Director of Software Engineering

<h2><strong>Director of Software Engineering</strong></h2> <p>Reports to: VP of Engineering</p> <p>Department: Engineering</p> <p><strong>Please note we can hire you in the following locations; UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, and Finland</strong></p> <p><strong>If you are not based in one of these countries then we are unable to move forward with your application.&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>💼 About the role</strong></h3> <p>PQShield is looking for a <strong>Director of Software Engineering</strong> to lead the development of next-generation software products and architectures tailored for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).</p> <p>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<strong> </strong>software libraries and secure communication protocols.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <h3><strong>⚒️ What you’ll be doing</strong></h3> <p><strong>Leadership &amp; Strategy:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Define and execute the software engineering strategy, aligning with the company’s overall PQC product roadmap.</li> <li>Lead and mentor a team of software engineers, developers, and software security experts, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.</li> <li>Champion and continuously refine Agile development processes (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) to improve team velocity, predictability, and product quality.</li> <li>Stay informed about trends in post-quantum cryptography and its software implementations to ensure competitive positioning and forward-thinking solutions.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Software Development &amp; Architecture:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Oversee the design and implementation of cryptographic software libraries, secure protocols, and secure IP blocks optimised for PQC algorithms.</li> <li>Drive the design and integration of software for use cases such as secure key management, secure communication protocols, and cryptographic agility.</li> <li>Ensure the software architecture supports scalable and high-performance designs suitable for embedded systems, mobile, cloud, and data centre applications.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Project Management &amp; Process:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Support the execution of software projects using Agile methodologies, overseeing sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives to ensure predictable delivery.</li> <li>Coordinate cross-functional teams, including cryptographers, hardware engineers, and external vendors to ensure seamless integration of software and cryptography solutions.</li> <li>Implement and enhance rigorous testing and verification methodologies, including a robust CI/CD pipeline for automated testing, integration, and deployment.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Collaboration &amp; Communication:</strong></p> <ul> <li>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.</li> <li>Engage with external stakeholders, including open-source communities and enterprise customers, to manage the integration and deployment of PQC software IP.</li> <li>Communicate technical concepts and development progress to executives, product management, and customers in a clear and actionable way.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Security &amp; Compliance:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Ensure all software products meet the latest security standards and regulations for post-quantum cryptography.</li> <li>Maintain and enforce robust secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) principles, including side-channel attack resistance, secure coding practices, and cryptographic algorithm agility.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>🎯 Required Skills And Qualifications</strong></h3> <p><strong>Required:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Education:</strong> Phd, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering<strong>,</strong> or a related field with a focus on cryptography or cybersecurity.</li> <li><strong>Experience:</strong></li