Lead Software Engineer

Candidates should hold a degree in Electronic Engineering/Computer Science or equivalent experience, backed by at least 10 years in software design and/or verification. We are looking for a technical lead—or a senior engineer ready to step up into leadership—to guide our team. Knowledge of cryptographic engineering and side-channel attack resistance is a major bonus. You should be ready to contribute to cross-team strategy, lead architectural reviews, and drive planning for your team.

Founded in 2018, we are a well-funded deep tech startup with proven technology and a clear path to market. Joining us now offers a unique opportunity to work directly with our founders and inventors, fast-track your career progression, and shape a rapidly expanding segment of the semiconductor industry (Post-Quantum Cryptography and RISC-V). This is a great opportunity for career progression and to get a head start in a rapidly expanding segment of the semiconductor industry (Post-Quantum Cryptography and RISC-V).

⚒️ What you’ll be doing

* Working with other engineering leaders and project managers to plan and allocate work, ensuring we are delivering on our product roadmap.
* You’ll be expected to take on a technical leadership role, and be responsible for coordinating and delivering application and embedded software IP design projects from conception to customer delivery.
* Line Management of a software engineering team:
* Identifying hiring needs, conducting interviews, and selecting suitable candidates for open positions.
* Orienting new colleagues, providing necessary training, and ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to succeed.
* Setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, conducting performance reviews, and recognising and rewarding achievements.
* Identifying training and development opportunities to help colleagues grow their skills and advance their careers.
* Addressing under-performance, providing coaching and support, and taking disciplinary action when necessary.
* Fostering positive relationships with team members, resolving conflicts, and promoting a positive work environment
* Ensuring the software engineering team has all of the tooling and infrastructure it needs to function well.
* Mentoring other colleagues, and being a point of contact for software design expertise within the company.
* Working with verification engineers to review verification and test plans.
* Define architectural definitions for complex algorithmic and/or system level solutions.
* Providing feedback to colleagues on feasibility of implementation and specification quality.
* Working closely with other teams and project stakeholders, and acting as an enabler for their development work. E.g. coordinating with hardware engineers or our product vulnerability team.
* Engaging with customers, including helping with integration questions, or answering questions during technical sales calls.
* Ensuring clean lint and implementation reports for IP blocks and subsystems.

🎯 Required Skills And Qualifications

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Confidence in planning out a project development cycle and coordinating with project managers as development progresses.
* A commitment to high quality engineering in all areas of their work, including advocating for the best long-term solutions over the easiest or quickest.
* Self-starter with the ability to work with and inspire a team.
* Experience building software IP blocks from scratch, and owning the process from initial specification through to customer delivery.
* Expert level C experience in an embedded environment.
* Able to apply knowledge effectively in unfamiliar situations and actively maintains own knowledge and shares with others.
* Rapidly absorbs and critically assesses new information and applies it effectively.
* Specifies architectural solutions to technical challenges across multiple technical domains.
* Understanding of cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and key management systems.

👍 Preferred Skills And Qualifications

* Familiarity with PQC standards and protocols (e.g., NIST PQC).
* Familiarity with Rust in an Embedded environment.
* Previous experience with software/hardware co-designs.
* Arm & RISC-V experience.
* Knowledge of side-channel security countermeasures.
* Confidence using Gitlab CI, or otherwise principles of continuous integration and testing.
* Confidence with the Python programming language.
* Previous experience managing a cross-functional software team successfully.

🏆 Some of the perks of working with us:

* Unparalleled opportunities to learn and accelerated career development.
* A collaborative, team environment with people who truly love what they do.
* Competitive salary and share option scheme.
* Flexible and hybrid working, and a working from home budget.
* Private health insurance for yourself and your family.
* 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and two wellness weeks).
* 50% gym membership discount.
* The chance to work with a spirited, 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.