Cybersecurity Key Provisioning Process Engineer

Apex Systems; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid onsite 4 days

Job summary

Apex Systems is seeking a Cybersecurity Key Provisioning Process Engineer to own cryptographic key definition, provisioning, and security across ECUs and vehicle programs. You will manage PKI/KMS implementations and ensure supplier accountability through audits and governance.

The role requires cross-functional collaboration with vehicle programs, procurement, and manufacturing, plus experience with ISO/SAE 21434 and secure provisioning protocols. Hybrid onsite work four days a week is offered.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with automotive cybersecurity standards (ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE R155/R156).
• Hands-on experience with PKI/KMS platforms (Thales, Entrust, Vault, AWS KMS).
• Experience with ECU/embedded systems development lifecycle and vehicle program timing.
• Knowledge of secure provisioning/manufacturing protocols (SHE, HSM-based key injection, secure flashing).
• Project or process management experience (e.g., Agile, Six Sigma).

Responsibilities

• Own and facilitate the process for defining cryptographic key requirements for each ECU type and vehicle program.
• Coordinate between vehicle program teams, ECU owners, and cybersecurity architecture to ensure traceability.
• Conduct technical audits of Tier-1 supplier sites to validate conformance to cybersecurity requirements.
• Assess supplier readiness against cryptographic and secure manufacturing requirements; drive corrective actions.
• Define key requirements tailored to each ECU's function, threat model, and program constraints.
• Oversee implementation of key requirements within Ford's PKI/KMS infrastructure with IT teams.
• Manage key lifecycle workflows within the KMS aligning with timelines.
• Troubleshoot issues in the key delivery pipeline between backend systems and suppliers.
• Author precise technical docs, specs, and work instructions on key provisioning and PKI/KMS interfaces.
• Cascade requirements to internal teams and suppliers, ensuring implementation and acknowledgment.
• Enforce compliance through audits, design reviews, and change management.

Skills

Embedded Systems

Auditing

Cyber Security

Compliance Professional

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Thales PKI

Entrust PKI

HashiCorp Vault

AWS KMS

Job description

Job#: 3045779

Job Description:

Position Description:

We are seeking a Cybersecurity Key Provisioning Process Engineer to join our Vehicle Cybersecurity organization. This role sits at the intersection of automotive engineering, cryptographic security architecture, and manufacturing operations — owning the end-to-end process by which cryptographic key material is defined, provisioned, and secured across every Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and vehicle program. The ideal candidate is a systems thinker who can translate cryptographic and security requirements into concrete engineering specifications, drive supplier accountability through audit and integration, and operate our backend Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Key Management System (KMS) to deliver secure keys at scale. This is a highly cross-functional role requiring fluency in cybersecurity engineering, supplier quality/manufacturing processes, and product key management systems. This role involves the development and governance of security policies and procedures, review of security controls and their efficiency, and monitoring processes for compliance risk and vulnerabilities. They also specialize in managing third party security risk programs

Skills Required

• Embedded Systems
• Auditing
• Cyber Security
• Compliance Professional

Skills Preferred

• ISO 27001
• Supply Chain Operations

Responsibilities

• Own and facilitate the process for defining, documenting, and approving cryptographic key requirements (algorithms, key lengths, key hierarchies, usage policies, rotation/expiry rules) for each ECU type and vehicle program.
• Serve as the central point of coordination between vehicle program teams, ECU feature owners, and cybersecurity architecture to ensure requirements are complete, consistent, and traceable across program timelines.
• Conduct technical audits of Tier-1 supplier manufacturing sites and processes to validate conformance to our cybersecurity requirements.
• Assess supplier readiness against cryptographic and secure manufacturing requirements; identify gaps and drive corrective action plans.
• Establish and monitor supplier compliance metrics, escalating non-conformances through appropriate governance channels.
• Partner with cybersecurity architects, ECU/software engineering teams, vehicle program management, procurement, and manufacturing to define cryptographic key requirements tailored to each ECU's function, threat model, and program constraints.
• Orchestrate the technical implementation of approved key requirements within Ford's backend PKI and KMS infrastructure, coordinating with platform/IT teams responsible for these systems.
• Define and manage key lifecycle workflows within the KMS in alignment with program and supplier timelines.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues in the key delivery pipeline between backend systems and supplier manufacturing lines.
• Author clear, precise technical documentation, specifications, and work instructions covering cryptographic key requirements, provisioning processes, and PKI/KMS interfaces.
• Cascade approved requirements to relevant internal teams and external suppliers, ensuring proper acknowledgment and implementation.
• Enforce compliance with documented requirements through audits, design reviews, and program gate reviews; maintain version control and change management for all specifications.

Experience

• Familiarity with automotive cybersecurity standards (ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE R155/R156).
• Hands-on experience with commercial or in-house PKI/KMS platforms (e.g., Thales, Entrust, HashiCorp Vault, AWS KMS, or automotive-specific secure provisioning platforms).
• Experience with ECU/embedded systems development lifecycle and vehicle program timing
• Knowledge of secure manufacturing/provisioning protocols (e.g., SHE, HSM-based key injection, secure flashing).
• Project or process management experience (e.g., Agile, Six Sigma, or similar).
• Experience with relevant control frameworks (e.g., NIST 800-53/800-57, ISO 27001, PCI-HSM, or automotive-specific key management security standards) is a plus.

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Additional Information :

Hybrid Position 4days a week onsite

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at [email protected] or 844-463-6178.