Principal Engineer – MPU BootROM Lead

Principal Engineer MPU BootROM Lead

Build the secure boot and Root of Trust foundation for a next-gen RISC-V MPU platform.

About GlobalFoundries

GlobalFoundries is a leading full-service semiconductor foundry providing a unique combination of design, development, and fabrication services to some of the world’s most inspired technology companies. With a global manufacturing footprint spanning three continents, GlobalFoundries make possible the technologies and systems that transform industries and give customers the power to shape their markets. For more information, visit www.gf.com.

About the Role

We’re building a next-generation, application-class RISC-V MPU SoC platform for Linux systems - bringing together multimedia, industrial connectivity, security, and heterogeneous compute subsystems.

In the Platform Software team, you’ll own key pieces of secure boot and Root of Trust enablement, partner closely with architecture and hardware teams, and help shape SoC security decisions with hands-on data from pre-silicon, FPGA, and first-silicon debug.

Key Responsibilities

• Secure boot & RoT development: design, implement, and maintain a production-quality secure boot and Root of Trust stack for a 64-bit RISC-V MPU platform.

• Enable and harden the boot and firmware stack (boot flow, early platform initialization, BootROM/FSBL, U-Boot, OpenSBI/firmware handoff as applicable).

• Drive OS-level enablement for security: kernel/BSP integration, Device Tree updates, reserved memory regions, firmware interfaces, and secure/non-secure boundary definitions.

• Develop and debug platform security components and drivers (crypto accelerators, key services, secure storage, lifecycle/provisioning flows, anti-rollback, and attestation hooks as applicable).

• Deliver security collateral as part of SDK releases: integration, validation, and developer-facing documentation (bring-up/debug notes, known issues, and release readiness).

• Pre- & post-silicon validation (AVV): create tests, validate on FPGA/first silicon, and root-cause issues across HW/FW/kernel (boot, crypto, isolation, and lifecycle).

Required Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Computer Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, or a related field.

• Strong experience minimum 10-13 years in low-level firmware/boot software, secure boot, and Root of Trust development on SoCs.

• Expert-level C programming; comfortable reading low-level firmware and kernel-adjacent code.

• Strong Linux internals knowledge: boot flow, memory management/MMU basics, privilege/isolation concepts, and system-level debugging.

• Hands-on SoC/platform bring-up experience and ownership mindset for security and boot-stack quality.

• Hands-on with U-Boot, Linux kernel, Device Tree, and Yocto/Open Embedded (or equivalent build systems).

• Strong debugging skills with GDB and at least one of OpenOCD/JTAG, Lauterbach, or similar tools.

• Experience working on FPGA, emulation, or early-silicon platforms for bring-up/validation.

Good to Have

• RISC-V (RV64) security experience or strong exposure to other application-class CPU security architectures (ARM TrustZone/EL3, etc.).

• Background in pre-silicon/FPGA validation or post-silicon debug and triage for boot/security issues.

• Familiarity with platform security building blocks: secure boot, lifecycle/provisioning, secure storage, anti-rollback, attestation, and firmware/OS boundaries.

• Experience with OpenSBI, secure monitor/firmware layers, and early-boot isolation (PMP/sPMP/IOPMP or equivalents).

• Exposure to CI/CD and automated validation (test frameworks, dashboards, regressions) for boot/security quality.

What We Offer

• Build a secure boot and Root of Trust stack from the ground up and see it shipped in real products.

• End-to-end ownership across pre-silicon → FPGA → first silicon → production SDK releases.

• Work closely with architects and SoC teams; your validation data drives security decisions.

• Deep technical work, strong peer group, and long-term growth on a strategic platform.

Here’s what you can expect from us: 

At MIPS, you’ll be a member of a fast-growing team of technologists that are creating the industry’s highest performance RISC-V processors.  Small teams that are part of a non-compartmentalized structure – you’ll be able to understand and have an impact on the bigger picture. A great deal of autonomy, with support from some of the industry’s most experienced CPU engineers. An unlimited growth path – with the right skills, you can decide where you want to expand and grow in your role at MIPS. The opportunity to learn a great deal about the blossoming RISC-V architecture in cutting edge applications with industry leading customers.

At MIPS we provide meaningful benefits programs and products to our associates and their families.

More about us:

GlobalFoundries is an equal opportunity employer, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe having a multicultural workplace enhances productivity, efficiency and innovation whilst our employees feel truly respected, valued and heard.

As an affirmative employer, all qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age, ethnicity, marital status, citizenship, race, religion, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation and medical and/or physical abilities.

All offers of employment with GlobalFoundries are conditioned upon the successful completion of background checks, medical screenings as applicable and subject to the respective local laws and regulations.