Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer (clearance required)

By joining our Mission Solutions business, you will be a member of a team dedicated to providing innovative solutions that streamline the preparation and execution of intricate, mission-critical operations. We focus on enhancing situational awareness, tactical command and control, and seamless video data exchange capabilities within a dynamic, multi-domain environment., Ultra ProLogic is expanding its encryption business and seeking an Embedded Firmware Engineer to help architect, implement, and certify high-assurance cryptographic systems used by the U.S. Department of Defense, NATO, and allied partners.

This role goes beyond traditional embedded development. You will work on security-critical software and firmware that must meet NSA High Assurance (HA) certification requirements, contributing directly to cryptographic information assurance architectures, certification artifacts, and fielded systems protecting real-world tactical and strategic networks.

If you are motivated by deep technical challenges-secure embedded design, Rust adoption in constrained environments, and building systems that withstand formal certification scrutiny-this role offers rare and meaningful work.

What You'll Work On

• High-assurance cryptographic and key management systems supporting secure communications, remote rekey, and lifecycle management
• Embedded software and firmware operating within defined crypto, INFOSEC, and High Assurance boundaries
• Architecture and implementation of cryptographic information assurance (IA) software and systems
• Systems that undergo formal NSA High Assurance certification, from requirements through fielding and sustainment

Role Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain embedded firmware primarily in VHDL for cryptographic and security-critical platforms
• Develop embedded algorithms and functions in firmware
• Develop device drivers for hardware components
• Architect cryptographic information assurance Firmware and systems, including definition of security boundaries, trusted services, and separation of crypto and non-crypto functions
• Perform trade studies and embedded architecture design, with emphasis on red-black separation, Security Monitor, bus interfaces and channel development
• Actively support the NSA High Assurance certification process, including:

• Requirements decomposition and traceability
• Security architecture definition and documentation
• Development of certification artifacts and evidence
• Participation in technical reviews and certification milestones

• Develop and maintain formal engineering documentation:

• Software & Hardware Requirements (SHRS, IRS)
• Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
• Software/Hardware Design Descriptions (SHDD)

• Develop and execute simulations, integration, and acceptance testing, including hardware-in-the-loop and security-relevant test cases
• Manage configuration control for firmware development items in certified baselines
• Collaborate closely with systems, hardware, software, security, and test engineers in a high-performance, mission-driven team
• Identify and implement process, tooling, and automation improvements to support secure development and certification efficiency
• Periodic travel (~5%) for customer interaction, test events, or off-site integration activities

• Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of embedded firmware development experience in VHDL
• Experience with:

• Low-level embedded development and debugging
• ARM/MicroBlaze-based processors and SoC platforms
• Firmware and hardware/software integration

• Strong understanding of memory management, concurrency, and deterministic embedded behavior

Preferred / Differentiating Experience

• 10+ years of embedded or firmware development experience
• Direct experience with NSA High Assurance certification, RMF, or similar DoD security frameworks
• Familiarity with cryptographic system design, key management, and secure boot/trust architectures
• Experience with:

• AMD Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC (e.g., Xilinx ZCU102/104 Evaluation Kit or similar)

• Experience working in waterfall or agile development methodology-based projects
• Strong systems-thinking mindset with the ability to assess technical risk and security impact
• Clear communicator who thrives in collaborative, technically rigorous teams

Every employee is critical to our success, and as such, we offer a range of flexible employee benefits, including:

• Annual Bonus - Annual Bonus - Performance Related
• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) package plus 11 company holidays
• Early finish on Friday
• 401K w/ company match
• Medical/Dental/Vision Benefits
• Student Loan Assistance Program
• Array of voluntary benefit offerings