Hardware Verification Engineer

UK or Europe Based with Remote Working Option

The Company

Formed as a spinout of the University of Oxford by cryptography researchers and specialists, PQShield has unrivalled domain expertise in the design and implementation of quantum-resistant cryptography for software and hardware applications. 

PQShield is a major contributing participant to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Post-Quantum Standardisation Process. 

At PQShield, we help customers transition their product lines from legacy RSA and Elliptic Curve cryptography to quantum-secure standards by offering ready-made and tailored IP for secure elements, IoT firmware, PKI and server technologies, and end-user applications.

Our corporate social responsibility centres around making sure our products are used in a constructive and positive way – we would like to think that our products will contribute to the greater good rather than be just another money-making commodity.

About the role

PQShield is looking for an experienced Verification Engineer to expand our cryptographic hardware IP team. Candidates should hold a degree in Electronic Engineering/Computer Science or equivalent. We hope that you have at least 5 years of experience, but also an open, research-oriented mindset.

The company is not too old, so you would be directly working with the founders and inventors of this deep tech startup. However the technology is already a couple of years in the making, its feasibility having been established, funding secured, and it has a clear path to market. This is a great opportunity to make career progress and to get a head start in a rapidly expanding segment of the semiconductor industry (Post-Quantum Cryptography and RISC-V).

Our IP components come together as a RISC-V MCU based Sub-system with advanced (post-quantum) cryptography algorithm support and security features.

What you’ll be doing

• Definition of IP Verification plan linking product requirements through to detailed testcases
• Create reliable and reusable testbench for subsystems and IPs
• Develop state of the art digital verification methodology 
• Hands-on project design/verification involvement

About you

• Degree or equivalent in Electronics/Computer Science or other related discipline
• Metric driven verification – Verification planning, requirements extraction – Directed and constrained random verification – Functional and code coverage analysis
• SystemVerilog – SVA (SystemVerilog Assertions)
• Formal verification and verification qualification techniques
• Testbench design with verification frameworks like UVM/OVM, e, VMM
• Object oriented programming (OOP) – Use of OOP design patterns
• Experience with standard EDA Verification Tool flows , Synopsys , Cadence etc
• Common Bus protocols (e.g. AMBA), co-processors, hardware-software co-design
• Scripting experience with sh/csh, TCL, Make, Python
• Debugging skills – RTL – Testbench, OOP – Gate level (including SDF)
• An innovative, creative, lateral thinking problem solver

Nice to have

• C cross-compiler and co-design familiarity, (ARM, RISC-V) assembler
• Microprocessor/SoC architecture, ISA design
• Knowledge of Cryptographic Algorithms and Protocols 
• Knowledge of Industry standard SoC Security Architectures
• Tamper resistance, Side-Channel Security Countermeasures
• Secure elements, Smart Cards, FIPS 140, Common Criteria

 What we can offer you

• Competitive salary.
• EMI share option scheme.
• Flexible & remote working, and a working from home budget.
• Private health insurance for yourself and your family.
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).
• 50% gym membership discount.
• The chance to work with a really nice, smart and friendly team!
  

PQShield is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We’re passionate about talent and proud to foster an inclusive environment; all applicants will be considered regardless of their gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.