SoC Security Architect: Craft Next-Gen Hardware Protections

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

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.