Hardware Security Engineer - Hyperscaler Security Hybrid
About The Position
The Hardware Security Engineer will focus on Hyperscaler Security and help ensure Cisco's next-generation platforms and custom Hyperscaler hardware architectures meet rigorous security, trust, and resilience standards. The role analyzes systems from high-level architecture through component-level silicon and guides multifunctional engineering teams and external partners in delivering secure hardware solutions. The position is part of Cisco's Security & Trust Organization, within the Foundational Security Technologies team and Hardware & Firmware Security Team. These teams develop, integrate, and deploy reusable software and hardware security solutions across Cisco products, with the Hardware & Firmware Security Team focused on hardware- and firmware-level security. The role is hybrid in Raleigh, North Carolina (RTP), with three days onsite.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field with at least 7 years of relevant experience; alternatively, a master's degree with at least 4 years of experience or a PhD with at least 1 year of relevant experience.
- Background in hardware development, such as reading and interpreting system-level schematics, block diagrams, component datasheets, PCB design or review, or register-level hardware documentation.
- Background in hardware security fundamentals, such as Hardware Root of Trust, Secure Boot, hardware and firmware resiliency, cryptographic primitives, or secure key storage.
- Collaborative hardware engineering background, with experience in hardware design, low-level architecture, and security principles.
- Ability to translate technical standards into practical engineering requirements, communicate technical concepts clearly, and collaborate across disciplines while driving multiple parallel initiatives.
Nice To Haves
- Experience crafting, implementing, or evaluating hardware-rooted attestation architectures and device identity mechanisms, such as SPDM or TCG DICE.
- Experience with Hyperscaler and cloud platform architectures, such as OCP specifications, OpenBMC, Caliptra, OpenTitan, or OpenPRoT.
- Experience implementing industry-standard security IP or developing novel hardware security solutions, such as FPGA bitstream security, secure microcontroller architectures, Hardware Root of Trust, or bus encryption.
- Experience with hardware threat modeling or hardware security analysis, such as fault injection, side-channel analysis, or JTAG/debug security.
- Background in hardware security frameworks and standards, such as NIST SP 800-193, NSA CNSA 2.0, TCG DICE/TPM, or global cybersecurity regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate system-level hardware designs, schematics, board architectures, and component datasheets to identify threat vectors, vulnerabilities, and compliance gaps.
- Interpret, apply, and establish security requirements aligned with industry standards and compliance frameworks, including NIST SP 800-193, NSA CNSA 2.0, the EU Cyber Resilience Act, and Cisco's internal Hardware Cisco Secure Development Lifecycle mandates.
- Provide actionable security requirements and architectural design guidance to product teams, hardware design engineers, firmware and BIOS teams, and third-party vendors.
- Author hardware security requirements, review checklists, threat models, compliance white papers, and engineering specifications for internal and external audiences.
- Participate in and manage concurrent security evaluations, design reviews, and compliance workstreams across hardware programs.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution
- Paid parental leave
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Basic life insurance
- Cisco restricted stock unit grants may be available, subject to eligibility and continued employment
- Paid holidays and a floating holiday for non-exempt employees
- Birthday day off, year-end holiday shutdown, and personal wellness days
- Paid vacation or flexible vacation time off, depending on employee classification
- Paid sick time
- Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family issues
- Optional paid volunteer days
- Annual bonuses may be available for non-sales roles, subject to Cisco policies
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
