Hardware Penetration testing and Security Engineer (Multiple Levels) - Cork, Ireland

Qualcomm; Ireland; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary, stock, and performance related bonus

Maternity/Paternity Leave

Employee stock purchase scheme

Matching pension scheme

Education Assistance

Relocation and immigration support

Life, Medical, Income and Travel Insurance

Subsidised memberships for physical and mental well-being

Bicycle purchase scheme

Employee run clubs

Job summary

Qualcomm is seeking a Hardware Security Engineer to work in their advanced penetration testing lab in Cork, Ireland. This role focuses on hands-on security testing of the latest Snapdragon chipsets through methods including Fault Injection and Side-Channel Attacks. You will collaborate globally to enhance security measures and ensure hardware integrity.

The ideal candidate should have experience with cryptographic algorithms, microprocessor architecture, and be proficient in scripting languages. Qualcomm offers an innovative environment and diverse benefits.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Fault Injection (FI) or Side-Channel Attacks (SCA) – essential!
• Strong understanding of cryptographic algorithms and their hardware implementations.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis and/or entropy analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform hardware & firmware penetration testing on Qualcomm SoCs and chipsets.
• Evaluate cryptographic implementations for vulnerabilities.
• Collaborate with Qualcomm security labs across the globe.

Skills

Fault Injection (FI)

Side-Channel Attacks (SCA)

Cryptographic algorithms knowledge

Microprocessor architecture

Scripting/programming (Python, C, MATLAB)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field

Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field

PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Company

QT Technologies Ireland Limited

Job Area

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > ASICS Engineering

General Summary

Qualcomm is a world leader in semiconductor innovation – the company behind the technology powering 5G, Snapdragon, and next‑generation connected devices. Our GSOC Tech Security Lab in Cork is one of the most advanced hardware penetration testing labs in the industry, and we're growing.

About the role

We're looking for a Hardware Security Engineer to join our hands‑on penetration testing lab in Cork. You'll work directly on Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon chipsets – testing, breaking, and hardening cutting‑edge silicon. This is a real offensive security role – not compliance, not paperwork. Expect to get deep into silicon‑level attacks, cryptographic analysis, and hardware exploitation, with strong collaboration across Qualcomm's global security network.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform hardware & firmware penetration testing on Qualcomm SoCs and chipsets
• Execute Side‑Channel Attacks (SCA) and Fault Injection (FI) experiments on real silicon
• Evaluate cryptographic implementations (AES, RSA, SHA, DES) for vulnerabilities
• Develop offensive tools, scripts, and methodologies for security evaluation
• Assess security threats and recommend effective countermeasures
• Collaborate with Qualcomm security labs across the globe
• Engage with government security certification frameworks (e.g., Common Criteria)

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with Fault Injection (FI) or Side‑Channel Attacks (SCA) – essential!
• Strong understanding of cryptographic algorithms and their hardware implementations
• Curiosity, hacker mindset, and a genuine passion for breaking things to make them safer
• Knowledge of statistical analysis and/or entropy analysis
• Strong knowledge of microprocessor architecture
• Familiarity with signal processing, data analytics, or machine learning
• Proficiency in scripting/programming languages (Python, C, MATLAB, etc.)
• Exposure to government security standards and certification processes

Where you will be working

Cork has a proud reputation as Ireland's second largest economic engine and is now one of the Top 20 location choices in Europe with 39,000 people being employed by over 170 overseas companies. There's a growing diversity in the region with people from many nationalities relocating to Cork, relishing the opportunity to work and live in a location that offers an excellent quality of life. A gateway to Europe, Cork airport provides access to almost 50 international destinations including transatlantic air routes.

Equal Opportunities

We are an Equal Opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any protected classification.

What's on Offer

• Salary, stock and performance related bonus
• Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Employee stock purchase scheme
• Matching pension scheme
• Education Assistance
• Relocation and immigration support (if needed)
• Life, Medical, Income and Travel Insurance
• Subsidised memberships for physical and mental well‑being
• Bicycle purchase scheme
• Employee run clubs, including, running, football, chess, badminton and many more

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 4+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Science, Engineering, or related field and 3+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Science, Engineering, or related field and 2+ years of ASIC design, verification, validation, integration, or related work experience.

*References to a particular number of years experience are for indicative purposes only. Applications from candidates with equivalent experience will be considered, provided that the candidate can demonstrate an ability to fulfill the principal duties of the role and possesses the required competencies.

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e‑mail disability‑[e-mail] or call Qualcomm's toll‑free number. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities.

Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.