Hardware Security Consultant

As a Hardware Security Consultant, you would deliver complex and exciting projects that range from understanding a new technology to creating working prototypes and testing secure devices to identify vulnerabilities; however, every day is different and requirements quickly change based on client demand, research outcomes, and your advice. Experience of penetration testing at a hardware level is the mindset you will require in this role.

We have two hardware labs that provide the facilities to enable you to conduct these tasks and projects with ease. They are well equipped to enable rapid prototyping, analysis and contain a range of professional lab equipment to achieve outcomes in a timely manner. Training and upskilling are a priority for us so that we can continue to deliver against difficult requirements and consistently achieve our objectives.

Ideal Experience includes several of:

• Generating, capturing, and analysing communication over JTAG/SPI/I2C/CAN/CAN-FD/SMBus protocols.
• NFC, Bluetooth, Zigbee standards, including the use of Software Defined Radios or COTS devices to interact with these protocols.
• Interact with Bluetooth devices, specifically GATT services.
• Networking skills, including network stacks and analysis using tools such as NMAP and Wireshark.
• Development of tooling in Python3 and embedded C/C++.
• Rework, soldering and the principles of soldering.
• eMMC/NAND/NOR IC Chip-off and firmware extraction.
• Linux command line and bash scripting.
• Understanding and potential modification of embedded Linux e.g. RTOS.
• Hardware Teardown processes.
• Safely working with AC/DC power.
• Theory of electronics.
• Conduct trials and perform design-based experiments.


The skills are not all mandatory, nor exhaustive, but provide a flavour of the type of work conducted by our Hardware Security Consultants. Please do let us know if you have extensive knowledge in one or more subject areas that have not been mentioned but are relevant to the role.
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Additional Experience

• Creation of hardware prototypes and testing rigs.
• PCB design and development in Altium or KiCAD.
• Creation of CAD designs via FreeCAD.
• PCB Repair.
• OSINT in relation to hardware.
• Firmware Modification.
• Fault Injection and Side Channel Analysis.
• FPGA Programming.
• Firmware Reverse Engineering

As part of our team, you will

• Work alongside hugely talented and respected researchers, vulnerability researchers and software engineers.
• Apply a range of technologies to solve a wide variety of challenging problems.
• Conduct cutting-edge, novel and world-leading research.
• Design and produce niche solutions with immediate real-world impact.
• Use your skills and experience to propose new ways of doing things.
• Continually learn new skills and technologies.

Work Benefits

• Promotions are based on technical excellence and reviewed regularly
• 25 days holiday per year (with bank holidays on top), option to buy/sell up to 5 days per year
• Level up with an extra day of holiday per year, up to an extra 5 days, starting from 2 years' service
• We offer financial support to cover HMRC allowable costs of relocating if you're moving to the area
• Training and development opportunities to support your career aspirations
• O'Reilly books subscription which provides access to huge range of technical books
• Regular events including internal technical conferences, company socials and pizza-fuelled lunchtime seminars
• Free seasonal fruit, tea, coffee, milk, squash and hot chocolate

Health Benefits - Private medical including access to

• Private online GP, and a helpline to speak with various healthcare professionals.
• Physiotherapists, osteopaths or chiropractors for muscle, bone, and joint pain.
• Mental health - counselling, and specialist consultations and treatment with psychologists and cognitive behavioural therapists.
• Annual Health assessment.

Financial Benefits

• A profit share scheme so that everybody is rewarded for company success. This is an annual award that is based on the company hitting its targeted forecast. We have achieved this every year to date.
• 8% company contribution to pension with no minimum requirement for employee contribution.
• Death in Service cover of 4x base salary.

Lifestyle Benefits

• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave: 12 weeks maternity leave at full pay as soon as you join, further enhanced to 20 weeks full pay from 2 years' service. 2 weeks paternity leave at full pay as soon as you join, further enhanced to 4 weeks full pay from 2 years' service.
• Enhanced cycle-to-work scheme including the ability to purchase a bike over £1,000 (e-bikes, specialist cycles and trikes allowed).

Salary

We are recruiting staff at all levels in this team, and are able to support market-leading salaries for every grade within our sector/location. We reward staff based on technical excellence and not years of experience, so it's important to us to speak with you to see which grade you would fit into - it's not always obvious from a CV! Your interviewer will spend time during your first interview speaking with you about how your skills and experience map against our grades, and discuss a salary band so that you know early what you can expect if you receive an offer from us. The technical interview will provide a deeper assessment of your skills against your mapped grade which ultimately determines whether you receive an offer and the exact salary.

Location

We are based in the centre of Cheltenham in a stunning new build contemporary office, 5 minutes walk from the local shops and cafes. Our website has a few pictures, which you can take a look at.

Additional Details

Our interview process is quick and to the point: if you look like a good fit for the role, we'll schedule a brief call to discuss it in more detail and answer any questions you may have. If that goes well, we'll arrange a technical interview to understand your level of experience. We aim to get back to you with an answer within a couple of days of the technical interview.

Please note, due to sensitivity of the role, successful applicants must be British Citizens and willing to undergo extensive background checks to obtain a security clearance.

If you're looking for a challenging role where you can make a real impact in the world, in a friendly environment and with all the support to advance your career, click apply.