1

Hardware Security Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

FPGA Engineer

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$114K - $146K/yr

Apply Now RTL, C/C++, Python, VHDL, Verilog, Tcl, cryptography, hardware, embedded software, System Integration, Hardware Security, Xilinx, Simulation, IP core, Versal, Stratix, concept to deployment ...

FPGA Engineer

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$128K - $164K/yr

Description Apply Now RTL, C/C++, Python, VHDL, Verilog, Tcl, cryptography, hardware, embedded software, System Integration, Hardware Security, Xilinx, Simulation, IP core, Versal, Stratix, concept ...

Desktop Technician

Denver, CO · On-site

$20.75 - $26.50/hr

Desired Skills: 1) Understanding of core technologies in the area of IT (Networking, telephony, operating systems, hardware, security, support, etc.). Additional Information All your information will ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Hardware Security information

See Colorado salary details

$12

$25

$50

How much do hardware security jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for hardware security in Colorado is $25.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.46 and $29.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is hardware security?

Hardware security refers to the protection of physical devices and components, such as computers, servers, and embedded systems, from attacks and unauthorized access. This field involves securing hardware against threats like tampering, cloning, side-channel attacks, and hardware Trojans. Hardware security specialists use techniques such as secure hardware design, cryptographic modules, and physical security measures to ensure device integrity and data protection. It is essential for industries where sensitive information is stored or processed, including finance, healthcare, and defense.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in hardware security, and why are they important?

To thrive in Hardware Security, you need expertise in embedded systems, cryptography, and vulnerability assessment, usually supported by a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like FPGA development environments, hardware description languages (HDL), side-channel analysis tools, and certifications such as CISSP or CEH are highly beneficial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear communication help professionals identify risks and convey complex security concepts. These skills and qualifications are vital for effectively protecting hardware devices against evolving security threats and ensuring the integrity of critical systems.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in hardware security roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in hardware security often encounter challenges such as staying ahead of rapidly evolving attack techniques and ensuring the secure design of complex hardware systems. Keeping up with emerging threats requires continuous learning and close collaboration with cross-functional teams like firmware, software, and product design. Addressing these challenges involves implementing robust security protocols, conducting regular vulnerability assessments, and participating in industry forums to share best practices. Teamwork and ongoing education are essential for success in this dynamic field.

What is the difference between Hardware Security vs Network Security?

AspectHardware SecurityNetwork Security
FocusProtecting physical devices and hardware components from tampering and attacksProtecting data and systems over networks from unauthorized access and cyber threats
CredentialsSecurity certifications like CISSP, CompTIA Security+, hardware-specific knowledgeCertifications like CISSP, CEH, network security certifications
Work EnvironmentData centers, hardware manufacturing facilities, secure labsOffice networks, cloud environments, remote locations
Industry UsageElectronics manufacturing, data centers, government agenciesIT companies, financial institutions, service providers

Hardware Security focuses on safeguarding physical devices and components, ensuring they are resistant to tampering and physical attacks. Network Security, on the other hand, aims to protect data and systems over communication networks from cyber threats. While both roles require security certifications and work within the broader cybersecurity industry, their primary concerns and environments differ significantly.

Infographic showing various Hardware Security job openings in Colorado as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 13% Temporary, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $53,789 per year, or $25.9 per hour.

