Senior Firmware Engineer - Secure SSD & Embedded Security

Position Overview

X-PHY is an industry leader in cybersecurity technology—pioneering hardware-based solutions that protect businesses from evolving cyber threats. We are on an entrepreneurial journey and are looking for a dynamic Senior Firmware Engineer to serve as the Team Lead for our firmware group. In this role, you will blend hands-on embedded firmware development with technical leadership, steering the design, development, and optimization of secure, high-performance firmware for our cutting-edge cybersecure hardware products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the firmware development lifecycle—from architecture and design to implementation, validation, and deployment.
• Guide and mentor junior engineers, perform technical reviews, and help grow team capabilities.
• Design, develop, and maintain low‑level firmware and device drivers for ARM and FPGA‑based embedded platforms.
• Collaborate with hardware and FPGA engineers to define system architecture and interface layers.
• Work on secure boot processes, BSPs, diagnostic firmware for secure SSDs and other hardware, and implement cybersecurity measures like encryption, secure key storage, and tamper detection.
• Oversee firmware testing infrastructure including unit testing, integration testing, and CI support.
• Interface with engineering leads (software, hardware, FPGA, QA) to align schedules, requirements, and product goals.
• Contribute to system performance tuning and optimization while staying abreast of best practices in embedded security and real‑time processing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in firmware or embedded software development, including at least 2 years in a technical leadership role.
• Proficient in C/C++ with experience in Python for scripting and testing.
• Solid experience with ARM architectures (e.g., Cortex‑A/M) and SoC platforms.
• Expertise in firmware-hardware interaction, device drivers, memory‑mapped I/O, and BSPs.
• Experience with FPGA development using Verilog/VHDL.
• Deep understanding of real‑time operating systems (RTOS) and/or embedded Linux environments.
• Familiarity with hardware protocols including PCIe, I2C, SPI, UART, and DDR.
• Hands‑on debugging experience using JTAG, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical projects across multiple teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with secure embedded systems including secure boot, encryption, and key management.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, threat models, and countermeasures.
• Familiarity with AI/ML deployment on embedded platforms for anomaly detection with lightweight neural networks.
• Experience with Git‑based workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and build systems like Yocto or Buildroot.
• Experience with NVM systems and custom SSD firmware development.

Benefits & Perks

• Performance Bonus: Competitive bonuses tied to your results.
• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs): Gain a stake in the company's success.
• Career Advancement Opportunities: Clear progression pathways and professional development support.
• Collaborative Work Environment: Join a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Location: Full‑time, onsite role based in Singapore. Only candidates currently based in Singapore or willing to relocate will be considered.