Cryptographic Systems Engineer

Core4ce; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision

Training and certifications

Tuition assistance

Parental leave and generous PTO

Job summary

Core4ce is seeking a technically focused Cryptographic Systems Engineer to support DoD CIO efforts related to cryptographic modernization, post‑quantum cryptography, and secure systems integration.

This role, based in Washington, DC, expects ~10 years of relevant experience across cryptographic tech, networking, and security architecture, with hands‑on work on PKI, TLS, key management, and emerging post‑quantum requirements.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance and SCI eligibility are required.
• Minimum 10 years of engineering experience in cryptographic, network, or security roles.
• Experience with cryptographic technologies, encryption systems, and secure communications.

Responsibilities

• Support integration of cryptographic technologies across enterprise and mission systems.
• Analyze existing cryptographic implementations and migration needs for modernization.
• Assist with encryption deployments across network, system, cloud, and applications.
• Inventory cryptographic assets and dependencies, including algorithms and certificates.
• Support post‑quantum migration activities per NIST guidance.
• Evaluate cryptographic products for interoperability, security, and scalability.
• Develop technical documentation and briefing materials for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with network and systems teams to integrate cryptographic capabilities.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

Security architecture

Technical communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems/ Electrical/ Computer Science

Tools

PKI

TLS

IPsec

MACsec

Key management

Job description

Core4ce

Cryptographic Systems Engineer

1442-383

We are seeking a technically focused Cryptographic Systems Engineer to support Department of War CIO efforts related to cryptographic modernization, post-quantum cryptography, and secure systems integration.

This position is intended for an experienced engineer with approximately 10 years of relevant technical experience who can work across cryptographic systems, network engineering, systems engineering, and security architecture. The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience integrating or supporting cryptographic capabilities within enterprise or mission environments and be comfortable working with networking, encryption technologies, key management, and emerging post‑quantum cryptography requirements.

The role will support engineering analysis, technical integration, migration planning, solution assessment, and implementation activities associated with enterprise cryptographic modernization.

Responsibilities

• Support engineering and integration of cryptographic technologies across enterprise and mission systems.
• Analyze existing cryptographic implementations, dependencies, protocols, and infrastructure to support modernization and migration activities.
• Support implementation and integration of encryption technologies across network, system, cloud, and application environments.
• Assist with cryptographic inventory and discovery efforts, including identification of algorithms, protocols, certificates, key dependencies, and affected systems.
• Support post-quantum cryptography migration activities and implementation of emerging NIST and Department guidance.
• Evaluate cryptographic products, architectures, and technical solutions for interoperability, security, scalability, and operational suitability.
• Support testing, validation, troubleshooting, and technical assessment of cryptographic implementations.
• Work with network and systems engineering teams to integrate cryptographic capabilities into existing architectures.
• Develop technical documentation, engineering recommendations, implementation guidance, and briefing materials for technical and senior stakeholders.

This position is designed to be flexible, with responsibilities evolving to meet business needs and enable individual growth.

Requirements

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant engineering experience supporting systems, networks, cybersecurity cryptography, or related technical environments.
• Demonstrated experience with cryptographic technologies, encryption systems, or secure communications.
• Experience integrating security or cryptographic capabilities into operational systems or network environments.
• Strong understanding of network and security architecture concepts, including protocols, routing, segmentation, secure communications, and system dependencies.
• Familiarity with technologies such as PKI, TLS, IPsec, MACsec, VPN technologies, certificates, key management, or hardware/software encryption solutions.
• Working knowledge of classical cryptography and emerging post-quantum cryptography
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work with engineering, cybersecurity, program, and Government stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting DoD, Federal Government, intelligence, or other high-assurance environments.
• Hands-on network engineering experience.
• Experience with cryptographic modernization, crypto-agility, or migration of legacy cryptographic technologies.
• Experience with cryptographic inventory, discovery, or dependency mapping.
• Experience with cloud, enterprise networking, embedded systems, or high-assurance communications environments.
• Familiarity with FIPS-validated cryptographic products or modules.
• Relevant technical certifications such as CISSP, CCNP/CCIE, Security+, or equivalent engineering/security credentials.

Why Work for Us?

Core4ce is a team of innovators, self-starters, and critical thinkers—driven by a shared mission to strengthen national security and advance warfighting outcomes.

We offer:

• 401(k) with 100% company match on the first 6% deferred, with immediate vesting
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage—employee portion paid 100% by Core4ce
• Unlimited access to training and certifications, with no pre-set cap on eligible professional development
• Tuition assistance for job-related degrees and courses
• Paid parental leave, PTO that grows with tenure, and generous holiday schedules
• Got a big idea? At Core4ce, The Forge gives every employee the chance to propose bold innovations and help bring them to life with internal backing.

Join us to build a career that matters—supported by a company that invests in you.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability, veteran status, age, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

Core4ce provides the listed pay range for this position as a general guideline only and not as a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final offers may take into account a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, market data alignment, any applicable collective bargaining agreement, and other legal requirements.

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Full-Time/Regular

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

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