Semiconductor Engineer - Silicon Lab

"Making the world a safer and more secure place."

It’s our mission, plain and simple. It drives everything we do – from research to client work to community involvement. And it unifies our global team into an elite force with integrity, fierce passion, and relentless creativity that doesn’t just “push the envelope” or “think outside the box.” We shred the envelope, crush the box, and we have fun doing it.

We are always looking for people who share our mission to join us.

IOActive, a trusted partner for Global 1000 enterprises, provides research‑fueled security services across all industries. Our cutting‑edge cybersecurity teams provide highly specialized technical and programmatic services including full‑stack penetration testing, program efficacy assessments, and hardware hacking. IOActive brings a unique attacker’s perspective to every engagement to maximize cybersecurity investments and improve the security posture and operational resiliency of our clients. Founded in 1998, IOActive is headquartered in Seattle with global operations, including state‑of‑the‑art hardware hacking labs in Seattle, WA, Madrid, Spain and Cheltenham, UK.

The Seattle Silicon Lab is responsible for performing high‑end security evaluations and research for our clients focusing on embedded devices. This includes systems which utilize SoCs/ICs using technology nodes between 180 nm and 22 nm. These chips may be used in automobiles, payment devices, mobile phones, satcom, entertainment consoles and medical devices. The Senior Engineer will work with other team members to deliver the highest quality results to IOActive’s clients throughout the world.

Our experts operate at the very highest level of expertise regarding Integrated Circuit (IC) deprocessing techniques and high‑resolution imaging. This requires expert knowledge and experience in areas such chemical/physical material preparation techniques and electron/ion beam imaging.

The Semiconductor Engineer will work under the Senior Director of Silicon Lab Services to undertake advanced level security evaluation tasks and duties in order to meet customer requirements and project deadlines. This includes:

• Take packaged silicon devices and investigate them down to transistor level
• Make observations on physical security countermeasures encountered during deprocessing
• Develop and optimize sophisticated, state‑of‑the‑art deprocessing and imaging techniques
• Research evolving deprocessing and imaging techniques, source instrumentation and integrate into the IOActive silicon lab workflow
• Help software developers create tools to assist in reaching project goals
• Communicate complex vulnerabilities to both technical and non‑technical client staff
• Learn, develop and optimise invasive attack techniques for use in data extraction
• Evangelize IOActive Labs through blogs, white papers, presentations, etc.
• Support business development efforts through the scoping of engagements

• Deep understanding of SEM and FIB techniques
• Demonstrable skills in operation of FIB and SEM instruments
• Basic understanding of optical imaging techniques
• Soldering and desoldering skills
• Knowledge of semiconductor device fabrication techniques
  
  Hands‑on experience of semiconductor deprocessing techniques
• Chemical handling experience
• Awareness of safe working practices when working with liquid and gaseous chemicals
• Knowledge of semiconductor packaging processes
• Previous exposure to security countermeasures at the silicon level

• Ability to work independently under deadline
• Rigorous attention to detail and strong analytic skills
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Comfortable working as part of a multi‑national and multi‑disciplinary team
• Logical and structured approach to work

• The salary range for this position is $80‑120k annually
• USA benefits package includes PTO, Holiday, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) match, Long and Short Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Business Travel Insurance

🎯 A chance to work with an industry leader in cyber security

💡 Access to…