Staff Cybersecurity Architect

Field AI•Irvine, CA

About The Position

Field AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We are building risk-aware, reliable, and field-ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. We go beyond typical data-driven approaches or pure transformer-based architectures, and are charting a new course, with already-globally-deployed solutions delivering real-world results and rapidly improving models through real-field applications. We are seeking a Staff Cybersecurity Architect who lives and breathes security at every layerâfrom silicon to cloud. This role requires a visionary technologist with deep, hands-on experience in securing (and breaking) hardware and software systems, and someone who is deeply embedded in both professional and grassroots cybersecurity communities. You will define architectural strategy, guide implementation, and lead cross-functional teams to build resilient, trustworthy systems from first principles.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in cybersecurity architecture, offensive/defensive security engineering, or equivalent deep technical domains.
A proven record securing complex, multi-layered systems, spanning hardware, firmware, OS, networks, and applications.
Demonstrated experience in penetration testing, exploit development, reverse engineering, and vulnerability research.
Deep understanding of cryptography, authentication/authorization systems, and secure protocol design.
Hands-on experience with secure firmware development, trusted execution environments, secure boot, embedded security, HSMs, and trusted computing technologies.
Experience designing protections against software supply chain attacks, including secure build pipelines and dependency risk management.
Strong ability to reason holistically across large systems, identifying risk tradeoffs and mitigating vulnerabilities at scale.
A track record of non-linear problem solving, thriving in ambiguous, high-stakes, multi-layered environments.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain highly technical topics to audiences ranging from engineers to executives to external partners.
A deeply curious mindset, relentless follow-through, and a passion for understanding systems all the way down to first principles.

Nice To Haves

A recognized presence in the security community through CTFs, open-source contributions, conference talks, published research, or academic collaborations.
Experience building security teams, scaling security programs, or leading architectural transformation across organizations.
Familiarity with security compliance frameworks (FedRAMP, NIST, ISO 27001) while maintaining a focus on practical security outcomes over checkbox compliance.
Advanced degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or equivalent real-world expertise.
A background in securing distributed robotics platforms, embedded edge deployments, and real-world customer environments where security needs to work outside the lab.

Responsibilities

Define and lead enterprise-wide cybersecurity architecture across hardware, firmware, embedded systems, networks, robotics deployments, and cloud infrastructure.
Threat model complex systems end-to-end, designing security controls and patterns that protect against sophisticated adversaries, including nation-stateâlevel actors.
Drive secure-by-design initiatives, ensuring security is embedded early in product and system lifecycles rather than bolted on later.
Establish architectural governance, mentoring engineering teams and setting standards for modern security practices across the organization.
Design and enforce secure build and release pipelines, including artifact signing, provenance, dependency risk management, and supply chain defenses.
Own final security architecture decisions, including risk acceptance recommendations, and hold authority to block launches when material risks are not mitigated.
Serve as the senior technical authority during major security incidents, guiding investigation, response, and long-term remediation.
Conduct and guide deep technical security reviews of hardware designs, low-level software, distributed systems, and customer-facing deployments.
Lead offensive and defensive security research, including reverse engineering, vulnerability discovery, exploit development, and mitigation engineering.
Prototype and validate security assumptions in real-world conditions, using adversarial emulation, proof-of-concept work, and hands-on testing.
Partner cross-functionally with engineering, IT, product, and operations to align security architecture with business needs, customer requirements, and technical realities.
Represent the organization internally and externally as a senior security authority, influencing standards, processes, and long-term direction.
Engage with the broader security community, monitoring emerging threats and translating intelligence into proactive measures that strengthen systems over time.