Firmware Engineer (Product Security)

Science Central, England, United Kingdom

12/16/2024

Job Description

The opportunity

Technology in Defence is rapidly evolving, and so are the risks to capabilities and success through an ever-changing security landscape. As customers demand higher levels of resilience in the products we create, our approach to securing systems and products needs to change with it.

We are recruiting for a Firmware Engineer to support development of security functions. You will work on some of the most challenging and rewarding security problems in the UK on some of the most exciting Defence projects, helping design and develop security solutions that sit at the heart of our products.

What you will do as a Firmware Engineer within Product Security

Your work at Leonardo will see you addressing security risks in an agile, innovative and team-centric manner. You will work alongside a team of security engineers and consultants to support engineering delivery teams, aiding the design and development of new products and systems by providing guidance to ensure the customer’s capabilities remain secure.

Through engagement with engineering teams and customers, you will advise on solutions that address security concerns while providing value to the customer based on risk balance. Utilising a focus of supporting the customer to achieve their goals, you will endeavour to provide the best possible solutions balanced against the programme constraints.

Key responsibility areas involve

• Designing secure firmware cores to flow down to engineering teams, and supporting integration
• Reviewing documentation such as design documents, system specifications, and risk profiles to identify potential vulnerabilities and propose appropriately secure solutions
• Working with solution architects and engineers to ensure that systems meet stringent Design Integrity and security standards and satisfy relevant accreditation requirements
• Participating in wider customer forums, to review security topics
  
  

What We Need From You

Ideally, we would like you to have the following skills; if you don’t have them but feel you could gain them whilst adding value to the team from alternative experience, we’d still like you to apply

• A degree or equivalent experience in science, technology, engineering or maths subjects
• A passion for security and problem solving
• Technical knowledge of secure firmware/embedded software and integration with electronics
• Knowledge of high-speed digital electronics
• Knowledge of developing designs for AMD, Microsemi and/or Intel FPGAs
• Knowledge of firmware simulation and verification tools
• Knowledge of scripting, using TCL and/or Python
• Knowledge of concepts such as Isolated Design Flow, encryption, and secure boot
• Understanding of the engineering product development lifecycle
• Ability to listen, understand and communicate effectively (both written and verbal) with internal and external customers
• Ability to be self-directed, conducting both independent learning and collaborating with other engineers to develop solutions that will increase the security posture of Leonardo products
• Eagerness to learn and adapt to changing technologies
  
  

It would also be helpful if you had

• A working practical knowledge of NCSC CAPS Evaluation processes and practices with awareness of generic Secure by Design Principles as presented by NCSC, UK MOD and NIST
• Practical experience of following DevSecOps lifecycles for embedded software/firmware
• Experience in safety-critical engineering and/or developing embedded software/firmware to High Assurance requirements such as DO-178C/DO-254 standards or equivalent
• Knowledge and experience of complex cryptography, especially implementing algorithms or utilising the approved cryptographic functions within FPGAs to create higher level security controls.
• An understanding of developing cyber resilient products by addressing the 4 phases of resilience Prepare, Absorb, Recover and Adapt
  
  

Security Clearance

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information and guidance please visit https //www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Life at Leonardo

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

• Flexible Working Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us
• Company funded flexible benefits Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)
• Holidays 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year
• Pension Award winning pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution)
• Wellbeing Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers)
• Lifestyle Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme
• Training Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera
• Referral Incentive You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member
• Bonus Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below
  
  

For a full list of our Company benefits please visit our website.

About Leonardo

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 8,000 are based at 8 sites throughout the UK.

At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people’s full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe and have a sense of belonging and connection.

This is a great opportunity to bring your talents and form an integral part of Leonardo’s future. We can help you develop your skills and offer great opportunities to develop and grow, so why not join us.

Primary Location

GB - Newcastle

Additional Locations

GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid