Anti-Tamper Engineer & Subject Matter Expert (AT SME)

Anti-Tamper - Subject Matter Expert (AT SME)

Location: Beavercreek, OH (Hybrid Option)

Eligibility: US Citizen

Clearance: Secret clearance required. Ability to obtain Top Secret clearance.

Verification: Successful Full Scope Background Check Required.

Position: Principal Engineer / Senior Engineer / SME III / SME II / SME I

Description:

TECHFORGE Solutions, a TECHFORGE company, is looking for an experienced Anti-Tamper (AT) and Trusted/Secure Export Subject Matter Expert (SME) to join our team in the Dayton, OH office.

You will take complete, end-to-end ownership of technical interactions with commercial clients, USG program offices, and weapon and sensor system manufacturers in technical interchange meetings and Program Protection reviews to achieve a technically acceptable Anti-Tamper implementation. You will lead the analysis of systems and export programs, conduct vulnerability analyses of system level implementations and architectures, as well as develop and review Program Protection Plans, Science and Technology Protection Plans, and Anti-Tamper plans and annexes to provide technical written feedback, evaluations, and guidance to USG programs and commercial clients. You will evaluate protection methodologies and devices used to prevent exploitation of US system technology alone or with a team of engineers. You will participate in the verification testing of anti-tamper protection treatments and implementations. You will produce test reports on protected systems of interest and develop/apply your skills in circumventing AT protection techniques to better harden customer systems.

The ideal candidate must be self-motivated and explore alternatives for quickly prototyping to validate hypothetical architectures or solutions. They must be passionate about protecting customer systems from exploitation.

Responsibilities:

The AT SME will serve as the senior consultant working directly with the client's team of hardware and software subject matter experts (SME), the program Technical Lead, and the client Program Manager to support various project-specific research scope and deliverables providing value to our customers. You will also contribute to the growth of both our government customer and internal R&D capability to help advance Anti-Tamper and Trusted / Secure Export technologies.

• Analyze systems design documents and develop recommendations to improve the security of electro-mechanical systems and integrated electrical components within mechanical systems.
• Lead the analysis of systems and export programs, conduct vulnerability analyses of system level implementations and architectures.
• Develop and review Program Protection Plans, Science and Technology Protection Plans, and Anti-Tamper plans and annexes to provide technical written feedback, evaluations, and guidance to USG programs and commercial clients.
• Evaluate protection methodologies and devices used to prevent exploitation of US system technology alone or with a team of engineers.
• Participate in the verification testing of anti-tamper protection treatments and implementations.
• Produce test reports on protected systems of interest and apply your skills in circumventing AT protection techniques to better harden customer systems.
• Ensure designs meet security specifications, industry standards, and internal customer requirements.
• Analyze prototypes of electro-mechanical systems and conduct thorough security testing to ensure functionality, reliability, and performance.
• Identify areas for improvement and optimize designs based on test results.
• Work closely with electrical engineers and mechanical engineers to ensure smooth integration of security recommendations for electrical and mechanical components, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.
• Provide support for troubleshooting and resolving technical issues that arise during the manufacturing or testing phase.
• Identify opportunities to improve product designs and manufacturing processes to improve systems security.
• Recommend and implement changes that enhance product security, reliability, efficiency, and performance.
• Prepare detailed engineering documentation, including schematics, wiring diagrams, specifications, and user manuals related to anti-tamper implementation.
• Create reports to communicate findings and design progress to management and clients.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, quality assurance, and product management, to ensure the successful development and manufacturing of electro-mechanical systems security.
• Ensure that designs comply with relevant industry standards, codes, and safety regulations.
• Provide technical support and guidance to the production team during the assembly, testing, and installation of electro-mechanical systems.
• Offer training and troubleshooting assistance when needed.

As a TECHFORGE team member, the AT SME will work alone or on a team within an AGILE system / product development life cycle, supporting activities which include requirements creation, sprint planning, and grooming, etc. to collaborate across time zones via MS Teams collaboration tools, and frequent video conferences. Some travel will be required to meet with the remote engineering and software development teams.

Travel:

The role will be hybrid with some remote work options available; but, will require frequent time in the office and secure environments with clients and team members in Beavercreek, OH, as well as some travel out of state as necessary for team & client meetings, and/or presentations.

