COMSEC Operations

SAIC; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking a COMSEC Engineer to secure global diplomatic communications, integrating HAIPE and CSfC components into a worldwide network.

The role emphasizes hands-on engineering in mission environments, key management, and on-call support across time zones, with opportunities for growth toward senior COMSEC leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline; 5+ years COMSEC or network security experience.
• 3+ years hands-on COMSEC/cryptographic work; handling keying material and accountability.
• Experience with HAIPE-compliant equipment, secure terminals, and fill devices.
• Strong IP networking knowledge: routing, VPNs, firewalls, and packet captures.

Responsibilities

• Integrate HAIPE-compliant encryptors and CSfC components into a global network.
• Build test plans; run interoperability and regression tests with evidence for go/no-go.
• Provide Tier II/III COMSEC support; on-call rotation across time zones.
• Operate KMI/client nodes and Advanced Key Processors; manage key ordering and destruction.
• Deploy Over-the-Network Keying; manage rekeying and site cutovers.
• Engineer cryptographic modernization toward CNSA 2.0 and post-quantum readiness.
• Document deployments and train custodians and junior engineers.

Skills

COMSEC experience

Network security

HAIPE INEs

Packet capture analysis

On-call readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline

Tools

HAIPE INEs

Fill devices

CSfC

Job description

SAIC is hiring a COMSEC Engineer to support secure communications for U.S. diplomatic posts worldwide. You will engineer and integrate cryptographic systems, support the sustainment of a secure global network, prove new and emerging cryptographic solutions and enhancements to existing solutions can reach production ecosystems safely and without disruption to mission, and provide Tier II and Tier III engineering support as needed. A significant part of the role is key management: operating Key Management Infrastructure and deploying Over-the-Network Keying, which replaces courier-delivered key with secure network delivery to posts around the world.

This is a hands‑on engineering position in a mission environment where the work is visible. When a post loses secure connectivity, you are who they reach.

What You Will Do

• Integrate HAIPE‑compliant inline network encryptors, secure voice systems, and CSfC solution components into a global enterprise network.
• Build test plans and run interoperability, regression, and failure‑mode testing, then make the go or no‑go call with evidence behind it.
• Provide Tier II and Tier III support for COMSEC incidents escalated from the service desk - device faults, keying failures, loss of secure connectivity - including an on‑call rotation covering all time zones.
• Operate KMI client nodes and Advanced Key Processors, and execute key ordering, distribution, accounting, and destruction under Two‑Person Integrity.
• Deploy Over‑the‑Network Keying: key wrapping and release infrastructure, site readiness, cutover from courier distribution, and scheduled, emergency, and on‑demand rekey.
• Engineer cryptographic modernization into the installed base, including HAIPE upgrades and the move toward CNSA 2.0 and post‑quantum‑ready algorithms.
• Document what you build and train the custodians and junior operations engineers who will run it.

Why This Role

Cryptographic modernization at the Department is live work, not a roadmap item - post‑quantum migration, network‑delivered key, and a next‑generation accountability platform are all in motion. You will be qualified across engineering, test, key management, and operations rather than siloed in one, with a defined path toward Senior COMSEC Engineer and engineering leadership.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in technical discipline and 5+ years of COMSEC or network security related experience; 4+ additional years of relevant experience may substitute for the degree.
• 3+ years of hands‑on COMSEC or cryptographic related work - cryptographic equipment, keying material handling, and accountability within a COMSEC account.
• Working knowledge of HAIPE‑compliant INEs, secure terminals, and fill devices.
• A real IP networking foundation - routing, VPN and tunneling, firewalls, and the ability to read a packet capture and reason from it.
• Willingness to take on‑call rotation, support maintenance windows, and travel occasionally in support of post deployments.

Required Clearance:

U.S. citizenship

Active TOP SECRET clearance with SCI eligibility, and the ability to obtain cryptographic access authorization.

Nice to Have

• NSA or Service COMSEC training, or prior service as a COMSEC Custodian or Alternate.
• Hands‑on experience deploying over‑the‑network or electronic key distribution.
• CSfC engineering experience, including the dual‑layer encryption model.
• Department of State or other Federal overseas post experience.
• CISSP, CASP+, or vendor engineering certification on a deployed INE or network platform.
• ServiceNow ITSM and CMDB.