Senior Firmware Security Architect (Hybrid)

Socket.dev; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Nightwing, located in Greenville, SC, is seeking a Senior Firmware Security Architect to develop advanced microelectronics for cybersecurity innovation. You'll lead firmware development, design secure systems, and collaborate with engineering teams.

With over 10 years of experience in embedded systems and a strong background in UEFI and cryptographic principles, you will architect secure solutions for critical infrastructure. A U.S. Citizenship and Secret clearance are required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of embedded systems development experience.
• Proven UEFI development experience.
• Deep familiarity with Intel architecture and UEFI Secure Boot.
• Extensive firmware development, testing, and validation experience.
• Windows and Linux driver development background.
• Experience managing hardware design, development, and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead firmware development for advanced security microelectronics.
• Design and implement secure boot chains, cryptographic systems, and hardware root‑of‑trust solutions.
• Oversee hardware design partnerships and guide manufacturing processes.
• Develop and maintain UEFI firmware, Windows/Linux drivers, and embedded software.
• Architect cryptographic systems incorporating signature verification and encryption.
• Implement security best practices throughout the development lifecycle.
• Debug complex issues using JTAG and emulation.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with hardware engineers and security researchers.

Job description

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

Senior Firmware Security Architect

We are seeking an exceptional Senior Firmware Security Architect to lead the development and support of advanced microelectronics devices at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation. This pivotal role combines deep technical expertise in embedded systems with security-first engineering principles to protect critical infrastructure at the hardware‑firmware boundary.

As a technical leader on our team, you will architect, develop, and oversee secure firmware solutions while mentoring engineers and driving our hardware security roadmap forward.

What You’ll Do

• Lead firmware development for advanced security microelectronics, from architecture through production and support

• Design and implement secure boot chains, cryptographic systems, and hardware root‑of‑trust solutions

• Oversee hardware design partnerships and guide manufacturing processes to ensure security requirements are met

• Develop and maintain UEFI firmware, Windows/Linux drivers, and embedded software for security‑critical applications

• Architect cryptographic systems incorporating signature verification, encryption, attestation, and authentication mechanisms

• Implement security best practices throughout the development lifecycle, including threat modeling and secure coding standards

• Debug complex issues using JTAG, emulation, and custom test infrastructure

• Collaborate cross‑functionally with hardware engineers, security researchers, and product teams

Security Clearance

Requires at least a Secret.

Qualified applicants may be subject to a security investigation and must meet minimum qualifications for access to classified information. U.S. Citizenship is required. Qualified applicants must meet the requirements to obtain and maintain a Secret government security clearance.

Required Qualifications

Experience & Expertise

• 10+ years of embedded systems development experience

• Proven UEFI development experience

• Deep familiarity with Intel architecture and UEFI Secure Boot

• Extensive firmware development, testing, and validation experience

• Windows and Linux driver development background

• Experience managing hardware design, development, and manufacturing processes

Security Knowledge

• Strong understanding of cryptographic system design principles (signature verification, data encryption, message authentication, remote attestation)

• Hands‑on experience with modern commodity security technologies: TPM, Secure Boot, Measured Boot, hardware root‑of‑trust, Self‑Encrypting Drives (SED)

• Track record of implementing secure development practices

Technical Skills

• Expert‑level proficiency in C/C++ and Python

• Advanced hardware debugging techniques: JTAG, remote debugging, emulation, custom hardware test rigs

• Strong systems‑level understanding of hardware‑software interactions

Ideal Candidate

You are a security‑minded engineer who thinks like an attacker but builds like a defender. You’re passionate about the intersection of hardware and software security, stay current with emerging threats and mitigations, and excel at translating complex security requirements into elegant technical solutions.

Equal Opportunity

Nightwing is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.