Senior ASIC/FPGA Hardware Engineer - Cryptographic Systems

Location: Cambridge, MA Clearance Required: Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance

A leading innovator in secure hardware technologies is seeking a Senior ASIC/FPGA Hardware Engineer to architect and implement advanced cryptographic systems. This role is ideal for engineers with deep expertise in digital hardware design and a strong foundation in cryptography and hardware security.

Role Overview

You will lead the design and specification of ASIC and FPGA-based security solutions, translating high-level cryptographic requirements into robust hardware architectures. Working closely with RTL designers, back-end implementation teams, and systems engineers, you’ll ensure secure, efficient, and scalable hardware designs that meet stringent performance and compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and specify secure hardware solutions using ASIC/FPGA platforms
  
• Guide RTL and physical design teams through implementation and optimization
  
• Collaborate with systems engineers to define documentation, test plans, and software interfaces
  
• Design and simulate transistor-level circuits to meet performance, power, and cost targets
  
• Evaluate feasibility of complex cryptographic algorithms in hardware
  
• Drive technical solutions independently, even with incomplete or evolving requirements
  
• Contribute to proposal development and mentor junior engineers
  
• Support physical layout, floor-planning, and parasitic-aware simulations
  

Requirements

Cryptographic Systems & Protocols

• Asymmetric cryptography: ECC, RSA
  
• Symmetric cryptography: AES, MAC, block cipher modes
  
• Protocols: key exchange, digital signatures, key wrap
  
• Secure design: memory isolation, secure enclaves
  
• Secure protocols: secure boot, attestation, MFA, certificates, key split
  

Digital Hardware Design

• ASIC/FPGA architecture and implementation
  
• RTL development in SystemVerilog, Verilog, or VHDL
  
• Translation of system-level requirements into hardware specifications
  
• Optimization for performance, power, and area
  

Skills & Abilities

• Proficiency in integrated circuit design and computer architecture
  
• Strong mathematical foundation, including number theory and coding theory
  
• Ability to write detailed design specifications and manage small technical teams
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving abilities
  

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field required; Master’s preferred
  
• 5–7 years (BS), 3–5 years (MS), or 0–2 years (PhD) of relevant experience in ASIC/FPGA hardware engineering
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of post-quantum cryptography (PQC), side-channel analysis, and lightweight cryptography
  
• Experience with secure key storage, TRNGs, PUFs, anti-tamper, and TEMPEST techniques
  
• Familiarity with NSA/NIST certification processes