Hardware Security Engineer Consultant

Location: Full-time on-site at the hirify.global Campus in Melbourn, near Cambridge, UK

Company

Awerian is a research and technology development consultancy within hirify.global Group, delivering advanced R&D services and cyber-physical security solutions for the UK defence and national security sector.

What you will do

• Research and test critical systems to understand their hardware, software, infrastructure, and user interactions.
• Identify cyber-physical vulnerabilities and assess their implications for niche applications.
• Generate novel concepts and rapidly design, build, and troubleshoot hardware prototypes and proof-of-concept demonstrators.
• Integrate third-party components and develop custom system elements in emerging technology settings.
• Analyse results, present conclusions, and recommend areas for further research.
• Work with defence and industry clients to understand requirements and deliver high-quality technical outcomes.

Requirements

• Strong undergraduate degree in engineering, computer science, physics, or a related subject.
• Understanding of electronics hardware, sensors, and systems in real-world applications.
• Experience interfacing with and debugging hardware using protocols such as JTAG and UART or test equipment such as oscilloscopes.
• Ability to design and build hardware prototypes and demonstrators.
• Creative problem-solving skills, an independent mindset, and broad interest in cybersecurity.
• Eligibility for UK security clearance is required; UKVI visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice to have

• Experience in the UK defence and security sector or in client-facing roles.
• Vulnerability research and reverse engineering experience.
• Experience with cyber-physical systems, embedded low-level programming, or tamper-proof electronics.
• Knowledge of communications, networking, protocol analysis, RF technologies, or software-defined radio.

Culture & Benefits

• Flat, open, and collaborative structure with autonomy and responsibility.
• Project leadership, client management, and commercial development opportunities alongside technical work.
• Formal and informal mentorship through Project Leaders, People Managers, skills communities, and in-house training.
• Annual profit-related bonus, virtual shares, and a 10% employer pension contribution.
• Private medical insurance, life insurance worth six times salary, 25 days of holiday, and enhanced parental leave.
• Free on-site lunch, relocation support where applicable, and transport, car-leasing, cycling, sports, and theatre benefits.