Cryptographer in Hardware Security (m/f/d)

DEKRA Digital & Product Solutions; Málaga; On-site; EUR 38,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Hybrid/On-site work in Málaga

Professional development

Job summary

DEKRA Digital Trust Services in Málaga is seeking a proactive security tester to evaluate cryptographic algorithms, protocols and hardware security in real products. You'll analyze implementations, review documentation, and translate security requirements into concrete test activities within the Crypto Team in Cybersecurity.

You will gain exposure to FIPS 140-3 and ISO/IEC 19790, work with Linux tools, and contribute to test automation and evidence gathering while developing your cryptographic

Qualifications

• A Degree in Computer Science and Mathematics, or related discipline.
• Basic understanding of cryptography (symmetric/asymmetric, hashing, signatures).
• Practical programming or scripting experience (Python and/or C/C++).
• Ability to approach problems systematically and explain reasoning.
• English sufficient to read technical standards and write clear reports.
• Attention to detail, collaborative attitude, willingness to learn from feedback.

Responsibilities

• Analyze cryptographic algorithms and protocols from a security perspective.
• Review technical documentation, product architecture and relevant source code.
• Translate security requirements into test activities using laboratory procedures and tools.
• Set up test environments, execute tests and investigate results.
• Support cryptographic algorithm testing and develop scripts to automate tasks.
• Contribute to evaluation of random number generators and entropy sources.
• Support implementation-security testing including side-channel and fault injection testing.
• Identify gaps between implementation, documentation and requirements.
• Collaborate with senior colleagues and client teams to verify corrections.
• Prepare clear, traceable test records and technical reports.

Skills

Basic understanding of cryptography

Programming in Python

Programming in C/C++

English language proficiency

Analytical thinking

Detail-oriented

Education

Degree in Computer Science and Mathematics

Related discipline degree (Telecommunications, Cybersecurity, Physics)

Tools

Linux

Command-line tools

Cryptographic libraries

Embedded systems testing

TLS/SSH/IPsec knowledge

Job description

Do you want to boost the future towards a safe, secure and sustainable world? Build your career in applied cryptography and product security by learning how the security-critical components are tested and evaluated in real products.

At DEKRA Digital Trust Services, we help technology companies demonstrate that their products meet demanding security requirements. In our Cybersecurity Laboratory, you will work with experienced specialists on the evaluation of cryptographic modules, embedded systems and secure hardware, covering software, firmware and hardware implementations.

As a member of our Crypto Team in Cybersecurity, you will contribute to the evaluation of cryptographic algorithms, protocols and security-critical implementations across a wide range of projects. Our team works with topics including cryptographic module testing, implementation security, random number generation, entropy evaluation, hardware security, side-channel analysis, fault injection and post-quantum cryptography. Besides, you will support projects involving FIPS 140-3 and ISO/IEC 19790, which define security requirements for cryptographic modules, the components responsible for functions such as encryption, digital signatures and cryptographic key management.

What will your work involve?

Working in a team under the guidance of experienced evaluators, you will:

• Analyze the implementations of cryptographic algorithms and protocols from a security perspective.
• Review technical documentation, product architecture and relevant source code to understand how a cryptographic module is designed and operates.
• Translate security requirements into test activities using the laboratory’s procedures and tools.
• Set up test environments, execute tests and investigate unexpected results. Depending on the project, this may include checking authentication, cryptographic key handling, self-tests and error conditions.
• Support cryptographic algorithm testing and develop or adapt scripts to automate tasks and analyze results.
• Contribute to the review of random number generators and entropy sources, including design evidence, data sets and statistical results.
• Contribute to implementation-security testing, including side-channel analysis and fault injection testing, according to your background and development path.
• Identify gaps or inconsistencies between the implementation, its documentation and the applicable requirements.
• Work with senior colleagues and client engineering teams to clarify findings, obtain supporting evidence and verify corrections.
• Prepare clear, traceable test records and technical reports, and support the preparation of validation submissions and responses to review comments.

What do you need to bring?

• A Degree in Computer Science and Mathematics, other Degrees could be considered such as Telecommunications, Cybersecurity, Physics, or a related discipline.
• A basic understanding of cryptography, including symmetric and asymmetric encryption, hashing and digital signatures.
• Practical programming or scripting experience. Academic projects, internships and personal projects count; Python and/or C/C++ are particularly relevant.
• The ability to approach problems systematically, investigate technical details and explain your reasoning.
• English skills sufficient to read technical standards, write clear reports and participate in technical discussions.
• Attention to detail, a collaborative attitude and a willingness to learn from feedback.
• The job position is located in Málaga, but other locations such as Alcobendas (Madrid) could be considered.

The following would be useful, but are not essential:

• Familiarity with Linux, command-line tools, debugging or software testing.
• Experience with cryptographic libraries, embedded systems, PKI or secure communication protocols such as TLS, SSH or IPsec.
• Exposure to FIPS 140-3, ISO/IEC 19790, cryptographic algorithm testing, random number generation or entropy assessment.
• Knowledge of statistics, electronics, signal processing, side-channel analysis or fault injection.
• Academic or personal projects involving applied cryptography, embedded security or security evaluation.

How will you develop?

Previous experience with FIPS 140-3, entropy evaluation or advanced hardware attacks is not required. We welcome recent graduates and early-career professionals with solid technical foundations, curiosity and a methodical approach.

You will learn the relevant standards, testing methods, laboratory practices and reporting expectations through training, mentoring and guided project work. You will begin with supervised tasks and progressively take responsibility for defined parts of an evaluation as your knowledge and experience grow.

Depending on your interests, existing knowledge and project needs, you can develop expertise in areas such as cryptographic module evaluation, algorithm testing, entropy assessment, secure hardware, side-channel analysis, fault injection, embedded security or post-quantum cryptography.

What do we offer?

• A permanent contract with hybrid working options based around our Málaga (Parque Tecnológico).
• Flexible working arrangements, with early finishes on Fridays and during the summer.
• Health insurance fully paid by the company.
• Access to meal, childcare, transport and Wellhub benefit options.
• Professional development through internal and external training, certification programs and opportunities to participate in cybersecurity events.
• English lessons to support your continued development.
• Projects with leading technology companies and collaboration with experienced cybersecurity specialists.
• Employee referral incentives, the KUDOS recognition program and discounts across major brands.
• Healthy snacks and free coffee in the office.

If you enjoy understanding how technology works, investigating details and turning technical findings into clear conclusions, we would like to hear from you.