Engineering Intern - Integration of Post‑Quantum Cryptography on Embedded Microcontroller
NXP SemiconductorsJob Title
Engineering Intern - Integration of Post‑Quantum Cryptography on Embedded Microcontroller
Role Summary
Join the Saclay team to integrate standardized post‑quantum cryptographic algorithms into next‑generation embedded microcontrollers. This internship combines research, software porting, and performance benchmarking to evaluate software implementations and hardware acceleration options.
Experience Level
Entry-level internship for a final‑year engineering student or Master 2 (Bac+5).
Responsibilities
The intern will contribute to software integration, testing and evaluation of post‑quantum cryptography on an embedded development board.
- Perform a state‑of‑the‑art study on post‑quantum cryptography: quantum threat, algorithm comparison, embedded TLS libraries, and market needs.
- Evaluate and experiment with existing PQC software solutions and libraries.
- Integrate NIST‑standardized PQC algorithms on the FRDM‑MCXN947 development board.
- Port implementations using open‑source libraries such as liboqs.
- Benchmark software implementations and compare against SHA‑3 hardware acceleration.
- As project progress allows, evaluate platforms with dedicated PQC hardware accelerators.
Requirements
Core technical skills and personal attributes required for the internship.
- Must-have: Solid knowledge of embedded programming and microcontroller architectures.
- Interest in cybersecurity and cryptography; analytical mindset and autonomy to perform R&D tasks.
- Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Nice-to-have: Familiarity with liboqs or other PQC libraries, experience with TLS stacks for embedded systems, and exposure to benchmarking or hardware acceleration (SHA‑3).
Education Requirements
Final‑year engineering student (école d'ingénieur) or Master 2 (Bac+5) level. Preferred specializations: Embedded Systems, Cryptography, Electronics, or a related technical field.
About the Company
Company: NXP Semiconductors
Headquarters: Nijmegen, Netherlands
NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a global semiconductor company that provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions. With over 45,000 employees and operations in more than 35 countries, NXP is a leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, catering to automotive, industrial IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, advancing a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through technology.
