Cryptographic Systems Engineer

MANTECH; Linthicum (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MANTECH seeks a motivated Cryptographic Systems Engineer to join our team in Linthicum Heights, MD. The role protects secure systems by providing expert engineering support for Cryptographic Solutions and MPO's network security products.

Responsibilities include directing development and testing of hardware/software with embedded cryptography, planning SEMPs/SITPs, RMF/A&A support, and scripting to automate tests and gather logs. Active TS/SCI with Polygraph is needed for clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline with 14+ years of systems engineering experience, or 19 years without a degree.
• Experience with cryptographic systems, COMSEC integration, and secure network architectures.
• Familiarity with DoD RMF/A&A processes and related documentation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction for development, engineering, interfacing, integration, and testing of complex hardware and software systems with embedded cryptographic capabilities.
• Support planning and assessment of SEMPs and SITPs for system development.
• Assist RMF/A&A planning, execution, and test analysis for DoD programs.
• Develop lightweight utility scripts to run automated test harnesses and collect logs.
• Derive and manage lower-level requirements from higher-level allocations to ensure secure production systems.
• Contribute to SEPs, ICDs, and interface control documents across red/black and secure enclaves.
• Coordinate action item resolution for CCBs and reviews requiring cross-discipline coordination.
• Establish baseline definitions for systems and components to align hardware, software, and COMSEC/cyber teams.

Skills

Network security protocols

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline

Tools

Bash

Job description

MANTECH seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented Cryptographic Systems Engineer to join our team in Linthicum Heights, MD.

This role protects secure systems by providing expert engineering support for the Cryptographic Solutions Program and MPO's network security products.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Provide technical direction for the development, engineering, interfacing, integration, and testing of complex hardware and software systems with embedded cryptographic capabilities.
• Support system development and implementation planning through the preparation and assessment of Systems Engineering Management Plans (SEMPs) and System Integration and Test Plans (SITPs).
• Support the planning, execution, and test analysis for Department of Defense (DoD) Risk Management Framework (RMF) and Assessment and Authorization (A&A) processes.
• Develop and maintain lightweight utility scripts (e.g., Python, Bash) to run automated test harnesses, collect logs, and support hardware-level integration with cryptographic devices.
• Derive and manage lower-level requirements from higher-level allocated requirements to ensure delivery of compatible, secure production systems.
• Contribute to systems engineering documentation, including Systems Engineering Plans (SEPs), Initial Capabilities Documents (ICDs), and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) across red/black and secure enclave boundaries.
• Coordinate action item resolution for Configuration Control Boards (CCBs), design reviews, program reviews, and test reviews requiring cross-discipline coordination.
• Establish baseline definitions for systems and components under development to align hardware, software, and COMSEC/cyber engineering teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline plus 14 years of relevant systems engineering experience (or related cyber or software engineering fields). In lieu of a degree, a total of 19 years of relevant experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Network Security Protocols, particularly EAP-TLS, MACsec, and IPsec.
• Familiarity with cryptographic systems, COMSEC integration, Key Management Infrastructure (KMI), and secure network architectures.
• Working knowledge of basic scripting (preferably Python) for test harness automation, data/log parsing, and functional checks on cryptographic devices (full-lifecycle software engineering experience is not required).

Clearance Requirements

• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Frequently communicates with co-workers, management, and customers, which may involve delivering presentations. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.