Security Engineer, Hardware Security

Saronic•Washington, DC

About The Position

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms. Security at Saronic is a force multiplier. We're seeking a Security Engineer focused on hardware, embedded systems, and firmware security to own the security posture of Saronic's vessel hardware platforms from silicon to system. You will be the technical authority on hardware root of trust, secure boot, firmware integrity, embedded system hardening, and the security of third-party hardware integrations. Your work ensures that every component on the vessel is resilient against tampering, exploitation, and supply chain compromise, designed in from the start and maintained across the fleet lifecycle.

Requirements

10+ years of hands-on experience in hardware security, embedded systems security, firmware security, or a closely related security engineering role
Deep expertise in hardware hacking techniques including fault injection, side-channel attacks, JTAG/SWD exploitation, bus sniffing/injection, and physical security assessments
Demonstrated experience designing and implementing secure boot chains, hardware root of trust, and secure firmware update mechanisms in production systems
Strong experience assessing third-party hardware integrations and evaluating supply chain security risks
Deep knowledge of embedded Linux security hardening, kernel security, and mandatory access control frameworks
Experience with operational technology security, industrial protocols, or control system security
Proficiency in C, C++, Python, or Rust in the context of firmware, embedded, or systems-level security work, and with hardware security testing tools
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Nice To Haves

Experience in defense, aerospace, robotics, autonomy, maritime, or other high-assurance environments
Experience with autonomous systems, unmanned vehicles, or safety-critical embedded platforms
Experience with RTOS, microcontroller security, or resource-constrained device environments
Knowledge of CAN bus, NMEA protocols, maritime communication systems, RF/GPS/GNSS security, or ICS security standards
Familiarity with defense or safety-critical compliance frameworks (NIST SP 800-53, IEC 62443, Common Criteria, or equivalent)
Relevant certifications such as OSEE, GXPN, GSE, or hardware-focused credentials

Responsibilities

Conduct hardware security assessments including fault injection, side-channel analysis, interface evaluation, and bus protocol analysis across Saronic-built and third-party hardware including sensors, radios, navigation systems, propulsion controllers, and communication modules
Evaluate and harden physical interfaces, debug ports, maintenance access points, and removable media interfaces on vessel hardware
Evaluate supply chain security risks for hardware components and recommend provenance validation, anti-tamper, and attestation controls
Develop and maintain a hardware security testing capability including tooling, methodology, and repeatable test procedures
Design and implement secure boot chains establishing hardware root of trust from power-on through application launch, integrating TPM, secure elements, and HSMs for device identity, key storage, measured boot, and remote attestation
Design and implement secure firmware update mechanisms including signed updates, rollback protection, and verified delivery across the fleet
Own the cryptographic key lifecycle for hardware-bound keys, including provisioning, rotation, revocation, and escrow
Harden embedded Linux systems on vessel platforms, including kernel configuration, mandatory access controls, secure IPC, and attack surface reduction
Secure operational technology protocols and interfaces used in vessel control systems, propulsion, navigation, and sensor fusion including CAN bus, NMEA, and maritime/industrial communication protocols
Define security boundaries, trust zones, and segmentation strategies for vessel-internal compute and communication architectures
Drive threat modeling across vessel hardware subsystems and translate findings into actionable engineering requirements
Produce secure-by-design reference architectures and define hardware and firmware security standards, testing requirements, and acceptance criteria integrated into engineering workflows

Benefits

Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents
Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays
Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents
Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses
Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match
Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the companyâs success
Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline
Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office