Hardware Security Architect

NXP Semiconductors; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning opportunities (online/offline

Accommodations for qualified disabled

Job summary

NXP Semiconductors is seeking a SoC Security Architect to define and drive the hardware security architecture for SoCs across multiple end applications. You will own the vision for future generations of security hardware and lead collaboration with RTL, verification, and software teams to embed security into the design and validation processes.

Key responsibilities include threat modeling, secure boot, key provisioning, and ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards such as ISO 21434.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical/Electronic/Computer Engineering or a related field.
• 10–15+ years of experience in SoC or MCU design with a focus on hardware security architecture and HW/SW interactions.
• Strong understanding of SoC architecture, AMBA/AXI-class interconnects, memory subsystems, and how security policies are enforced across HW/SW boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Define SoC hardware security architecture and requirements, including HSM spec, secure boot/RoT concepts, and cryptographic IP integration strategies.
• Lead threat modeling, risk assessments, and vulnerability analysis; translate into architectural mitigations and design constraints.
• Architect HW/SW security boundaries and co-design flows for secure boot, firmware services, drivers, and runtime protection.
• Define secure key storage/provisioning (eFUSE/OTP) and security-aware DFT/TEST strategies balancing coverage and attack resistance.
• Collaborate with architecture, RTL, verification, DFT, PD, and software teams to embed security into implementation and validation flows.
• Ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards (ISO 21434), optimize for PPA trade-offs, and drive system-level security validation.
• Stay current on threats/standards and provide technical leadership through reviews and security guidance.

Skills

Hardware security

Threat modeling

HW/SW interaction

Communication

Education

Bachelors/Masters in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

EDA flows

Job description

The SoC Security Architect defines and drives the hardware security architecture for SoCs across a range of end applications, with deep expertise in hardware security and HW/SW interaction. You will own & establish the vision for future generations of security hardware.

Job Responsibilities:

• Define SoC hardware security architecture and requirements, including HSM specification, secure boot/RoT concepts, and cryptographic IP integration strategies.(AES/SHA/PKA/PUF/PQC etc) Translate security features into high-level HW/SW specifications and derive HW requirements to design a product
• Lead threat modeling, risk assessments, and vulnerability analysis; translate into architectural mitigations and design constraints.
• Architect HW/SW security boundaries and co-design flows for secure boot, firmware services, drivers, and runtime protection.
• Define secure key storage/provisioning (eFUSE/OTP) and security-aware DFT/TEST strategies balancing coverage and attack resistance.
• Collaborate with architecture, RTL, verification, DFT, PD, and software teams to embed security into implementation and validation flows.
• Ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards (ISO 21434), optimize for PPA trade-offs, and drive system-level security validation.
• Stay current on threats/standards and provide technical leadership through reviews and security guidance.

Other Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Architecture, RTL Design, Verification, DFT, Physical Design, Firmware/Software, Systems, Quality, and Product/Customer teams) to align security, safety, test, and product requirements and to support customer discussions, audits, and security reviews.
• Ensure security, safety, and system-level design compliance in architecture, adhering to relevant standards (e.g., ISO 26262, IEC 61508).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical/Electronic/Computer Engineering or a related field.
• 10–15+ years of experience in SoC or MCU design with a strong focus on hardware security architecture and HW/SW interactions.
• Strong understanding of SoC architecture, AMBA/AXI-class interconnects, memory subsystems, and how security policies are enforced across HW/SW boundaries.
• Proven experience with threat modeling, risk assessment, security validation, and vulnerability analysis for SoC-based systems.
• Hands-on background with RTL design, synthesis concepts, and EDA flows sufficient to review and guide secure implementation (even if not the primary RTL owner).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for specifications, reviews, and stakeholder alignment.
• More information about NXP in the United States.

NXP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status as a disabled veteran and/or veteran of the Vietnam Era or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Benefits & Perks:

• To enable you to grow your career at NXP, we offer online and offline learning opportunities to help you develop some of your core and professional skills.
• In addition, NXP will provide reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.

Bright Minds. Bright Futures. We believe that a key component to growing our business is to develop our people. To enable you to grow your career at NXP, we offer online and offline learning opportunities to help you develop some of your core and professional skills.

Commitment At NXP. We recognize NXP is a powerful change agent as we continue to deliver innovative solutions that advance a more sustainable future. We remain steadfast in our commitment to sustainability and making measurable year-on-year progress.

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) enables a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through innovation. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is pushing boundaries in the automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets.

For more information, visit www.nxp.com

We have programs in place focused on diversity, inclusion and equality.

Also, we aim to create an inclusive work environment and we will not tolerate racism, discrimination or harassment of any kind.