Principal Engineer, Firmware Security

Job Title

Principal Engineer, Firmware Security

Role Summary

The Principal Security Firmware Engineer will design, implement, and drive security features for Micron's enterprise SSD products across the full Security Development Lifecycle. The role focuses on cryptography-based solutions including data encryption, Root of Trust, Secure Boot, Device Attestation, and Self-Encrypting Devices, and on transitioning products to post-quantum cryptography.

This position works across SoC, FPGA, and simulation platforms and collaborates with firmware, hardware, and product teams to meet industry standards (OCP, TCG, NVMe, PCIe) and certification requirements.

Experience Level

Senior — requires 10+ years of experience in security firmware development.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include architecture, implementation, verification, and lifecycle management of firmware security features for enterprise storage.

• Design and develop security features for enterprise SSDs across the product lifecycle.
• Architect, implement, and debug cryptography-based solutions: data encryption, Root of Trust, Secure Boot and Update, Device Attestation, and SEDs.
• Lead transition to post-quantum cryptography algorithms (e.g., LMS, ML-DSA, ML-KEM) for future products.
• Implement security protocols aligned with OCP, TCG, NVMe, PCIe, IEEE 1667, and DMTF SPDM.
• Debug security firmware on SoC, FPGA, and simulation platforms using tools such as JTAG, memory dumps, and bus analyzers.
• Drive security development activities: threat modeling, architecture reviews, security code review, fuzzing, vulnerability testing, and certification support (FIPS, OCP S.A.F.E.).
• Collaborate cross-functionally with firmware, hardware, and product teams to ensure design-through-production security requirements are met.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience are listed first; preferred skills follow.

• Must-have: 10+ years of security firmware development experience.
• Must-have: Hands-on applied cryptography and firmware security: AES-XTS, Root of Trust, Secure Boot, Device Attestation, TRNG/DRBG, Key Management, and PKI.
• Must-have: Post-quantum cryptography expertise and understanding of embedded system constraints for PQC algorithms.
• Must-have: Knowledge of enterprise storage security standards (PCIe, NVMe, OCP, TCG, IEEE 1667, DMTF SPDM).
• Must-have: Proficiency in C and Python for firmware development.

Nice-to-have / preferred:

• Experience debugging firmware on SoC, FPGA, and simulation platforms and resolving protocol compatibility issues using JTAG, memory dumps, and bus analyzers.
• Experience with Rust for firmware development.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted developer tools for coding, testing, and code review (with human validation).
• Experience with Agile and Secure Development Lifecycle practices, CI/CD, static/dynamic analysis, fuzz testing, and code review processes.
• Technical leadership in security firmware architecture and multi-functional execution.
• Embedded firmware experience with controller initialization, boot/update processes, RTOS, IPC, and NAND Flash management.
• Participation in industry standards groups (TCG, OCP, DMTF, PCI-SIG) and experience with Caliptra Root of Trust and OCP L.O.C.K. integration.

Education Requirements

Required: Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering, Embedded Systems, Cyber Security, or a related field. Preferred: Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering, Embedded Systems, Cyber Security, or a related field.

About the Company

Company: Micron Technology

Headquarters: Boise, Idaho, USA

Micron Technology is a global leader in memory and storage solutions, dedicated to transforming how the world uses information. The company offers a diverse portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND, and NOR memory products under the Micron and Crucial brands. With a commitment to customer focus and technological innovation, Micron drives advancements in artificial intelligence, 5G, and other data-centric applications, empowering users to learn, communicate, and progress.