Senior Embedded Hardware Security Engineer with Security Clearance

Colorado Springs, CO • On-site

MITRE Corporation
IT Services • 5 - 10K employees

$110K - $152K/yr

Other

Posted 23 days ago


MITRE Corporation rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We're a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies - collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation's health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose - and help shape the future. MITRE's Electronic Systems Security department is seeking to hire talented and creative engineers with a focus on hardware reverse engineering of embedded systems to support advanced research and development projects of national significance. Qualified candidates will join a department with deep technical expertise across many embedded security disciplines including software vulnerability research and reverse engineering, hardware reverse engineering, secure computing, implementation security, and wireless security. Our diverse set of sponsors and research objectives provide a wide variety of opportunities to advance the state-of-the-art in embedded security. Roles & Responsibilities: Senior engineers in the embedded hardware reverse engineering team will develop and apply their technical expertise to: * Perform hands-on security assessments of embedded systems
* Design and build prototypes to demonstrate advanced capabilities for measuring and instrumenting board- and component-level interfaces
* Develop software for orchestrating complex lab experiments, instrumenting hardware and lab equipment for data collection, measurement, and analysis
* Research and develop new approaches and countermeasures for emerging threats to embedded systems
* Shape creative and innovative ideas through internal research programs to advance the state-of-the-art in hardware security
* Track, adapt, and apply academic and industry advances in hardware security analysis and protection techniques to secure our sponsors' systems
* Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams conducting embedded security research, vulnerability assessment, and hardware/software co-design.
* Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, while leading tasks and/or teams of engineers
* Communicate and document technical approaches, risks, and results to sponsors and stakeholders
* Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers Basic Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field and 5 years of related experience; or Master's degree/PhD in a similar field and 3 years of related experience
* Experience with embedded system tear-down, board-level reverse engineering, vulnerability analysis, and circuit/component modifications
* Experience with board- and component-level instrumentation, measurement, and protocol analysis
* Experience with printed circuit board design, layout, and understanding of component packaging
* Experience with software development (e.g., C/C++, Python)
* Understanding of protections against physical attacks including secure boot, tamper sensing, secure key storage, memory encryption/authentication, and debug interface disablement
* Ability to independently execute complex technical work in collaborative environments
* Effective oral and written communication skills
* Applicants selected for this position will be subject to a US government security investigation and must be able to obtain a Department of Defense SECRET clearance
* Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance. * This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site Preferred Qualifications: * Master's degree or PhD in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
* Active security clearance, especially Top Secret or TS/SCI.
* Experience with netlist recreation of printed circuit boards using X-ray or destructive imaging
* Experience with prototyping printed circuit boards for probing or injecting high-speed signals
* Experience with solder rework/chip-off techniques and non-volatile memory extraction
* Experience with anti-tamper design, implementation, evaluation, and/or research
* Experience developing embedded software in C/C++
* Demonstrated technical leadership and mentoring experience
* Experience with one or more, and familiarity with all, of the following technical areas:
* Application of side-channel analysis and/or fault injection to black-box systems
* Analysis of cryptographic algorithms and protocols
* Analysis of RF protocols
* Analysis of security architectures of modern commercial processors and SoCs
* Embedded firmware reverse engineering
* FPGA and/or system-on-chip (SoC) development
* Signal processing This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
None This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Secret Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$126,800 - $158,500 - $190,200 Annual Work Location Type:
Onsite It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law. MITRE intends to maintain a website that is fully accessible to all individuals. If you are unable to search or apply for jobs and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of MITRE's employment process, please email for general support and for intern positions. This service is for individuals requiring reasonable accommodation requests. Please note that vendor solicitations will not receive a reply. Benefits information may be found here . Copyright © 1997-2026, The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved. MITRE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. Material on this site may be copied and distributed with permission only.

What MITRE Corporation employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


MITRE logo

About MITRE

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges-and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day-working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities, and a culture of innovation that embraces diversity, inclusion, flexibility, collaboration, and career growth. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE-and make a difference with us. MITRE is a trusted operator of federally funded research and development centers and we're on a mission to make the world a safer place-for all of humanity, today and in the future. To deliver on our mission, we need the world's best talent and leaders-groundbreakers and partnership-builders on a global scale in areas like healthcare, artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure resiliency, pandemic management, and cybersecurity. In return, we have the privilege of backing you with thousands of technical experts in diverse fields, a culture of innovation and knowledge sharing, access to data and resources uniquely available to MITRE through our wide-ranging partnerships across government, industry and academia.

Industry

It services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1958

Social media