Reports to: Lead Hardware Verification Engineer
Department: Engineering
Please note we can hire you in the following locations; UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, Spain.
If you are not based in one of these countries then we are unable to move forward with your application.
💼 About the role
We’re seeking a Hardware Verification Engineer who thrives on solving hard problems, building tools that make life easier for others, and driving verification with both rigor and creativity. This is not a checkbox role — we want someone who is hands-on, curious, and motivated to go beyond the obvious.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in software development, cryptography, and secure product development, with a focus on delivering secure, high-performance, and efficient products.
We have been established since 2018, so you would be directly working with the founders and inventors of this deep tech startup. The technology is already a couple of years in the making, its feasibility having been established, funding secured, and it has a clear path to market. This is a great opportunity for career progression and to get a head start in a rapidly expanding segment of the technology industry.
⚒️ What you’ll be doing
You'll be a part of a team verifying security-critical designs where thoroughness is everything. On a daily basis, you will:
- Build and extend UVM testbenches to verify cryptographic IPs and subsystems.
- Develop Python-based tools and automation to improve verification productivity.
- Use formal verification creatively, writing properties beyond canned apps to prove tricky scenarios.
- Debug at every level - from low-level waveforms to algorithmic mismatches.
- Collaborate with design, software, and architecture teams to ensure real-world use cases are covered.
- Approach designs with a "break it to make it" mindset, thinking like an attacher to expose weaknesses.
Beyond hands-on verification, you will also:
- Influence and define methodologies and strategies for design verification.
- Develop testbench architectures using UVM and formal-based approaches.
- Define verification plans, functional coverage models, and test strategies for block and subsystem verification.
- Lead verification at IP or SoC level, including effort estimation, scheduling, task assignment, and reporting progress to management.
- Drive coverage closure and sign-off quality across complex designs.
- Mentor junior engineers and help raise the team’s overall capability.
🎯 Required Skills And Qualifications
Preferred:
- Strong background in UVM-based verification at IP and subsystem levels.
- Proficiency in Python for tool development and automations.
- Practical formal verification experience, beyond app-based use.
- Knowledge of cryptographic algorithms (AES, SHA< ECC, etc.) and hardware/software security concepts.
- Software-oriented thinking (C/C++ or scripting languages) for HW/SW co-verification.
- Demonstrated leadership in planning and executing verification projects.
- Self-driven, resourceful, and persistent when solving tough technical challenges.
- Excellent debugging and problem solving skills with strong attention to detail.
🏆 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!
Interested? Apply today to be part of the future of secure hardware! 🚀
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.
