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PQShield is seeking a Director of Software Engineering to lead the development of next-generation software products and architectures for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). This is a leadership role reporting to the VP of Engineering, where you will oversee the design, development, and optimization of software solutions that secure and accelerate PQC algorithms, providing scalable and efficient cryptographic IP for software libraries and secure communication protocols.
You will define and execute the software engineering strategy aligned with the company's PQC product roadmap. You'll lead and mentor a team of software engineers, developers, and software security experts, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence. You'll champion Agile development processes (Scrum, Kanban) to improve team velocity, predictability, and product quality, and stay informed about trends in post-quantum cryptography to ensure competitive positioning.
Key responsibilities include overseeing the design and implementation of cryptographic software libraries, secure protocols, and secure IP blocks optimized for PQC algorithms. You'll drive the design and integration of software for use cases such as secure key management, secure communication protocols, and cryptographic agility. You'll ensure the software architecture supports scalable and high-performance designs suitable for embedded systems, mobile, cloud, and data center applications.
You'll support the execution of software projects using Agile methodologies, coordinate cross-functional teams (cryptographers, hardware engineers, external vendors), and implement rigorous testing and verification methodologies including a robust CI/CD pipeline. You'll work closely with hardware and cryptography teams to ensure hardware-software co-design and engage with external stakeholders including open-source communities and enterprise customers.
Security and compliance are critical: you'll ensure all software products meet the latest security standards for post-quantum cryptography and maintain robust secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) principles, including side-channel attack resistance, secure coding practices, and cryptographic algorithm agility.
PQShield was established in 2018 and is a deep tech startup with founders and inventors on the team. The technology is mature with feasibility established, funding secured, and a clear path to market. This offers significant career progression opportunities in a rapidly expanding segment of the technology industry.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Education: PhD, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field with focus on cryptography or cybersecurity
- 10+ years of software development experience, with 5+ years in a leadership role
- Strong experience in software security, cryptographic software implementations (e.g., OpenSSL, BoringSSL), and knowledge of post-quantum cryptography
- Experience in secure software development and validation, including knowledge of C, C++, Rust, or other relevant languages
- Proven experience in bringing secure software products from concept to market
- Deep, hands-on experience with modern software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Kanban), including backlog grooming, sprint planning, and performance metric tracking
- Understanding of cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and key management systems; familiarity with PQC standards and protocols (e.g., NIST PQC)
- Expertise in designing and implementing secure architectures for software and cloud environments
- Knowledge of secure software for embedded systems and IoT security
- Experience with software-based security solutions, secure coding practices, and vulnerability analysis
- Understanding of secure implementation of cryptography and systems using cryptography; knowledge of implementation attacks (side channel, fault injection) and countermeasures
Location: Remote, available to hire in UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, and Finland. Some travel to offices (Oxford/London/Paris) required from time to time.
