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Senior Hardware Engineer – Air-Gapped Crypto Wallet Company: Cold Crypt Location: Remote (initially) → Tampa, Florida (hybrid/in-office after initial phase) Type: Full-time / Contract-to-hire About Cold Crypt Cold Crypt is building a next-generation, defense-grade, air-gapped hardware wallet designed to redefine crypto security. Our mission is to combine: Military-level protection Premium, consumer-grade experience True non-custodial ownership The device will integrate advanced features such as: AI-powered voice interaction Multi-factor authentication (biometrics + PIN + voice) Real-time anomaly detection All while ensuring that private keys never leave a secure, offline environment. About the Role We are seeking a Senior Hardware Engineer to lead the architecture and development of our flagship device. This is a foundational role, working directly with leadership and collaborating closely with software and security teams to bring a highly secure, air-gapped wallet from concept to production. Key Responsibilities Design and develop the complete hardware architecture for a secure, air-gapped crypto wallet Select and integrate: Secure element chips Microcontrollers Biometric sensors Voice input hardware Tamper-resistant components Ensure true air-gapped operation, including offline transaction signing (QR-based or equivalent) Implement advanced physical security protections, including: Side-channel attack mitigation Tamper detection and response Secure key storage architecture Collaborate with software engineers on: AI voice control integration Anomaly detection systems Lead: Component sourcing Schematic design PCB layout Prototyping and testing Support transition from prototype → production, including manufacturing considerations Work toward applicable security certifications (e.g., Common Criteria EAL5+/EAL6+) Required Qualifications Strong experience in embedded systems and secure hardware design Hands-on experience with secure element chips (e.g., ATECC608, OPTIGA Trust, STMicroelectronics secure elements) Proven experience with or deep understanding of: Crypto hardware wallets OR Air-gapped systems / high-security devices Proficiency with: PCB design tools (Altium, KiCad, or similar) Microcontrollers (e.g., STM32 or equivalent) Hardware-based cryptography Solid understanding of: Side-channel attacks Tamper resistance techniques Secure boot and firmware integrity Ability to work remotely initially and collaborate in person in Tampa as needed Preferred / Nice-to-Have Direct experience building or contributing to a crypto hardware wallet Experience with air-gapped transaction systems (QR-based signing, offline flows) Knowledge of biometric systems (fingerprint, facial recognition, voice anti-spoofing) Experience with low-power design and battery management Familiarity with secure manufacturing and supply chain considerations What We Offer Competitive salary + equity Token allocation ($COLD) Opportunity to build a category-defining security product Early-stage, high-impact role with direct influence on architecture and design Remote-first flexibility with future Tampa-based collaboration How to Apply If you’re excited about building one of the most secure hardware wallets on the market, please send: Your resume Relevant project links (GitHub, hardware portfolio, case studies) A short note on why you’re a strong fit
Project ID: 40412198
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17 freelancers are bidding on average $831 USD for this job

As an Electrical Engineer with extensive experience in embedded systems and secure hardware design, I am strongly suited to lead the architecture and development of Cold Crypt's air-gapped crypto wallet. My understanding of crypto hardware wallets and air-gapped systems is deep-rooted, and I'm versed in securing embedded architectures from side-channel attacks and tampering. Additionally, my proficient use of PCB design tools such as Altium, KiCad, and more will be beneficial for selecting and integrating secure element chips, microcontrollers, biometric sensors, voice input hardware, and tamper-resistant components, all essential parts of your wallet's next-gen design. My core expertise includes Microcontrollers & Embedded Systems (such as STM32), Firmware Development (Embedded C/C++), PCB Design (Altium Designer, KiCad), and RF Hardware. I am confident that these skills will enable me to implement the advanced physical security protections your project demands. Furthermore, I have a solid understanding of secure boot and firmware integrity - crucial for ensuring the safety of your device's software. What sets me apart is my ability to work through the entire product development workflow from concept to final product.
$1,500 USD in 30 days
8.3
8.3

