Embedded Hardware Security Research Engineer

Riverside Research is seeking an mid-level Embedded Hardware Security Research Engineer to work alongside our US Air Force (USAF) and Department of Defense (DoD) partners to develop tamper-protected microelectronic devices and intellectual property (IP). This position is an mid-level engineering role that provides a technical path and opportunity to become a Subject Matter Expert (SME) role in the understanding of advanced attacks against state-of-the-art integrated circuits and the design and development of protective controls to mitigate such attacks. You will work with nationally recognized hardware security experts employing a range of microelectronics test equipment, specialized software, and computing resources to provide exceptional support to our customers. This research work is conducted on-site in Riverside Research's microelectronics and embedded systems security laboratory in Beavercreek, Ohio.

Performs research supporting assessment of state-of-the-art attack effectiveness against various microelectronic devices.
• Supports development of hardware algorithms for secure microelectronic devices (microcontrollers, FPGAs, etc.).
• Analyzes secure architectures to identify vulnerabilities.
• Develops, maintains, adjusts, and reports on project status and timelines.
• Collaborates with Government research leads to develop and present papers across a variety of DoD conferences and technical interchanges.
• Supports Principal Investigator and Program Manager in the development and documentation of technical requirements for approved research areas.
• Interacts with third-party vendors to collect appropriate source information as requested by program, leadership.
• Documents findings in technical reports and presentations.
• Develops and presents technical briefings to technical audiences and conferences.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics, and 5 years direct experience, through courses or previous employment, or a Master's degree and 3 years direct experience or a PhD without experience.
• Extensive experience developing IP with Verilog, VHDL, or SystemC.
• Previous experience programming microcontrollers or microprocessors.
• Proven knowledge on the design of security features of FPGAs or ASICs.
• Fluency in programming and/or scripting in C, C++, Rust, or Python.
• Previous experience in one or more of the following topics: side channel analysis, physically unclonable functions, reverse engineering, supply chain security, voltage or clock glitching.
• Experience performing statistical analysis and performing data analysis.
• Extensive experience using lab equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, etc.).
• Proven ability to work semi-independently on assigned tasks with limited scope and with technical supervision in a highly collaborative team-based R&D environment.
• Experience in creating technical reports, developing research papers and presentations supporting research areas.
• Willing to travel a few times per year.
• An active Secret clearance is required to start and a Top Secret clearance and additional program approvals must be obtained and maintained for this position.

Desired:

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics
• Active security clearance.
• Previous experience applying microelectronics to one or more of the following areas: Signal Processing, RF, Secure Communications, Machine Learning, Software Verification, or Cybersecurity
• Understanding of cryptographic algorithms and protocols, or their implementation in embedded technologies including microcontrollers, FPGAs, ASICs.
• Familiarity implementing hardware attacks including side-channel, glitching, and their countermeasures.
• Familiarity using Virtual Machines (VirtualBox, VMWare, WSL, etc.), Linux OS, and other virtualization techniques
• Understanding of sub-100 nm CMOS and FinFET device fabrication, assembly, and packaging including 3DICs.