Senior Firmware Engineer - Secure SSD & Embedded Security

X-PHY; Singapore; On-site; SGD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A cybersecurity technology company in Singapore is seeking a Senior Firmware Engineer to lead the firmware group. This role involves hands-on development and overseeing the design and optimization of firmware for cutting-edge hardware. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in firmware development, strong leadership skills, and a passion for embedded systems. This is a full-time, onsite position with opportunities for career advancement.

Benefits

Performance Bonus

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Career Advancement Opportunities

Collaborative Work Environment

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in firmware development, with 2 years in a leadership role.
• Expertise in firmware-hardware interaction and device drivers.
• Familiarity with PCIe, I2C, SPI, UART, and DDR protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead the firmware development lifecycle from architecture to deployment.
• Mentor junior engineers and guide their growth.
• Design and maintain firmware for ARM and FPGA-based systems.

Skills

C / C++ proficiency

Python for scripting

Embedded systems knowledge

Technical leadership

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science

Tools

ARM architectures

FPGAs with Verilog/VHDL

JTAG

Job description

X-PHY is an industry leader in cybersecurity technology, delivering cutting‑edge solutions that proactively protect businesses from evolving cyber threats. As a hardware‑based cybersecurity company, we don’t just build products—we build the future.

As we continue to expand, we’re seeking passionate, driven individuals to join our mission to redefine industry standards, push boundaries, and create transformative solutions that protect the digital world. Joining us isn’t just about securing a job—it’s about embarking on an entrepreneurial journey. Here, you don’t just work for the company; you grow with it.

We’re looking for visionary thinkers, bold strategists, and decisive doers—people who don’t just follow the path but redefine it. If you're ready to challenge conventional norms, drive innovation, and be part of something transformative, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of cybersecurity. At X‑PHY, we value individuals who are driven by purpose and thrive in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.

We are currently hiring a Senior Firmware Engineer to take on the role of Team Lead for our firmware group. This position blends hands‑on embedded firmware development with technical leadership and strategic oversight. You will lead a dedicated team in the design, development, and optimization of firmware for our cutting‑edge cybersecure hardware products. Working closely with cross‑functional teams—including hardware, FPGA, and cybersecurity engineers—you will help define and deliver secure, high‑performance, real‑time firmware systems on ARM and FPGA‑based platforms.

Requirements

• Lead the firmware development lifecycle—from architecture and design to implementation, validation, and deployment.
• Guide and mentor junior engineers; perform technical reviews and help grow team capabilities.
• Design, develop, and maintain low‑level firmware and device drivers for ARM and FPGA‑based embedded platforms.
• Collaborate with hardware and FPGA engineers to define system architecture and interface layers.
• Work on secure boot processes, BSPs, and diagnostic firmware for secure SSDs and other hardware.
• Implement cybersecurity measures such as encryption, secure key storage, and tamper detection in firmware.
• Oversee firmware testing infrastructure including unit testing, integration testing, and CI support.
• Interface with other engineering leads (software, hardware, FPGA, QA) to align schedules, requirements, and product goals.
• Contribute to system performance tuning and optimization.
• Stay up‑to‑date with best practices in embedded security, real‑time processing, and secure firmware updates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in firmware or embedded software development, with at least 2 years in a technical leadership role.
• Proficient in C / C++, with additional experience in Python for scripting and testing.
• Strong experience with ARM architectures (e.g., Cortex‑A / M) and SoC platforms.
• Expertise in firmware‑hardware interaction, device drivers, memory‑mapped I/O, and BSPs.
• Experience developing for and integrating with FPGAs using Verilog / VHDL.
• Deep understanding of real‑time operating systems (RTOS) and / or embedded Linux environments.
• Familiarity with hardware protocols including PCIe, I2C, SPI, UART, and DDR.
• Hands‑on debugging experience using tools such as JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical projects across multiple teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with secure embedded systems: secure boot, encryption, key management.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, threat models, and countermeasures.
• Familiarity with AI / ML deployment on embedded platforms (e.g., anomaly detection via lightweight neural networks).
• Experience with Git‑based workflows, CI / CD pipelines, and build systems like Yocto or Buildroot.
• Experience with NVM (non‑volatile memory) systems and custom SSD firmware development.

Note: This is a full‑time, onsite role based in Singapore.

Only candidates who are currently based in Singapore or open to relocating will be considered.

Benefits

• Performance Bonus – rewards high performance with competitive bonuses tied to results.
• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) – contributes a stake in the company’s success and aligns interests with long‑term growth.
• Career Advancement Opportunities – clear career progression pathways and support for professional development.
• Collaborative Work Environment – a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.