As an experienced Senior Hardware Engineer with a focus on developing secure embedded systems, I am confident that I can meet and exceed your expectations for the air-gapped crypto wallet project at Cold Crypt. My expertise in designing and developing PCBs, particularly for high-security devices, aligns perfectly with the requirements of this role. I have a reputation for creating robust, reliable, and efficient electronic solutions for complex hardware projects, similar to your flagship wallet. My deep understanding of secure element chips like ATECC608 and knowledge of hardware-based cryptography combined with extensive experience working on tamper-resistant components ensures I can design the complete hardware architecture of your device. Moreover, through my familiarity with side-channel attacks, tamper resistance techniques, and secure boot methods, I will be able to enhance the security features of the device significantly. My skill set will be invaluable in implementing advanced physical security protections like tamper detection/response, ensuring true air-gapped operations for offline transaction signing
$500 USD in 7 days
6.7
6.7

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Air-Gapped Crypto Wallet Integration ❇️ Hello, Ive carefully reviewed the project needs for the Senior Hardware Engineer role at Cold Crypt and am excited about the opportunity to lead the architecture and development of a next-generation, air-gapped hardware wallet. With my extensive background in embedded systems and secure hardware design, I am confident in my ability to deliver a product that meets your high standards of security and innovation. ➡️ Why Me? I hold a PhD in Electrical Engineering with over 10 years of experience in hardware design, particularly in secure and embedded systems. My previous projects include designing secure element chips for crypto hardware wallets and developing microcontroller-based systems for military applications. I am proficient in using PCB design tools like Altium and KiCad, and have hands-on experience with STM32 microcontrollers and ATECC608 secure element chips, which aligns well with your requirements. ➡️ Lets have a quick chat to discuss your project in more detail. I am eager to share insights from my past projects and explore how they align with your vision for the Cold Crypt wallet. ➡️ Some of my relevant work: ✅ Development of a secure communication device featuring end-to-end encryption and tamper detection mechanisms. ✅ Lead engineer for a biometric authentication device integrating multi-factor security features. ✅ Creation of a low-power, secure IoT device for industrial applications with stringent security requirements. ✅ Consultant on secure manufacturing processes for electronics, ensuring supply chain integrity and security. I am thrilled at the prospect of bringing my expertise in secure hardware design and air-gapped systems to Cold Crypt and contributing to the development of a truly secure crypto wallet. I am prepared to relocate to Tampa as required and to collaborate closely with your team to ensure the success of this project. Waiting for your response! Best Regards, Dr. Muhammad Asad
$562 USD in 7 days
6.2
6.2

Hi, how are you doing? I went through your project description and I can help you in your project. your project requirements perfectly match my expertise. We are a team of Electrical and Electronics engineers, we have successfully completed 1000+ Projects for multiple regular clients from OMAN, UK, USA, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Lebanon and many other countries. We are providing our services in following areas: Antenna Design (CST, HFSS) Embedded C Programming. VHDL/Verilog, Quartus/Vivado, LabVIEW/ Multisim/PSPICE/VLSI MATLAB/SIMULINK Network Simulator NS2/NS3 Microcontroller like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, FPGA, AVR, PIC, STM32 and ESP32. IDEs like Keil MDK V5, ATmel studio and MPLab XC8. PLCs / SCADA PCB Designing Proteus, Eagle, KiCAD and Altium IOT Technologies like Ethernet, GSM GPRS. HTTP Restful APIs connection for IOT Communications. Also, we have good command over report writing, I can show you many samples of our previous reports. Kindly consider us for your project and text me so that we can further discuss specifically about your project's main goals and requirements.
$500 USD in 7 days
6.2
6.2

Hello, I bring strong experience in embedded systems and secure hardware design, with hands-on work in PCB development, microcontroller integration, and cryptographic security architectures. I’ve worked on systems requiring strict isolation, reliable low-power design, and hardware-level protection mechanisms, which aligns closely with your air-gapped wallet vision. My approach would start with a clear architecture definition covering secure element selection, MCU pairing, and offline transaction flow (QR or equivalent). I would then design the full hardware stack including tamper resistance, secure boot strategy, and isolation layers ensuring private keys never leave the trusted boundary. I also place strong focus on manufacturability and supply-chain realism for production scaling. Deliverables would include full schematic + PCB (KiCad/Altium), validated secure component integration, prototype-ready design, and documentation covering threat model assumptions and security decisions. I can collaborate closely with your software/security team to ensure AI voice and anomaly detection layers integrate cleanly with hardware constraints. Questions: 1. Do you already have preferred secure element or MCU families in mind, or should I propose the full hardware stack? 2. What security certification target (if any) should guide design decisions (e.g., EAL5+, EAL6+)? Thanks, Asif
$750 USD in 5 days
5.2
5.2

