Hardware Security Engineer CSDL Hybrid
About The Position
The Hardware Security Engineer will join Cisco’s Hardware Cisco Secure Development Lifecycle (HW-CSDL) team within the Security & Trust Organization. The role serves as a technical advisor and security partner to hardware engineering teams, translating hardware security evaluation results into practical implementation guidance, helping teams assess risk, and supporting designs that meet HW-CSDL standards and global security regulations. The engineer reviews hardware architectures from the system level down to boards, ASICs/FPGAs, power and management controllers, and discrete components to identify vulnerabilities and improve resilience. The role also interprets emerging industry and government standards, produces security guidance and reference materials, contributes to multiple concurrent engagements and initiatives, and promotes security awareness among hardware design communities. The position is hybrid in Raleigh, North Carolina (RTP), with three days onsite. The application window is expected to close on November 29, 2026.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field and 7 or more years of relevant hardware design or engineering experience, or a master’s degree and 4 or more years of experience.
- Background in hardware development, including the ability to read and interpret system-level schematics, block diagrams, component datasheets, PCB designs or reviews, or register-level hardware documentation.
- Background in hardware security fundamentals, such as Hardware Root of Trust, Secure Boot, hardware and firmware resiliency, cryptographic primitives (symmetric or asymmetric encryption, hashing, and digital signatures), or secure key storage.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with AI-assisted development and automation for hardware security applications, such as LLM-assisted compliance checks, automated review scripts, or security analysis tooling.
- Experience with scripting, such as Python or Bash, and RTL design or verification, such as Verilog or SystemVerilog, for hardware security solutions development.
- Background in hardware security frameworks and standards, such as NIST SP 800-193, NSA CNSA 2.0, TCG DICE or TPM, OCP Secure Boot, IEEE 2883, or global cybersecurity regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act.
- Experience with hardware threat modeling or hardware security analysis, such as fault injection, side-channel analysis, or JTAG/debug security.
- Experience participating in hardware security industry forums, working groups, or standards bodies.
Responsibilities
- Partner with hardware product teams to analyze hardware security evaluation results and provide actionable design guidance for HW-CSDL compliance.
- Review hardware architectures from the system level through boards, ASICs/FPGAs, power and management controllers, and discrete components to identify vulnerabilities and design in resilience.
- Interpret and apply industry and government standards, including NIST SP 800-193, CNSA 2.0, the EU Cyber Resilience Act, and IEEE 2883, as technical guidance and design requirements.
- Author security guidelines, reference architectures, implementation guides, and best-practice documentation for engineering audiences.
- Participate in, lead, and balance multiple parallel engagements, consulting efforts, and security initiatives across product families.
- Educate and influence hardware design communities outside the Security & Trust Organization to promote a security-first product development culture.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance, subject to plan eligibility rules.
- 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution.
- Paid parental leave.
- Short- and long-term disability coverage.
- Basic life insurance.
- Potential eligibility for Cisco restricted stock unit grants, subject to continued employment and vesting terms.
- Paid holidays and a floating holiday for non-exempt employees.
- Paid birthday day off, year-end holiday shutdown, and paid personal wellness days.
- Paid vacation or flexible vacation time off, depending on employee classification.
- Paid sick time and carryover of unused sick time, subject to Cisco policy.
- Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family issues.
- Optional paid volunteer days.
- Annual bonuses for eligible non-sales employees, subject to Cisco policies.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
