Cryptanalyst / Crypto-Scientist (Various levels)

Cse Cst; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A Canadian government agency is hiring Cryptanalysts or Crypto-Scientists in Ottawa. Ideal candidates will have strong analytical and coding skills, particularly in Python or C++. This role involves supporting intelligence and cyber defense missions. Applicants should have a related university degree or an acceptable combination of education and experience. The position requires an Enhanced Top Secret security clearance and offers a dynamic, innovative work environment.

Benefits

Health, dental and pension plans

Vacation allowances

Qualifications

• University degree or acceptable combination of education and experience.
• Experience coding using Python or C++.
• Experience in researching and analyzing complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain decryption capabilities.
• Conduct cryptologic research and design cryptographic algorithms.

Skills

Math skills

Coding (Python or C++)

Critical thinking

Problem-solving

Education

University degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, or Engineering

Tools

Sage

Maple

Mathematica

Wireshark

Job description

Closing Date:

2026-01-30

Classification:

UNMA-07 - UNMA-08

Reference number: RF-14661

About CSE

The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is Canada’s agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence, cyber operations and cyber security. Learn more about our mission .

Join our team as a Cryptanalyst or Crypto-Scientist and work in a dynamic and innovative operational environment. At CSE, you’ll apply your analytical and problem-solving skills to a variety of problems in support of the Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Cyber missions. You’ll learn and apply advanced cryptanalytic and cryptographic techniques to defeat encryption or to design and evaluate cryptographic algorithms and protocols. You’ll also help develop innovative tools, new techniques, and recommendations for a wide variety of clients.

Cryptanalysts and Crypto-Scientists at CSE perform one or more of the following functions:

• Contribute to operations by developing and maintaining decryption capabilities and using them to support Government of Canada Intelligence and Cyber Defense requirements.
• Conduct cryptologic research and design, and develop, assess, and attack cryptographic algorithms and protocols.

We’re looking for passionate people from a variety of backgrounds who:

• have a blend of math and coding skills;
• have knowledge of and an interest in learning more about cryptography and cryptographic protocols;
• can breakdown technical documents (standards, protocol specifications or mathematical papers ) into understandable pieces;
• are creative critical thinkers who love solving problems;
• are committed, resilient and tenacious in the face of adversity;
• want to be part of a great team that delivers results for the Government of Canada and Canadians.

To find out more about our salary scale, vacation allowances and benefits (health, dental and pension plans, etc.) visit the Compensation page on our website.

An Enhanced Top Secret (ETS) security clearance is a condition of employment that must be met before an offer can be made.

In order to be considered, your cover letter must clearly explain how you meet the following education and experience requirements.

Education

You must have either one of the following:

• A university degree in a field related to the position, such as (but not limited to): Mathematics, Statistics, or Computer Science, Physics, Engineering with mathematics courses.
• An acceptable combination of education (i.e. college diploma, professional certification) in a field related to the position (as above), and relevant experience.

Note: The educational program must be recognized in Canada, and you must be able to provide proof of education credentials. Students graduating within the next twelve months are eligible to apply.

Experience

• Experience coding using a language such as Python or C++.
• Experience in researching and analyzing diverse information to solve on complex issues* .
• Experience presenting findings and recommendations to various stakeholders (e.g. peers, supervisors) verbally and in writing.
• Experience designing, programming or testing algorithms in a variety of domains such as algebra, discrete math, computational number theory, probability and statistics, combinatorics, or cryptography.

Note: * Examples of “complex issues” may include but are not limited to: a long-term project spanning multiple months, a thesis, a multidimension project with multiple partners or stakeholders, a project that sets a precedent or has a major impact on a business process.

The following technical, behavioural and leadership competencies will be assessed at a later date. You do not need to include information about them in your application.

• Knowledge and Application of a Field of Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics or Engineering
• Cryptography and Cryptanalysis
• Application Development
• Problem Formulation and Response
• Cognitive thinking skills
• Interactive communication
• Accountability/autonomy (for UNMA-08 positions only)
• Change and innovation
• Achieving results (for UNMA-08 positions only)

Assets

Assets are “nice-to-have” expertise and skills we’re interested in. You will not be eliminated if you do not meet or possess these qualifications. However, if you do have them, they may be used to identify which team you could best complement.

Please demonstrate on your application if you meet or possess the asset experience listed below.

• A graduate degree in a field related to the position, such as but not limited to Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering with mathematics.

Note:The educational program must be recognized in Canada and you must be able to provide proof of education credentials. Students graduating within the next twelve months are eligible to apply.

• Experience with mathematical programming, including use of C, C++ or Python or software packages such as Sage, Maple, Mathematica;
• Experience with network protocols, and protocol analysis tools such as Wireshark;
• Experience in Cyber Security principles and practices;
• Experience in Software Reverse Engineering;
• Experience in post quantum cryptography and or quantum information theory;

Operational requirements

Overtime and standby duty may be required.

How to apply

You may submit your candidacy online by selecting “Apply” at the top or bottom of this page.

If you cannot apply online or have a disability preventing you from applying online, please inform us by email at [e-mail] prior to the closing date of this hiring process.

We ask you to not discuss your application with others (including on social media) besides your partner, or close family members - who should also be reminded about the need to be discreet.

Assessments of candidates are conducted in the official language of their choice.

To address CSE’s current representation gaps, priority may be given to persons who self-declare as belonging to one, or more, designated employment equity groups: women; Indigenous peoples, including First Nations who are status, or registered and non-status, or non-registered, Inuit and Métis; persons with disabilities, including people with a mental health condition and neurodivergent people; and persons from racial or ethnic groups.

Please note the Employment Equity Act , which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

CSE offers an assessment process that will accommodate any reasonable measures you require to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Those measures are available to all candidates during our processes. Information you provide will be addressed confidentially.

The level of competence demonstrated in the various assessments will be used to determine your qualifications for the UNI/UNMA-07 or UNMA-08 level.

All communications with CSE relating to this process, including email messages and telephone conversations, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

The intent of this process is to fill vacant positions at CSE. The process may also be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates which could be used to staff similar or identical positions with various tenures.

Due to the nature of CSE’s mandate certain roles may expose employees to content that is difficult to process. Mental health is a priority at CSE and if any personnel feel they require assistance to preserve their mental wellbeing, they have access to services, tools and other resources to help them in both their personal and professional lives.

We thank you for your interest in CSE. However, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.