Crypto Subject Matter Expert, SME

Jobtailor; California (MO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a Senior Cryptographic Systems Engineer to decompose system requirements into cryptographic components and align PKI, identity services, and Zero Trust principles with architecture objectives.

You will support Agile teams and act as the technical authority on cryptographic design, ensuring secure certificate workflows and device endorsement across the program.

Qualifications

• Formal education in cybersecurity and systems engineering with cryptographic focus.
• Experience with PKI concepts, certificate lifecycle management and key management.
• Proven ability to integrate cryptographic requirements into MBSE models and system design.

Responsibilities

• Decompose cryptographic requirements to support system functionality and security objectives.
• Provide inputs to architecture teams and validate MBSE models for crypto services.
• Support backlog creation for cryptographic functions, PKI, and identity features.
• Guide Agile teams in implementing cryptographic protocols and Zero Trust principles.
• Act as technical authority on cryptographic design in line with PKI strategy.

Skills

Cryptographic Protocols

Certificate Lifecycle Management

Key Management Processes

Authentication Technologies

Authorization Technologies

MBSE Models

System Architecture Review

Cryptographic Automation

Device Endorsement

Signing Workflows

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cloud Computing, or related field

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cloud Computing, or related field

Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cloud Computing, or related field

Job description

Responsibilities

• Decompose system and element level requirements into component cryptographic requirements that support overall system functionality and security objectives.
• Provide inputs to architecture teams and review system behavior captured within MBSE models to ensure accurate representation of cryptographic and identity services.
• Support the Product Manager in creating and refining the software backlog related to cryptographic functions, PKI capabilities, and identity management features.
• Guide Agile development teams during implementation and testing to ensure correct application of cryptographic protocols, certificate workflows, and Zero Trust principles.
• Serve as the program's technical authority on cryptographic design decisions, ensuring alignment with PKI strategy, system architecture, and mission security needs.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree and 14+ years of experience in a Systems Engineering related field OR bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cloud Computing, or related field and 12+ years of experience in a Systems Engineering related field OR a master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cloud Computing, or related field and 10+ years of experience in a systems engineering related field OR a Ph.D. and 7+ years of experience.
• Additional four (4) years of relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum Secret clearance with ability to upgrade to TS/SCI.
• Experience performing cybersecurity, cryptographic engineering, or information systems security engineering activities in a software or system engineering environment.
• Expert‑level understanding of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) architecture and operations, including certificate lifecycle management and key management processes.
• Deep expertise in cryptographic protocols and technologies such as device endorsement, auditing, signing workflows, or certificate issuance.
• Experience implementing authentication and authorization technologies such as OAuth 2.0, JWT, RBAC, or ABAC.
• Proficiency in Python development with experience creating cryptographic automation such as key generation, certificate workflows, or PKI integrations.
• Knowledge of Zero Trust architectures and identity‑centric security models.
• Experience reviewing or contributing to system architectures, interface definitions, or MBSE models, with the ability to align cryptographic requirements to system design.
• Experience supporting Agile development workflows, including backlog refinement, requirement clarification, or verification of implemented security features.

Skills

• Cryptographic Protocols
• Certificate Lifecycle Management
• Key Management Processes
• Authentication Technologies
• Authorization Technologies
• MBSE Models
• System Architecture Review
• Cryptographic Automation
• Device Endorsement
• Signing Workflows

Certifications & Qualifications

• Secret Clearance
• TS/SCI Clearance