CPU Security Architect

QUALCOMM, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 243,000 - 365,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. in Santa Clara, CA, seeks a CPU Security Architect to shape the security foundations of next‑generation CPUs and SOCs.

You will define access-control architectures, privilege models, isolation boundaries, and protection mechanisms across CPU subsystems and firmware interfaces. You will collaborate with SoC architects and product teams to optimize Power, Performance and Area while delivering robust security assurance for our target markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in a field related to electrical/computer engineering or computer science.
• Strong background in hardware/security architecture design and evaluation.
• Experience with access-control architectures for CPU clusters and control processors.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement new CPU security features to counteract threats.
• Architect access-control topologies for CPU clusters and control processors, including secure boot and debug access policies.
• Collaborate with HW and SW teams to ensure secure design principles are applied.
• Deliver security architecture specifications for subsystem architects and shared SoC resources.
• Conduct regular security assessments and stay updated on threats and vulnerabilities.

Skills

System security architecture

CPU security

Threat modeling

Cryptography concepts

Communication skills

CPU ISA knowledge (ARM/x86/RISC-V)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or Computer Science

Master's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or Computer Science

PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering/Computer Science

Job description

Company:

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Job Area:

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > CPU Engineering

General Summary:

As a CPU Security Architect, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the security foundations of next-generation CPUs, CPU clusters, and associated control processors. Your responsibilities will include defining and evaluating access-control architectures, privilege models, isolation boundaries, authorization flows, and protection mechanisms across CPU subsystems, control processors, firmware interfaces, debug resources, shared memory, and broader SoC resources. We seek an individual with deep expertise in system-level security, hardware architecture, access-control policy design, and secure integration across complex SoC environments, with the ability to ensure robust protection against emerging threats. In this role, you will actively collaborate with SoC architects and product teams across multiple product lines to optimize overall Power, Performance, and Area (PPA) efficiency while delivering the highest security assurance tailored for our target markets.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 7+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.
• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 7+ years of systems security or related work experience.
• Proven experience in system security architecture
• Deep understanding of micro-architectural security attacks and countermeasures
• Strong understanding of access-control architectures for CPU clusters, control processors, privileged agents, debug resources, shared memory, and security-sensitive control paths
• Strong understanding and experience in at least one CPU ISA like ARM, x86, Risc-V
• Experience with performing threat modeling, security risk analysis, or security architecture
• Good understanding of cryptographic algorithms and protocols
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills
• PhD degree in systems security; 5+ years of proven practical experience
• Experience in CPU microarchitectural security threats of various core units
• Experience in countermeasures for microarchitectural attacks
• Hands on HW design experience for CPU sub-components
• Experience in formal or semi-formal security verification methods or automated microarchitectural fuzzing
• Experience defining or verifying access-control policies for CPU cluster management, control processors, firmware interfaces, debug authentication, memory protection, or interconnect-level authorization

Role and Responsibilities:

• Design and implement new CPU security features and functions to counteract potential threats
• Architect access-control topologies and policies for CPU clusters and control processors, including privilege separation, authorization checks, isolation boundaries, secure boot and debug access policies, and protection of security-critical registers, memories, and control flows
• Collaborate with HW and SW engineering teams to ensure secure design principles are properly implemented.
• Deliver security architecture specifications to broader teams and define requirements for subsystem architects, including access-control requirements for CPU clusters, control processors, firmware interfaces, and shared SoC resources.
• Conduct regular security assessments and recommend changes as necessary.
• Stay updated on the latest industry trends, threats, and vulnerabilities to keep security systems up-to-date.

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 [e-mail] or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. 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. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).

EEO Employer:

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.

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.

Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:

$243,200.00 - $364,800.00

The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer - and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.