Application Guide

How to Apply for Software Engineer (Consultancy)

at Psst.org Incorporated

🏢 About Psst.org Incorporated

Psst.org Incorporated is at the forefront of secure communications, building the Psst Safe platform to protect whistleblowers and sources. Their collaboration with academic and research institutions underscores a mission-driven approach to privacy and security, making it an ideal place for engineers who want their work to have real societal impact.

About This Role

As a Software Engineer (Consultancy) on a contract basis, you'll design and implement secure systems using cutting-edge TEEs like Intel SGX, TDX, and AWS Enclaves. Your work will directly enhance the security posture of the Psst Safe platform, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential and tamper-proof.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a stand-up to discuss progress on integrating a new TEE feature, followed by coding in Rust to implement a secure enclave for data encryption. After lunch, you might review a research paper on TDX, prototype a solution, and collaborate with the team on threat modeling for the next release.

🎯 Who Psst.org Incorporated Is Looking For

  • Proficient in Rust or C++ with deep systems programming knowledge, including memory management and concurrency.
  • Hands-on experience with at least one TEE (e.g., Intel SGX, AWS Nitro Enclaves) and understanding of their security models.
  • Strong grasp of secure development practices, such as threat modeling, secure coding, and cryptographic principles.
  • A problem-solver who can research and prototype novel solutions in trusted computing environments.

📝 Tips for Applying to Psst.org Incorporated

1

Highlight specific projects where you implemented TEEs (e.g., SGX enclaves) and discuss the security challenges you solved.

2

Tailor your resume to emphasize Rust/C++ systems programming experience, especially if you've worked on low-level memory safety.

3

Mention any experience with confidential computing on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, as the role involves hosting environments.

4

Showcase contributions to open-source security projects or research papers related to TEEs.

5

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your skills to Psst's mission of protecting whistleblowers and sources.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for secure communications and alignment with Psst's mission to protect vulnerable users.", 'Specific examples of TEE implementation (e.g., building an SGX enclave for a secure computation task).', 'Your proficiency in Rust/C++ and how it enables writing secure, performant systems code.', 'Your experience with secure development practices and ability to research and prototype new solutions.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Read about Psst Safe's architecture and how they currently handle secure submissions.
  • Study the latest vulnerabilities in Intel SGX (e.g., Side-channel attacks) and mitigation strategies.
  • Review academic papers or blog posts from Psst's collaborators on trusted execution environments.
  • Check Psst's GitHub or open-source contributions to understand their codebase and coding standards.
Visit Psst.org Incorporated's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Design a secure enclave for storing whistleblower submissions; discuss threat models and attestation.
2 How would you optimize memory and concurrency in a Rust/C++ application running inside an SGX enclave?
3 Compare Intel SGX vs. AWS Nitro Enclaves in terms of security guarantees and performance trade-offs.
4 Walk through your process for prototyping a new TEE-based feature from research to implementation.
5 How do you ensure secure integration of TEE components with the rest of the Psst Safe platform?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't overstate your TEE experience; be honest about your level of familiarity.
  • Avoid generic security buzzwords without concrete examples of implementation.
  • Don't neglect the systems programming aspect; focus on Rust/C++ rather than high-level languages.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Psst.org Incorporated!