COMSEC Engineer

AMERICAN SYSTEMS; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 222,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Paid leave

Retirement plans

Insurance programs

Education & training assistance

Job summary

AMERICAN SYSTEMS in Arlington, VA is seeking a COMSEC Engineer to perform security engineering for classified systems and environments. You will develop cryptographic architectures, coordinate key management, and ensure compliance while collaborating with Government security stakeholders.

The role requires hands-on crypto engineering, documentation discipline, and strong coordination across teams to maintain secure communications protections in fast-paced classified environments.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline with 10 years of directly relevant experience.
• Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree with 14 years of directly related work experience.
• Six years of supervisory COMSEC experience in key architecture and ECU deliverables.
• Specialized experience in cryptographic algorithms and interfacing with systems developers & international partners.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and SAP eligibility requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform COMSEC engineering analyses for cryptographic systems, secure communications, and key-management implementations.
• Develop and review key architecture, interface requirements, engineering documentation, and technical implementation plans.
• Support electronic cryptographic unit deliverables, certification activities, testing coordination, and issue resolution.
• Coordinate COMSEC material, equipment, keying requirements, inventories, and lifecycle accountability with authorized stakeholders.
• Evaluate cryptographic algorithms and implementation approaches for consistency with approved security requirements.
• Interface with system developers, integrators, operators, and Government personnel to resolve technical COMSEC concerns.
• Maintain procedures, records, and technical artifacts supporting compliant COMSEC operations and authorization activities.
• Recommend engineering improvements that reduce technical risk and strengthen secure communications protections.

Skills

COMSEC engineering

Cryptographic algorithms

Key management

System integration

Government/stakeholder coordination

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant discipline

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

EKMS

Job description

Overview

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is an employee-owned federal government contractor supporting national priority programs through our strategic solutions in the areas of Information Technology, Test & Evaluation, Program Mission Support, Engineering & Analysis, and Training.

Responsibilities

AS The COMSEC Engineer you will:

• Perform technical communications security engineering and execution support for classified systems and operational environments.
• Develop and evaluate cryptographic implementation approaches, supports key architecture and electronic cryptographic unit processes, coordinate COMSEC material and key-management activities, and contribute to certification or authorization efforts.
• Work with system teams, operators, and Government security stakeholders to translate secure communications requirements into reliable technical solutions and compliant operating practices. By maintaining disciplined engineering documentation, resolving integration issues, and supporting lifecycle control of cryptographic assets.
• Protect sensitive communications and ensures that COMSEC capabilities remain technically sound, accountable, and aligned with applicable national-level processes.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Perform COMSEC engineering analyses for cryptographic systems, secure communications, and key-management implementations.
• Develop and review key architecture, interface requirements, engineering documentation, and technical implementation plans.
• Support electronic cryptographic unit deliverables, certification activities, testing coordination, and issue resolution.
• Coordinate COMSEC material, equipment, keying requirements, inventories, and lifecycle accountability with authorized stakeholders.
• Evaluate cryptographic algorithms and implementation approaches for consistency with approved security requirements.
• Interface with system developers, integrators, operators, and Government personnel to resolve technical COMSEC concerns.
• Maintain procedures, records, and technical artifacts supporting compliant COMSEC operations and authorization activities.
• Recommend engineering improvements that reduce technical risk and strengthen secure communications protections.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a relevant discipline and 10 years of directly relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline plus 14 years of directly related work experience.
• 6 Years of supervisory experience in developing COMSEC key architecture, and in End Cryptological Unit (ECU) Deliverables, process and certification.
• Six years’ supervisory COMSEC experience, in developing COMSEC key architecture, and in End Cryptological Unit (ECU) deliverables, process and certification.
• Specialized experience in cryptographic algorithms and interfacingwith systems developers and international partners.
• Familiarity with NSA UIC process.
• Familiarity with KMI and EKMS systems.Experience must include support to Special Access Program and Sensitive Compartmented Information environments
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate effectively across Government, contractor, and external stakeholders; prepare briefings, reports, standard operating procedures, and official correspondence; and lead a team in fast paced classified environments.
• ActiveTop Secretclearance with SCI eligibility; must be able to meet any applicable Special Access Program eligibility requirements identified by the Government.

Pay Transparency Statement

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is committed to pay transparency for our applicants and employee-owners. The salary range for this position is USD $133,000.00/Yr. - USD $222,100.00/Yr. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors permitted by law. AMERICAN SYSTEMS provides for the welfare of its employees and their dependents through a comprehensive benefits program by offering healthcare benefits, paid leave, retirement plans, insurance programs, and education and training assistance.

EEO Statement

EEO Race/Sex/Disability Status/Veteran Status