Director of Software Engineering

Director of Software Engineering

Reports to: VP of Engineering

Department: Engineering

Please note we can hire you in the following locations; UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, and Finland

If you are not based in one of these countries then we are unable to move forward with your application. 

About the role

PQShield is looking for a Director of Software Engineering to lead the development of next-generation software products and architectures tailored for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

In this leadership role, you will oversee the design, development, and optimisation of software solutions that secure and accelerate PQC algorithms, providing scalable and efficient cryptographic IP for software libraries and secure communication protocols.

As part of the Engineering leadership team, you will work closely with cross-functional groups, including cryptographers, hardware engineers, product managers, and external partners, to bring innovative PQC software solutions to market.

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

Leadership & Strategy:

• Define and execute the software engineering strategy, aligning with the company’s overall PQC product roadmap.
• Lead and mentor a team of software engineers, developers, and software security experts, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
• Champion and continuously refine Agile development processes (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) to improve team velocity, predictability, and product quality.
• Stay informed about trends in post-quantum cryptography and its software implementations to ensure competitive positioning and forward-thinking solutions.

Software Development & Architecture:

• Oversee the design and implementation of cryptographic software libraries, secure protocols, and secure IP blocks optimised for PQC algorithms.
• Drive the design and integration of software for use cases such as secure key management, secure communication protocols, and cryptographic agility.
• Ensure the software architecture supports scalable and high-performance designs suitable for embedded systems, mobile, cloud, and data centre applications.

Project Management & Process:

• Support the execution of software projects using Agile methodologies, overseeing sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives to ensure predictable delivery.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including cryptographers, hardware engineers, and external vendors to ensure seamless integration of software and cryptography solutions.
• Implement and enhance rigorous testing and verification methodologies, including a robust CI/CD pipeline for automated testing, integration, and deployment.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Work closely with the hardware and cryptography teams to ensure hardware-software co-design, ensuring that software products fully leverage the latest PQC hardware accelerators.
• Engage with external stakeholders, including open-source communities and enterprise customers, to manage the integration and deployment of PQC software IP.
• Communicate technical concepts and development progress to executives, product management, and customers in a clear and actionable way.

Security & Compliance:

• Ensure all software products meet the latest security standards and regulations for post-quantum cryptography.
• Maintain and enforce robust secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) principles, including side-channel attack resistance, secure coding practices, and cryptographic algorithm agility.

Required Skills And Qualifications

Required:

• Education: Phd, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field with a focus on cryptography or cybersecurity.
• Experience:

• 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.

• Technical Skills:

• Software Development & Agile Processes: Deep, hands-on experience with modern software development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Kanban), including backlog grooming, sprint planning, and performance metric tracking (e.g., velocity, burn-down charts).
• Advanced Cryptography: Understanding of cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and key management systems. Familiarity with PQC standards and protocols (e.g., NIST PQC).
• Security Architecture: Expertise in designing and implementing secure architectures for software and cloud environments.
• Embedded Systems: Knowledge of secure software for embedded systems and IoT security.
• Software Security: Experience with software-based security solutions and an understanding of secure coding practices and vulnerability analysis.
• Secure Implementation: Understanding of the secure implementation of cryptography and systems which use cryptography. Knowledge of Implementation attacks such as Side Channel and Fault injection and implementation countermeasures.

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.