Comcast Cybersecurity: Senior Embedded Researcher, PQC Engineering

Make your mark at Comcast -- a Fortune 30 global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, we reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. Become part of our award-winning technology team that turns big ideas into cutting-edge products, platforms, and solutions that our customers love. We create space to innovate, and we recognize, reward, and invest in your ideas, while ensuring you can proudly bring your authentic self to the workplace. Join us. You’ll do the best work of your career right here at Comcast. (In most cases, Comcast prefers to have employees on-site collaborating unless the team has been designated as virtual due to the nature of their work. If a position is listed with both office locations and virtual offerings, Comcast may be willing to consider candidates who live greater than 100 miles from the office for the remote option.)

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Senior Hardware/Embedded Engineer to focus on research and development of advanced cryptographic solutions with an emphasis on post-quantum cryptography within Comcast. This role is vital to preparing Comcast systems and critical infrastructure for future cryptographic challenges posed by advancements in quantum computing. The ideal candidate will have robust cryptographic expertise, research skills, and hands-on experience in building, testing, and deploying security solutions, including embedded engineering and development. This position focuses on engineering, development, research, and building hardware-based proof-of-concepts (POCs) for next-generation PQC enabled technologies and platforms.

Job Description

Core Responsibilities

Technical Engineering & Development 

• Develop and implement cryptographic systems and integrate quantum-safe algorithms that are resilient against quantum computing threats. 

• Build proof-of-concept models to demonstrate the viability and performance of post-quantum cryptographic solutions and algorithms in the existing platforms and infrastructure, including embedded systems. 

• Ensure cryptographic implementations meet all relevant regulatory, compliance, and industry standards. 

• Collaborate with hardware and device teams to ensure seamless integration of cryptographic features in embedded platforms.

Research and Innovation 

• Conduct thorough research on emerging trends in cryptographic technology and quantum computing. 

• Experiment with latest cryptographic algorithms and technologies, including pre-releases and open-source implementations from NIST such as Kyber, Dilithium, Falcon, etc. 

• Document findings and provide recommendations for adopting new cryptographic methods and tools. 

• Collaborate with academia and industry partners to stay informed on the latest advancements and incorporate them into practical applications. 

• Building proof-of-concepts, filing patents, and writing technical papers. 

• Representing Comcast at external conferences and events to demonstrate community impact and thought leadership 

Collaboration and Communication 

• Work closely with cross-functional teams including engineering, product management, and security, to integrate cryptographic solutions. 

• Participate in industry forums and conferences to represent the company's interests and gather insights on cryptographic standards and practices. 

• Strategic engagement in IoT standards such as CSA Matter. 

• Communicate complex technical ideas and results to a non-technical audience as needed, ensuring alignment and understanding across all teams. 

Qualifications:

Experience

• BS in Cybersecurity, Privacy, Computer Science, or a related field. MS or PhD is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience after Bachelors, 3 years after Masters, and 2 years after PhD in cryptography and hardware security. Prior experience with post-quantum cryptography is preferred.
• Established track record of research accomplishments through publications, patents, or open-source projects in relevant domains. 

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of cryptographic principles and algorithms, particularly in post-quantum cryptography. 

• Familiarity in protocols essential to secure communications, such as TLS, PKI, QUIC, MATTER, MACSec, etc. 

• Strong embedded programming skills in languages such as C/C++, Python (is optional).
• Experience in embedded and hardware systems design and optimization for cryptographic purposes. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Prior experience programming FPGA would be preferred. 
• Hands-on experience with NIST post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, such as Kyber, Dilithium, Falcon, and others, including familiarity with their existing implementations and available open-source solutions.

Soft Skills: 

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas and results clearly. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an aptitude for innovative thinking. 

• Collaborative mindset, capable of working effectively in a team-oriented environment. 

• Self-motivated and adaptable to evolving technological landscapes. 

Employees at all levels are expected to:

• Understand our Operating Principles; make them the guidelines for how you do your job.
• Own the customer experience - think and act in ways that put our customers first, give them seamless digital options at every touchpoint, and make them promoters of our products and services.
• Know your stuff - be enthusiastic learners, users and advocates of our game-changing technology, products and services, especially our digital tools and experiences.
• Win as a team - make big things happen by working together and being open to new ideas.
• Be an active part of the Net Promoter System - a way of working that brings more employee and customer feedback into the company - by joining huddles, making call backs and helping us elevate opportunities to do better for our customers.
• Drive results and growth.
• Respect and promote inclusion & diversity.
• Do what's right for each other, our customers, investors and our communities.

Disclaimer:

• This information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications.

Comcast is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Skills:

Cryptography; Hardware Design; Embedded C++

Base pay is one part of the Total Rewards that Comcast provides to compensate and recognize employees for their work. Most sales positions are eligible for a Commission under the terms of an applicable plan, while most non-sales positions are eligible for a Bonus. Additionally, Comcast provides best-in-class Benefits to eligible employees. We believe that benefits should connect you to the support you need when it matters most, and should help you care for those who matter most. That’s why we provide an array of options, expert guidance and always-on tools, that are personalized to meet the needs of your reality – to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. Please visit the compensation and benefits summary on our careers site for more details.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

While possessing the stated degree is preferred, Comcast also may consider applicants who hold some combination of coursework and experience, or who have extensive related professional experience.

Relevant Work Experience

5-7 Years