Requirements:

• All candidates must be U.S. Citizens.
• All candidates must pass a background check.
• Must have active (or recently inactive) Secret clearance to start.
• The ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance is also required, if needed.
• Must be able to travel up to 10% (CONUS) as needed.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a remote, collaborative, team environment.
• Experience with remote collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, WebEx, Meet, Zoom, etc.).
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

• Must possesses the capability to organize plans and programs specifying the nature and sequence of actions to be accomplished in a specific project.
• Must possesses 3+ years of professional experience in Systems integration/systems level engineering experience with DOD weapons or sensor systems, including electronic design, analysis or system test or system integration.
• Familiar with electronic components found in modern systems, including Integrated Circuit, FPGAs and ASIC technologies.
• Knowledgeable of protection features and devices.
• Familiarity with DOD 5000 series, DOD 5200 series, Defense Acquisition policy, and Horizontal Protection of DoD Critical Program Information.
• Knowledgeable of system development processes and system level testing.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and techniques.
• Experience recommending and implementing changes that enhance product security, reliability, efficiency, and performance.
• Experience identifying areas for improvement and optimization of designs based on test results.
• Experience engaging groups across the government microelectronics space and anti-tamper organizations to support technical roadmaps for technology trade space and selection.
• Willing to learn the associated tools for tasking, planning, researching and data routing as applied within the scope of the program.
• Experience supporting the development of Program Protection Plans, Science and Technology Protection Plans, and Anti-Tamper plans and annexes, and other project documentation.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, comfortable interacting with technical peers and the ability to work as part of a team required.
• Ability to communicate technical issues clearly and effectively and execute assignments with little supervision and actively participate in a collaborative team environment.
• Proficient technical writing skills and the ability to produce reports and presentations.
• Ability to generate and evaluate technical documents and reports.
• Ability to create technical briefings and materials and effectively present technical material to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Willing to travel to CONUS and/or OCONUS work locations 2-4 times per year.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Physics, Engineering Physics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field and at least 8 years of related experience; or 5 years of professional experience with a Masters, or 3 or more years professional experience with a PhD.

Desired Skills:

• Knowledgeable of system development processes and system level testing a plus.
• Microelectronics/Embedded Systems security experience such as Defensive Cyber or Anti-Tamper.
• Experience in FPGA or ASIC development including requirements definition, design, simulation, implementation, tape out, and testing.
• Proficient in Hardware Description Languages (HDL) such as VHDL or Verilog and associated software tools.
• Proficient in embedded software development, debug, and testing.
• Experience with 3D Modeling, Computer-Aided Design.
• Experience with MATLAB, Octave, SIMULINK, SolidWorks, and/or other modeling tools.
• Experience working in a classified research environment.
• Prior experience implementing systems engineering tools and techniques.
• Strong interest in in learning new tools, languages, workflows, and philosophies.

Salary:

The salary range for this role is a competitive estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, TECHFORGE takes many factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the candidate's education, training, work experience, and key skills related to the role.

Our Company:

TECHFORGE Solutions (TFS) is an Aerospace and Defense company located in Beavercreek, Ohio. Our amazing team is consistently delivering solutions to our customers' most challenging problems in core business areas including aerospace systems, autonomy, business intelligence, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, data science, and enterprise risk governance. TECHFORGE is a leader in innovation and technology commercialization. At TECHFORGE Solutions we are committed to providing a work environment that is exciting, challenging, and deeply rewarding. We value our employees and provide industry leading benefits, rewards, and a healthy workplace to support them.

Due to the nature of our work, U.S. citizenship is required for employment, and employees may be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

To learn more about us, please visit: www.techforge.solutions

Equal Opportunity Employer:

TECHFORGE is committed to providing equal opportunity to applicants and employees without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all areas of employment including recruitment, placement, training, transfer, promotion, lay off, termination, pay, and other forms of compensation and benefits. The Company will comply with its legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

We are committed to providing accessibility to employment opportunities for person with disabilities.

Work Environment and Responsibilities:

Every candidate is expected to be able to handle multiple priorities and the demands of a fast-paced environment. This role will operate in a professional office environment; whether on-site, remote, hybrid, or client-site.

Physical Environment and Responsibilities:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions required of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Other Duties/Changes:

This role description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all duties, responsibilities or activities that are required of a team member for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and job-related activities may change at any time. At any point in time, the essential functions and primary duties associated with this position will be the principal, major or most important duties, responsibilities and activities that the employee is expected to perform as determined and directed by management.

About TECHFORGE Solutions:

Enterprise Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC). We help companies safeguard their Intellectual Property (IP) with lifecycle focused program protection, IP security, and Anti-Tamper engineering to secure their most valuable technologies from theft, tampering, reverse engineering, and exploitation. Our experts deliver end-to-end protection across hardware, software, and integrated systems. Core Capabilities: - Program Protection Engineering - Intellectual Property (IP) Protection - Anti-Tamper Engineering - Compliance & Regulatory Support - Lifecycle Security Support