHDL.
  • Strong understanding of digital design principles.
  • Usage of AI tools for productivity gains.

 

🖥️ Specific Technologies You Are Confident Using

  • C, assembly on MCUs (STM32, RH850, RPI2350...).
  • Python (to communicate with the board from a host computer and test automation).
  • Handling of FPGA boards and interfaces (UART, I2C, SPI, QSPI flash...).
  • Linux as development OS.
  • Nice to have:
    • Familiarity with RISC-V architecture.
    • Rust/Zig.
    • Renode.
    • HDL tools like Vivado, Verilator, TCL
    • Development tools like Github, Gitlab, JIRA, CMake
    • Fusesoc, OpenRoad, SpinalHDL…

 

🏆 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.

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