Enterprise Crypto Security Engineer

Jobtailor; California (MO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a senior cryptographic systems engineer to lead development and integration of space and ground encryption units. The role emphasizes robust systems engineering, data-driven trade studies, and secure architectures across DoD and IC programs.

The candidate will oversee hardware/firmware encryption, manage test plans, and participate in reviews while mentoring junior engineers and aligning with PKMA and CDS standards.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI Clearance is required.
• Bachelor's degree in a technical field.
• Understanding of systems engineering throughout the lifecycle (concept to sustainment).
• 7+ years’ experience in systems engineering including crypto, cyber, requirements, verification, integration, and testing.
• 7+ years’ experience with crypto, NSA certification processes, and Key Management processes.
• 5+ years’ experience in DoD/intelligence community space and ground systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise in development, integration, and delivery of cryptographic units.
• Lead cryptographic unit trade studies and data-driven recommendations to leadership.
• Oversee design, interface, development, and delivery of encryption units (hardware and firmware).
• Ensure integration with subsystems, ground systems, and secure architectures.
• Support testing activities including dry runs and SVT; develop tests and reports.
• Participate in reviews and address anomalies; ensure verification and validation campaigns.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Cryptography

Verification and Validation

Integration and Testing

Technical Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Masters degree (preferred)

Tools

Jira

Confluence

NSA Key Management Infrastructure

HAIPEs

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Provide technical expertise in the development, integration, and delivery of space and ground cryptographic units
• Lead spacecraft cryptographic unit trade studies and deliver data-driven recommendations to program leadership and customers
• Oversee technical design, interface definition, development, and delivery of encryption units, including hardware and firmware
• Ensure integration with subsystems, ground systems, mission operations, and secure architectures
• Support and oversee testing activities, including dry runs and SVT
• Develop or review test plans, procedures, and reports
• Participate in TRRs, dry runs, SVTs, CDRL review, and address anomalies
• Ensure full requirement traceability and successful verification and validation campaigns
• Support Protected Key Management Architecture (PKMA), including secure key management processes, documentation, and architecture alignment
• Build and maintain relationships with government customers, contractors, subcontractors, and FFRDC partners
• Represent crypto engineering in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and program-level forums
• Lead and mentor junior- to mid-level engineers
• Manage crypto lifecycle management, technical scope, priorities, and dependencies
• Establish and enforce cryptographic standards and best practices across programs and platforms

Requirements

• An active TS/SCI is required for this position
• Bachelors degree
• Understanding of the discipline and practice of Systems Engineering throughout the system lifecycle phases of concept, development, production, operations, and sustainment
• 7+ years’ experience with systems engineering, which may include crypto, cyber security, requirements development, verification, integration, and test
• 7+ years’ experience with crypto, NSA certification processes, and Key Management processes
• 5+ years’ experience with military or DoD or Intelligence Community space and ground
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Possess strong oral and written communication and presentation skills; able to author final-version deliverable technical documents and reports
• Preferred: Bachelors degree in technical field, such as engineering, mathematics, physics, information systems, information technology, or computer science
• Preferred: Masters degree in technical field, such as engineering, mathematics, physics, information systems, information technology, or computer science
• Familiarity with Jira and Confluence
• Experience with NSA’s Key Management Infrastructure (KMI)
• Experience with HAIPEs and cross-domain solutions (CDS)
• Preferred certifications such as CISSP, SANS, CEH, INCOSE CSEP or ESEP, OCSMP (MBSE)

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in cryptographic unit development and integration, with a strong focus on systems engineering, key management processes, and technical leadership. Proven ability to manage complex projects, ensure compliance with cryptographic standards, and effectively communicate with stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• Systems Engineering Experience
• Cryptographic Unit Development
• Key Management Processes
• Technical Leadership

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Systems Engineering
• Cryptography
• Verification and Validation
• Integration and Testing
• Technical Documentation

Soft Skills

• Strong Communication Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Mentoring

Certifications & Qualifications

• CISSP
• SANS
• CEH
• INCOSE CSEP
• ESEP
• OCSMP

Industry Keywords

• DoD
• Intelligence Community
• Space and Ground Systems
• Cryptographic Standards
• Secure Architectures

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office
• Jira
• Confluence
• NSA Key Management Infrastructure
• HAIPEs