Senior/Staff Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer

Job Title

Senior/Staff Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer

Role Summary

Hands-on senior engineer responsible for automotive cybersecurity at the system and SoC levels within Qualcomm's Automotive Security team. The role focuses on assessing and auditing hardware cybersecurity processes and products against ISO/SAE 21434, driving continuous process improvements, and working across SoC design, IP, software, functional safety, quality, and customer teams.

Experience Level

Senior; typically requires 8+ years of systems engineering, VLSI design, hardware engineering, or related experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include audits, assessments, training, and cross-functional collaboration to implement and improve cybersecurity processes for hardware/SoC products:

• Enhance hardware development processes and related artifacts to meet automotive cybersecurity standards.
• Develop and deliver ISO/SAE 21434 training with emphasis on practical application.
• Facilitate and review TARA (Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment) and VARA (Vulnerability Analysis and Risk Assessment) activities.
• Independently conduct cybersecurity management system audits and product assessments against ISO/SAE 21434; provide actionable feedback, identify gaps, and track remediation.
• Collaborate with SoC design teams, IP teams, third-party IP vendors, software teams, functional safety and cybersecurity managers, quality teams, and customers to deploy defined cybersecurity processes.
• Participate in external and customer cybersecurity assessments and support corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor automotive cybersecurity best practices, emerging standards, and regulatory trends and influence stakeholders with data-driven insights.

Requirements

Degree expectations are listed separately under Education Requirements. Below are the technical and experience requirements extracted from the posting.

Must-have:

• Strong expertise in automotive cybersecurity at the system and SoC levels.
• Deep, practical knowledge of ISO/SAE 21434 and experience applying it to hardware and SoC development.
• Proven experience leading process audits and product assessments against ISO/SAE 21434.
• Experience performing TARA and VARA activities.
• Familiarity with product development flow and validation for hardware/SoC.
• Ability to independently assess, audit, and influence cross-functional engineering teams and track follow-up actions.
• Approximately 8+ years of systems engineering, VLSI design, or related hardware engineering experience.

Nice-to-have:

• 5+ years of automotive experience in semiconductor hardware development.
• Familiarity with ISO 26262 and ISO 21448 (SOTIF).
• Lead auditor certification for ISO 9001/IATF 16949.
• Familiarity with ASPICE and software aspects of automotive safety functions.

Education Requirements

The posting references Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degrees in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Information Systems, Communications, or related engineering fields. The employer also indicates degree-plus-experience combinations and accepts equivalent practical experience. Relevant audit certifications (for example, ISO lead auditor credentials) are listed as preferred.

About the Company

Company: Qualcomm

Headquarters: San Diego, California, United States

Qualcomm is a global leader in semiconductor and telecommunications equipment, specializing in mobile technologies and innovations. Known for its Adreno GPUs, the company provides solutions enabling advancements in mobile gaming, AI, VR/AR, and autonomous driving. Qualcomm's cutting-edge technology and commitment to high-performance, power-efficient designs drive the evolution of mobile graphics and connectivity worldwide.