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.

About IOActive: 

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 180nm and 22nm. 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.

Who you are:

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.

What you’ll do:

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 on 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
• Assist research on new attack vectors, discover new vulnerabilities, create new exploitation techniques
• 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

What you bring:

Technical Skills (required)

• 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

General Skills

• 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

Salary Range & Benefits

• 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

What We Offer 

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

💡 Access to world-class technical teams and research

🏆 A high-energy, collaborative team that values innovation

✈️ Opportunities for travel across the UK and EMEA

💰 Competitive compensation and performance-based incentives

If this sounds like your kind of challenge, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s talk!

Why IOActive:

We have over 25 years of experience that’s established and stable; yet high-growth with the energy, passion and dynamic work environment of a startup. We are renowned for our innovation and thought leadership within our high-profile, cutting edge space. We're one of “the good guys” doing crazy cool stuff to thwart bad guys in a critically important business, social and political arena. Our work is great fun with great importance. Above all else, we value our people and our customers. Relationships matter.

IOActive is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. IOActive makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.