F

Fend

One-way data isolation hardware for ML

Embedded Firmware Engineer

Full-Time
No salary listed
Mid
Bachelor's
Arlington County, Arlington, VA, USA
RemoteLess than 10% travel is required.
Software EngineeringEmbedded Engineering
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship Required

About the job

Requirements
  • Experience designing embedded firmware, with a work sample subject to review.
  • U.S. citizenship is required.
  • Ability to learn and solve novel problems.
  • Ability to work independently and contribute to a team.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Responsibilities
  • Develop embedded software for the security appliance with the Chief Engineer.
  • Increase the number of applications supported by the hardware.
  • Harden the appliance for long-term operation in industrial environments.
  • Improve the appliance's encryption technology.
  • Write code and test and debug hardware and software in the field.
  • Work with the manufacturer to program the device and perform related development tasks.
  • Design and test embedded software.
  • Test hardware in the field.
  • Set up a JIRA environment and promote agile development.
  • Communicate progress regularly with team members.
  • Coordinate with contractors and suppliers to keep the project on track.
  • Speak regularly with clients to understand their needs and ensure delivery meets them.
  • Mentor employees as the company grows.
  • Participate in product demonstrations for potential clients.
  • Follow information security procedures, including two-factor authentication and Department of Defense National Institute of Standards and Technology 800 cybersecurity standards.
  • Support other tasks as needed.
Desired Qualifications
  • A degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
  • Experience with Amazon Web Services.
  • Professional experience building controls, industrial systems, or utility systems.
  • A portfolio of software projects.

About the company

Fend provides hardware devices that securely transfer data from connected equipment by using full optical isolation, sending data in one direction to block cyberattacks. The devices physically isolate the data channel and route data to cloud-based machine learning for analysis without allowing any reverse data flow. Unlike software-only security, Fend relies on hardware isolation and US-made manufacturing, targeting critical infrastructure like electric utilities, transportation, and HVAC with direct sales and government contracts. Its goal is to prevent cyber threats from reaching operational networks while enabling secure data analytics for decision making in essential systems.

Company Size

1-10

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$2.7M

Headquarters

Arlington, Virginia

Founded

2017

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • January 6, 2026 XE50 launch refreshed the product line for ICS and OT buyers.
  • March 18, 2025 portfolio expansion reached 5 Mbps to 10 Gbps across form factors.
  • OPSWAT’s 2025 partnerships and 2026 growth broaden distribution for Fend’s diode hardware.

What critics are saying

  • Fend lost independence in OPSWAT’s December 2024 acquisition; brand control now sits elsewhere.
  • XE50 tops out at 50 Mbps, leaving Fend boxed out of higher-throughput buyers.
  • OPSWAT can consolidate Fend into MetaDefender and eventually discontinue the standalone line.

What makes Fend unique

  • Fend’s hardware enforces one-way OT data flow with optical isolation, not software controls.
  • OPS WAT acquired Fend on December 18, 2024, embedding it inside MetaDefender.
  • January 6, 2026, XE50 extended Fend into ruggedized, small-form-factor critical infrastructure deployments.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Stock Options

Company News

Healthcare Info Security
Dec 20th, 2024
OPSWAT Expands Critical Infrastructure Defense With Fend Buy

Opswat's acquisition of Fend integrates advanced hardware-based security with Opswat's platform, delivering robust protection against cyberattacks on critical

FinSMEs
Dec 19th, 2024
Opswat Acquires Fend for Cybersecurity Expansion

Opswat, a Tampa-based critical infrastructure protection company, has acquired Fend Incorporated, a data pipeline and cybersecurity firm from Arlington, VA. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This acquisition will enhance Opswat's cybersecurity offerings, particularly in data diodes and unidirectional gateway solutions.

PR Newswire
Dec 18th, 2024
OPSWAT Acquires Leader in Advanced Data Diode Technology to Strengthen Cyber Defenses for Critical Infrastructure

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - OPSWAT, a global leader in critical infrastructure protection established in the U.S., today announced its acquisition of Fend Incorporated.

SiliconANGLE Media
Dec 18th, 2024
OPSWAT acquires Fend for $1.1M funding

OPSWAT Inc. has acquired Fend Inc., a cybersecurity firm specializing in industrial network segmentation, for an undisclosed amount. Fend, founded in 2017, is known for its data diodes that ensure secure, one-way data flow to protect critical infrastructure. The acquisition enhances OPSWAT's product offerings, including support for 5G and Industry 4.0. Fend had raised $1.1 million in venture capital and received grants from the Department of Energy.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Jun 18th, 2024
SEC FORM D

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not necessarily reviewed the information in this filing and has not determined if it is accurate and complete.The reader should not assume that the information is accurate and complete.