Principal Software Security Engineer

We're looking for a Principal Software Security Engineer for a global semiconductor company delivering advanced software solutions for automotive SoCs with high safety and security to automotive manufacturers and in-vehicle ECU suppliers.

We're hiring an experienced security expert — particularly someone strong in software security — to support our products and combined HW+SW solutions, at a time when security technical trends are becoming increasingly advanced, complex, and system-oriented. As a global team, we need someone who can provide guidance from a global and cross-industry perspective.

About the role

This position requires broad technical depth across SoC software stacks, strong understanding of automotive and embedded cybersecurity use cases, and the ability to translate market and regulatory drivers into clear, actionable cybersecurity requirements applicable to Renesas-developed software products — combined with hardware.

This is a strategic authority and technical advisor role — one that influences product roadmaps, architectural decisions, and cross-organizational alignment, rather than participating directly in implementation.

Responsibilities

• Security Software Strategy & Technology Direction
• SoC Software & Cybersecurity Architecture
• Cybersecurity Requirements Definition
• Cross Functional & External Engagement

Qualifications

Required

• Technical Expertise
  • Deep experience in embedded software security, preferably in MCU / SoC
  • Strong understanding of SoC software architectures, including boot chains, OS integration, middleware, and platform services

Leadership & Influence

• • Proven ability to operate at Principal / Senior Principal level, influencing direction across multiple teams and organizations
  • Comfortable working with ambiguity and long term strategic topics, not limited to immediate deliverables
  • Strong communication skills to explain complex security topics to both technical and non technical stakeholders
  • Experience guiding decisions without formal authority

Preferred

• Experience with automotive cybersecurity and familiarity with ISO/SAE 21434 concepts
• Exposure to security software ecosystems, including commercial and open source solutions
• Background in product security strategy, platform security, or security architecture roles
• Experience working in global, cross regional engineering organizations

Additional Information

• Location: Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
• Work Model: Hybrid (3 days in-office, 2 days remote)
• Open to relocation: This role is open to candidates located anywhere who are open to relocating to Japan