Hardware / Low Level Security Engineer

Cerebras; United States; On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Innovative AI research opportunities

Non-corporate culture

Job stability with startup vitality

Open-source contributions

Job summary

Cerebras is looking for a Hardware / Low Level Security Engineer to strengthen the foundational layers of their AI systems. This role involves working closely with the Linux kernel and hardware to implement security measures and improve system integrity.

Ideal candidates should possess a strong background in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering with a focus on Cybersecurity, alongside a deep understanding of the Linux kernel. This is an opportunity to contribute to one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world, promoting a non-corporate culture that empowers growth and learning.

Qualifications

• Deep familiarity with Linux kernel and kernel modules.
• Hands-on experience with secure boot and platform integrity.
• Ability to read and write production kernel code.

Responsibilities

• Partner with teams to embed security controls.
• Design security hardening across various system layers.
• Conduct security reviews of kernel modules and drivers.

Skills

Linux kernel familiarity

Cybersecurity background

Proficiency in C

Experience with firmware

Written communication skills

Education

Background in Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering

Tools

TPM

UEFI

eBPF

Job description

Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. This architecture allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds; over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services.

This order of magnitude increase in speed is transforming the user experience of AI applications, unlocking real-time iteration and increasing intelligence via additional agentic computation.

Cerebras works with the leading model labs, global enterprises, and cutting-edge AI-native startups. OpenAI recently announced a multi-year partnership with Cerebras, to deploy 750 megawatts of scale, transforming key workloads with ultra high-speed inference.

About The Role

We are seeking a Hardware / Low Level Security Engineer to harden the foundational layers of the systems that run the fastest AI inference on earth. You will work close to the metal — across the Linux kernel, firmware, secure boot, and hardware roots of trust — to identify weaknesses, build defenses, and partner with platform and infrastructure teams to ship low-level security improvements. The right candidate brings deep systems expertise, a security mindset shaped by hands‑on hardening and exploitation, and a passion for protecting unique compute architectures at scale.

Responsibilities

• Partner with platform, infrastructure, and hardware teams to embed security controls from physical hardware through runtime.
• Design and implement security hardening across the Linux kernel, bootloader, firmware, and host OS layers of Cerebras compute platforms.
• Drive secure boot, measured boot, and attestation strategies across our infrastructure, from the wafer-scale system to supporting host nodes.
• Conduct deep security reviews of kernel modules, drivers, and low-level system components — identifying and remediating memory safety, privilege escalation, and isolation issues.
• Develop kernel-level monitoring and telemetry (e.g., eBPF) to enable detection of low-level attacker behavior.
• Stay ahead of emerging kernel CVEs, supply chain risks, and hardware-level threats — driving response and remediation across the fleet.
• Document low-level security posture, threat models, and remediation playbooks in clear, accessible language.

Skills and Qualifications

• Background in Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering with career focus in Cybersecurity.
• Deep familiarity with the Linux kernel — including kernel modules, syscall interface, namespaces, cgroups, eBPF, and LSM.
• Hands‑on experience with firmware, UEFI, secure boot, TPM, and platform integrity tooling.
• Strong proficiency in C and a modern systems language (Rust, Go, or similar), with the ability to read and write production kernel code.
• Familiarity with hardware-level isolation primitives (e.g., IOMMU, SR-IOV, confidential computing); exposure to non‑standard compute architectures a plus.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to make low‑level security concepts approachable for non‑specialists.

Why Join Cerebras

1. Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.
2. Publish and open source their cutting‑edge AI research.
3. Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.
4. Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.
5. Our simple, non‑corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.

Find out more about what it's like to work at Cerebras here!

Apply today and become part of the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in AI!

Cerebras Systems is committed to creating an equal and diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe inclusive teams build better products and companies. We try every day to build a work environment that empowers people to do their best work through continuous learning, growth and support of those around them.

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