Hardware Security Architect

Job Title

Hardware Security Architect

Role Summary

Define and drive hardware security architecture for system-on-chip (SoC) products across end applications. Own the vision for security hardware features, threat mitigations, and HW/SW security boundaries, and coordinate implementation and validation across architecture, RTL, verification, physical design, and software teams.

Work with cross-functional teams to translate security requirements into hardware and firmware specifications, ensure compliance with relevant safety and cybersecurity standards, and provide technical leadership on vulnerability analysis and security validation.

Experience Level

Senior — typically 10–15+ years of experience in SoC or MCU design with a strong focus on hardware security architecture and HW/SW interaction.

Responsibilities

Main responsibilities include defining security architecture, threat analysis, and coordinating secure implementation and validation:

• Define SoC hardware security architecture and requirements, including HSM specification, secure boot/Root of Trust concepts, and cryptographic IP integration strategies.
• Translate security features into high-level HW/SW specifications and derive hardware requirements for product designs.
• Lead threat modeling, risk assessments, and vulnerability analysis; design architectural mitigations and constraints.
• Architect HW/SW security boundaries and co-design secure boot, firmware services, drivers, and runtime protections.
• Specify secure key storage and provisioning approaches (e.g., eFUSE/OTP) and security-aware DFT/TEST strategies.
• Collaborate with architecture, RTL, verification, DFT, physical design, and software teams to integrate security into implementation and validation flows.
• Ensure compliance with cybersecurity and safety standards and drive system-level security validation and PPA trade-off optimization.
• Provide technical leadership, reviews, and guidance on emerging threats, standards, and secure design practices.

Requirements

Must-have skills and experience required for success in this role:

• Extensive hands-on experience in SoC or MCU design with a strong focus on hardware security architecture and HW/SW interactions.
• Deep understanding of SoC architecture, AMBA/AXI-class interconnects, memory subsystems, and enforcement of security policies across HW/SW boundaries.
• Proven experience with threat modeling, risk assessment, security validation, and vulnerability analysis for SoC-based systems.
• Practical background with RTL design, synthesis concepts, and EDA flows sufficient to review and guide secure implementation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for producing specifications, conducting reviews, and aligning stakeholders.
• Proven ability to collaborate across architecture, design, verification, DFT, physical design, firmware/software, and product teams.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with cryptographic IP (AES/SHA/PKA/PUF/PQC), HSMs, secure boot implementations, and secure key provisioning mechanisms.
• Familiarity with security-aware DFT/TEST strategies and balancing test coverage with attack resistance.
• Experience with cybersecurity and automotive/safety standards such as ISO 21434, ISO 26262, or IEC 61508.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical, Electronic, Computer Engineering, 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.