Firmware Architect

Description -

The Security and Software Architecture Team (SSAT) designs and architects' security across the platform stack, from above‑the‑OS software to below‑the‑OS firmware and foundational platform technologies such as BIOS/UEFI and embedded controllers. The team drives security innovation by embedding secure design principles early, enabling scalable, resilient platform security that improves product quality and customer trust.

Job Summary
• This role is responsible for overseeing the design, development, and optimization of embedded software and firmware for hardware products. The role contributes innovative ideas and leads large cross-functional teams, exercising independent judgment to solve unique and complex problems impacting the business. The role acts as a functional manager within area of expertise, developing strategy and setting functional policy and direction. The role provides mentorship and guidance to lower-level employees, thus, ensuring the realization of operational and strategic plans.

Responsibilities
• Leads the preparation and creation of instructional technical manuscripts for firmware operation.
• Reviews firmware code, provides technical feedback, and ensures adherence to coding standards and best practices.
• Manages resources to complete programming projects, and designs detailed plans to ensure firmware is functioning properly.
• Leads multiple project teams of other software firmware engineers and internal and outsourced development partners responsible for all stages of design and development for complex products and platforms.
• Works with product architects, firmware teams, product managers and provides critical guidance, system-level debugging and troubleshooting to various teams, as a Subject Matter Expert.
• Reviews and evaluates designs and project activities for compliance with systems design and development guidelines and standards; provides tangible feedback to improve product quality and mitigate failure risk.
• Manages and expands relationships with internal and outsourced development partners on firmware design and development.
• Serves as an expert on all firmware related topics and acts as overall firmware leadership to provide perspective to cross- organization projects, programs, and activities.
• Drives innovation and integration of new technologies into projects and activities in the firmware design organization.
• Mentors less-experienced software firmware engineers and help guide them to successful deliverables.
 

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture & Design
  • Define and maintain the firmware based security features for x86-based platforms.
  • Integrate security principles into firmware design, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
  • Drive innovation and adoption of new technologies in firmware and security architecture.
  • Documenting designs and specifications
• Development
  • Design and implement firmware components, including BIOS/UEFI modules, EFI drivers, and low-level hardware interfaces.
  • Write efficient, maintainable code in C for firmware subsystems.
  • Develop automated testing strategies for firmware validation and security assurance.
• Security
  • Apply advanced security architecture methodologies to protect firmware integrity and resilience.
  • Conduct threat modeling and risk assessments for firmware components.
  • Collaborate with security teams to implement secure boot, cryptographic protections, and firmware update mechanisms.
• Collaboration & Leadership
  • Work closely with hardware engineers, OS teams, and security architects to ensure seamless integration.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers.
  • Participate in cross-functional initiatives and represent firmware architecture in strategic discussions.
• Proven expertise in:
  • x86 architecture and platform initialization.
  • UEFI/BIOS development and standards.
  • Firmware-level security methodologies (secure boot, cryptography, threat modeling).
  • C programming for low-level systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills for technical and executive audiences.

Education & Experience Recommended
• Four-year or Graduate Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, or any other related discipline or commensurate work experience or demonstrated competence.
• Typically has 10+ years of firmware experience, or a related field.

Impact & Scope
• Impacts large functions and leads large, cross-division functional teams or projects.

Complexity
• Provides highly innovative solutions to complex problems within established policy.

Disclaimer
• This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management

The pay range for this role is $147,050 to $230,850 USD annually with additional opportunities for pay in the form of bonus and/or equity (applies to United States of America candidates only). Pay varies by work location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits:

HP offers a comprehensive benefits package for this position, including:

 * Health insurance
 * Dental insurance
 * Vision insurance
 * Long term/short term disability insurance
 * Employee assistance program
 * Flexible spending account
 * Life insurance
 * Generous time off policies, including;
 * 4-12 weeks fully paid parental leave based on tenure
 * 11 paid holidays
 * Additional flexible paid vacation and sick leave (US benefits overview
   [https://hpbenefits.ce.alight.com/])

The compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Job -

Software

Schedule -

Full time

Shift -

No shift premium (United States of America)

Travel -

Relocation -

Yes

Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) - 

HP, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prospective employees, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, uniformed service status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable national, federal, state, and local law(s).

Please be assured that you will not be subject to any adverse treatment if you choose to disclose the information requested. This information is provided voluntarily. The information obtained will be kept in strict confidence.

For more information, review HP’s EEO Policy or read about your rights as an applicant under the law here: “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal"