Processor Security Engineer

Codasip; Bristol, Cambridge; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Processor Security Engineer, where you will analyze RISC-V processor designs for security vulnerabilities and collaborate with talented engineers on cutting-edge technologies. This role offers the opportunity to work on innovative projects that redefine microprocessor design while contributing to a supportive and flexible team environment. You'll be empowered to explore new solutions and techniques, making a significant impact on the future of processor security. If you're passionate about technology and eager to make a difference, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in processor security analysis and low-level programming.
• In-depth knowledge of microarchitectural attacks and mitigation strategies.

Responsibilities

• Analyze RISC-V processor designs for security vulnerabilities.
• Develop security tests and document findings.
• Collaborate with CPU architects and verification teams.

Skills

Processor Security Analysis

Low-level Programming (C, Assembly)

Microarchitectural Attacks Knowledge

Communication Skills

Adaptability

Desire to Learn

Tools

Security Verification Tools

RISC-V Processors

Job description

**Please note this role is primarily open to candidates currently located in, and with working rights to UK (preferably Bristol or Cambridge) or Germany (preferably Munich, Berlin or Dresden).**

Welcome to Codasip

We believe Codasip is the most innovative processor solutions company. We take pride in designing and developing cutting-edge, high-performance, and energy-efficient CPU cores from scratch, and our own automated proprietary tools to fully customize them. We give our customers a unique competitive advantage by empowering their system-on-chip developers to build the most innovative products.

What you'll do

As an experienced Processor Security Engineer you will join our Security team and be part of realizing a whole new paradigm in semiconductors and microprocessor design. The role will be within our Codasip Labs organization, where we work on cutting-edge technologies and prepare them for rapid commercialization.

You will analyse RISC-V processor designs at the architectural and microarchitectural levels to determine security vulnerabilities, characterize the potential risk level and suggest and evaluate practical mitigations including hardware and software countermeasures.

You will be involved in analyzing the latest published attacks to determine if they could impact Codasip processor designs. This can involve the modelling of attacks and also practically implementing them on real hardware designs.

Work closely with our CPU architects, verification teams and CPU designers to understand the low-level hardware design and suggest practical countermeasures where appropriate.

You will:

• Keep track of state-of-the-art processor attacks
• Analyse processor designs at the architectural and microarchitectural levels
• Analyse attacks, exploits and mitigation strategies (including practical reproduction in software on hardware)
• Develop security tests, documenting findings and results
• Provide expert knowledge to CPU architects and other internal processor design teams
• Liaise with academic and industrial partners
• Research and contribute to the proving and adoption of new security technologies, analysis techniques and tools

The role demands attention to detail, flexibility and lateral thinking. Work on both short-term customer-driven projects, as well as longer-term strategic Codasip software products.

What you need:

• Proven experience in processor security analysis
• Low-level programming experience (C, assembly language, etc.)
• In-depth knowledge of microarchitectural attacks (e.g. transient execution attacks, cache attacks, side-channel attacks, fault injection attacks, etc.)
• Experience with in-order and out-of-order processors
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• A flexible and adaptable attitude to work
• A desire to learn and also positively influence technical direction

What you might have:

• Experience with RISC-V processors
• Previous experience working with academia
• Experience with formal security verification
• Knowledge of advanced security countermeasures such as CHERI

What's in it for you?

Join a flexible, open and supportive team full of curious, self-motivated and driven engineers who are keen to explore new ways of doing things, you'll get to work on ultra-modern, cutting-edge products and technology.

As a Codasipper, you will have the freedom to explore original solutions and experiment with new techniques in your role. We believe in cross-departmental awareness and encourage collaboration, allowing you to add value through diversity in your daily work.

So, come aboard and let's architect a future of innovation together! We can't wait to see what you'll achieve at Codasip.

Some useful Links on Codasip:

• Codasip RISC V Processor Solutions
• Design for differentiation: architecture licenses in RISC‑V
• Scaling is Failing - Dr. Ron Black, CEO, Codasip
• Codasip Labs to accelerate advanced technologies
• CHERI Security Technology