Best Secure Hardware Design Expert for Air-Gapped Crypto Wallets! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dear Client, The real value in this project is not just building a crypto wallet, but turning it into a physically secure, truly air-gapped hardware platform that can be trusted beyond the prototype stage. I can help shape this into a serious hardware product by: ✅ defining the core architecture around secure element, MCU, biometric layer, offline QR transaction flow, and tamper-aware design ✅ structuring the schematic, PCB, and prototype plan so security, usability, and manufacturability are aligned from the beginning ✅ supporting the transition from architecture to prototype with practical component selection, board-design direction, and validation priorities This keeps the project moving toward a wallet that is genuinely air-gapped, physically secure, and realistic to build. Two quick questions: 1. Is the immediate priority hardware architecture definition first, or direct prototype execution? 2. Do you already have a preferred secure element / MCU direction, or should that be part of the first design phase? If you message me, I can outline the cleanest first-step architecture and milestone flow. Best regards, Prat PCB Must Innovations
$500 USD in 7 days
6.4
6.4

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅Hi there, hope you are doing well! I have led hardware design projects for secure embedded systems, including air-gapped architectures, where integrating secure elements and biometric sensors ensured robust protection with seamless user experience. From my experience, successfully completing this project hinges on meticulous hardware-software collaboration and integrating multi-factor security without compromising offline key isolation. Approach: ⭕ Evaluate and select optimal secure element chips and microcontrollers fitting your security needs. ⭕ Design tamper-resistant hardware including side-channel attack mitigation and secure key storage. ⭕ Integrate biometric sensors and voice hardware for MFA and AI-powered interaction. ⭕ Develop PCB layout drafts using Altium or KiCad, followed by thorough prototyping and testing. ⭕ Collaborate closely with your software teams to ensure seamless AI voice and anomaly detection system integration. ⭕ Plan manufacturing transition with supply chain security and certification compliance in focus. ❓ Could you share more details on the preferred secure element chip options you are considering? I am confident my strong background in secure embedded hardware design and close collaboration with software security teams will ensure a successful delivery of your next-gen air-gapped crypto wallet. Looking forward to the possibility of working together on this pioneering security product. Best regards, Nam
$550 USD in 5 days
0.0
0.0

Dear Client, This project will succeed or fail on one point: whether the hardware architecture is truly air-gapped and tamper-aware without turning the product into a lab device that is difficult to productize. With 11+ years of experience in embedded hardware, secure electronics, PCB design, and product-focused development, I work on systems where reliability, isolation, and practical implementation must all align from the start. ✅ Structure the hardware around secure element, MCU, biometric, voice, and offline transaction flow ✅ Define the control architecture so air-gapped signing and key isolation remain central, not secondary ✅ Build the design path with sourcing, prototyping, and future production realities in mind The key here is not adding every advanced feature early. It is locking the secure hardware foundation before complexity grows around it. Quick question: for the first architecture phase, is the priority true offline signing flow, or selecting the secure element / tamper strategy first? If aligned, share any current system concept or preferred secure-element direction and I will suggest the strongest starting path. Regards, Avi Gupta Quality is never an accident
$500 USD in 7 days
0.0
0.0

That balance between defense-grade security and usability is the hardest part of this product—and exactly the kind of challenge I enjoy working on. I’m a Senior Hardware/Firmware Engineer with deep experience in embedded systems, secure hardware design, and production-ready PCB development. I’ve worked with secure elements (ATECC/Trust-class), STM32-class MCUs, hardware cryptography, and air-gapped architectures, along with power-constrained and battery-driven devices. On the hardware side, I’ve led full system design—from component selection and schematic capture to PCB layout, prototyping, and manufacturing readiness. I pay close attention to attack surfaces, including side-channel leakage, tamper detection, and secure key storage isolation. I’m also comfortable working across boundaries with firmware and security teams, especially on topics like secure boot, offline signing flows (QR-based), and system integrity validation. Integrating biometrics and voice input into a secure, air-gapped system is a complex but solvable problem with the right partitioning and trust model. What excites me about Cold Crypt is the opportunity to build something that is not just another wallet, but a category-defining security device with real-world impact. Happy to share relevant project examples and discuss how I would approach the architecture from day one.
$2,500 USD in 30 days
0.0
0.0

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