Senior Hardware Security Architect — Remote/Hybrid

Cisco; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 252,000 - 321,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco is seeking a Distinguished Engineer to define and drive the company’s hardware security roadmap across networking, data center, and AI infrastructure. You will architect roots of trust, secure firmware resiliency, and cryptographic device identity while collaborating with product teams and customers.

You will advise executives on embedded security decisions, represent Cisco in standards bodies, and mentor future hardware security leaders across the organization.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: BS/MS/PhD in EE, CE, CS or related field, 15+ years in hardware systems design, silicon security, or embedded architecture.
• Distinguished Technical Leadership: Track record as Distinguished Engineer, Fellow, Chief Architect, or senior leader driving hardware security strategy.
• Hardware Systems & Networking Depth: Deep knowledge of terabit switches, routers, security appliances, optical transceivers, board-level design, and FPGA/ASIC development.
• Applied Cryptography & Platform Security: Knowledge of cryptography, PKI, key management, and hardware security countermeasures such as side-channel and fault-injection mitigations.
• Multi-Functional & Executive Communication: Ability to translate deep technical detail into executive-level strategy.

Responsibilities

• Set security standards, requirements, and direction for hardware and embedded software across Cisco’s product portfolio.
• Architect roots of trust and platform firmware resiliency as foundational security blocks.
• Advise engineering leaders on embedded security decisions and trade-offs with business impact.
• Ensure alignment with regulations (CRA, CIO orders, CNSA, etc.).
• Collaborate with hyperscale customers to translate security needs into roadmaps.
• Represent Cisco in industry standards bodies and lead-s participation.
• Mentor the next generation of hardware security architects.

Skills

Hardware security

Embedded security

Executive communication

Standards participation

Cryptography knowledge

Education

BS/MS/PhD in EE/CE/CS or related

Tools

FPGA/ASIC development

Job description

Cisco is seeking a Distinguished Engineer to define and drive the company’s hardware security roadmap across networking, data center, and AI infrastructure. You will architect roots of trust, secure firmware resiliency, and cryptographic device identity while collaborating with product teams and customers.

You will advise executives on embedded security decisions, represent Cisco in standards bodies, and mentor future hardware security leaders across the organization.