Full description
<p data-local-id="c72cb78accbb" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true" data-pm-slice="1 3 []"><strong data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="strong">Lead Software Engineer</strong></p>
<p data-local-id="9203abde8e4c" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true"><strong data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="strong">Reports to: Director of Engineering</strong></p>
<p data-local-id="00cf1dcafad5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true"><strong data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="strong">Department: Engineering</strong></p>
<p data-local-id="3eb2b3cabd8f" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true"> </p>
<p data-local-id="fac87f3088b1" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true"><strong data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="strong">💼 About the role</strong></p>
<p data-local-id="d2fcf4f24bf0" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">PQShield is looking for a Lead Software Engineer to help lead a cryptographic software IP team. As a Lead Software Engineer, you will be responsible for overseeing the entire software development lifecycle, from design to testing, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality software solutions. This includes planning, organizing, and managing the software development, including setting timelines, allocating resources, and tracking progress. You will work across a variety of environments, solving complex problems and developing other engineers, while maintaining a strong focus on quality and best practices. You will support the hiring, training, and managing of a team of software engineers, fostering collaboration, and resolving conflicts.</p>
<p data-local-id="2f02d251f599" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true"><span id="ddad4c96-18bd-4352-be80-d6bb3e55ea2e" data-mark-type="annotation" data-mark-annotation-type="inlineComment" data-id="ddad4c96-18bd-4352-be80-d6bb3e55ea2e" data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="annotation">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.</span></p>
<p data-local-id="e1253695958c" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true"><span id="20e0d5a7-c8b2-476c-8a72-8438da12e0ce" data-mark-type="annotation" data-mark-annotation-type="inlineComment" data-id="20e0d5a7-c8b2-476c-8a72-8438da12e0ce" data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="annotation">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).</span> 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).</p>
<p data-local-id="df4c222c6338" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true"> </p>
<p data-local-id="24490093d3f7" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true"><strong data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="strong">⚒️ What you’ll be doing</strong></p>
<ul>
<li data-local-id="4051e37fd161" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Working with other <span id="43aa3e8e-802b-4816-a127-8abfa7ee5606" data-mark-type="annotation" data-mark-annotation-type="inlineComment" data-id="43aa3e8e-802b-4816-a127-8abfa7ee5606" data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="annotation">engineering leaders</span> and project managers to plan and allocate work, ensuring we are delivering on our product roadmap.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">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.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Line Management of a software engineering team:
<ul>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Identifying hiring needs, conducting interviews, and selecting suitable candidates for open positions.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Orienting new colleagues, providing necessary training, and ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to succeed.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, conducting performance reviews, and recognising and rewarding achievements.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Identifying training and development opportunities to help colleagues grow their skills and advance their careers.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Addressing under-performance, providing coaching and support, and taking disciplinary action when necessary.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Fostering positive relationships with team members, resolving conflicts, and promoting a positive work environment</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ensuring the software engineering team has all of the tooling and infrastructure it needs to function well.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Mentoring other colleagues, and being a point of contact for software design expertise within the company.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Working with verification engineers to review verification and test plans.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Define architectural definitions for complex algorithmic and/or system level solutions.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Providing feedback to colleagues on feasibility of implementation and specification quality.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">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.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Engaging with customers, including helping with integration questions, or answering questions during technical sales calls.</li>
<li data-local-id="ed16aa5bc2f5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Ensuring clean lint and implementation reports for IP blocks and subsystems.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="strong">🎯 Required Skills And Qualifications</strong></p>
<ul>
<li data-local-id="b0fdf9945c0c" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Excellent written and verbal communication skills.</li>
<li data-local-id="4b42e7e35ac1" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Confidence in planning out a project development cycle and coordinating with project managers as development progresses.</li>
<li data-local-id="a443c1066507" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">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.</li>
<li data-local-id="72dd13eb0629" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Self-starter with the ability to work with and inspire a team.</li>
<li data-local-id="e7fe5099f3a8" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Experience building software IP blocks from scratch, and owning the process from initial specification through to customer delivery.</li>
<li data-local-id="86fcee610c73" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Expert level C experience in an embedded environment.</li>
<li data-local-id="1f7f26b13b4c" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Able to apply knowledge effectively in unfamiliar situations and actively maintains own knowledge and shares with others.</li>
<li data-local-id="533b7ec4b5b4" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Rapidly absorbs and critically assesses new information and applies it effectively.</li>
<li data-local-id="2276e74b92f0" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Specifies architectural solutions to technical challenges across multiple technical domains.</li>
<li data-local-id="7be1fb0bf4f6" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Understanding of cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and key management systems.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="strong">👍 Preferred Skills And Qualifications</strong></p>
<ul>
<li data-local-id="53b8a646ba1c" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Familiarity with PQC standards and protocols (e.g., NIST PQC).</li>
<li data-local-id="b2e0b0848303" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Familiarity with Rust in an Embedded environment.</li>
<li data-local-id="c77e2f9b6de8" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Previous experience with software/hardware co-designs.</li>
<li data-local-id="0a7f6aaa4622" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Arm & RISC-V experience.</li>
<li data-local-id="1626397dcecd" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Knowledge of side-channel security countermeasures.</li>
<li data-local-id="497cec53f378" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Confidence using Gitlab CI, or otherwise principles of continuous integration and testing.</li>
<li data-local-id="5be13d0a36e6" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Confidence with the Python programming language.</li>
<li data-local-id="cc36332b58c5" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Previous experience managing a cross-functional software team successfully.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="strong">🏆 Some of the perks of working with us:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li data-local-id="3f93816393a9" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Unparalleled opportunities to learn and accelerated career development.</li>
<li data-local-id="b684e8a99d1a" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">A collaborative, team environment with people who truly love what they do.</li>
<li data-local-id="4bfa362572e8" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Competitive salary and share option scheme.</li>
<li data-local-id="f0688f19a07b" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Flexible and hybrid working, and a working from home budget.</li>
<li data-local-id="9d65f512f2ff" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">Private health insurance for yourself and your family.</li>
<li data-local-id="1f32fc13e680" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and two wellness weeks).</li>
<li data-local-id="19e78e1ab17d" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">50% gym membership discount.</li>
<li data-local-id="6d14d961a72f" data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true">The chance to work with a spirited, smart, and friendly team!</li>
</ul><div class="content-conclusion"><p><em data-stringify-type="italic"><br>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.</em></p></div>
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