Cryptographic Research Engineer: Hardware & Embedded

CNSS • National Security Systems; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

CNSS • National Security Systems, part of the NSA Cryptography for Cybersecurity organization, seeks an Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher to translate mission needs into cryptographic solutions. You will design, prototype, and evaluate symmetric and public‑key algorithms for secure, SWaP‑constrained environments and field post‑quantum cryptography across critical National Security Systems.

You will work with mathematicians, engineers, and customers, delivering deployable cryptographic

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering/physical sciences with relevant coursework or experience.
• Experience in cryptographic engineering, both public-key and symmetric algorithms.
• Knowledge of post‑quantum cryptography and hardware/software integration.

Responsibilities

• Engage with customers to elicit requirements and constraints for cryptographic design.
• Collaborate with researchers to refine symmetric and public‑key algorithms for constrained environments.
• Design, implement, and test crypto algorithms in hardware (FPGA/ASIC) and embedded software.
• Develop reference implementations, test vectors, and validation harnesses.
• Model and present performance trade‑offs (throughput, latency, power, area).
• Integrate cryptographic components into protocols and embedded systems.
• Support evaluation and transition of post‑quantum cryptography for national security systems.
• Stay current with cryptographic research and apply state‑of‑the‑art techniques.

Skills

Hardware design

C & systems programming

Embedded systems

Applied cryptography

Performance analysis

Networking concepts

Education

Engineering degree (ABET-accredited or with specified coursework)

Physics or Astronomy degree

Other relevant technical field

Job description

CNSS • National Security Systems, part of the NSA Cryptography for Cybersecurity organization, seeks an Engineering and Physical Sciences Researcher to translate mission needs into cryptographic solutions. You will design, prototype, and evaluate symmetric and public‑key algorithms for secure, SWaP‑constrained environments and field post‑quantum cryptography across critical National Security Systems.

You will work with mathematicians, engineers, and customers, delivering deployable cryptographic