Enterprise Crypto Security Engineer

KBR, Inc; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 149,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR, Inc. seeks a Cryptography Subject Matter Expert to support the Space and Ground cryptographic units in El Segundo, CA or Colorado Springs, CO. You will lead trade studies, oversee crypto unit design and testing, and ensure secure architectures across programs.

The role requires active TS/SCI clearance, 7+ years in crypto and systems engineering, and strong communication skills. On-site work with travel about monthly, supporting national security missions.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance is required.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, CS, or related field.
• 7+ years in systems engineering, including crypto, cyber, requirements development, verification, integration, and test.
• 7+ years' experience with crypto, NSA certification processes, and Key Management processes.
• 5+ years’ experience with military, DoD, or Intelligence Community space and ground systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise in development, integration, and delivery of space and ground cryptographic units.
• Lead spacecraft cryptographic unit trade studies and present data-driven recommendations to leadership.
• Oversee the design, interface definition, development, and delivery of encryption units, ensuring subsystem compatibility and standards alignment.
• Manage crypto lifecycle activities and integration with ground systems and mission operations.
• Support PKMA including secure key management processes and architecture alignment.
• Mentor engineers and coordinate with government customers, contractors, and partners.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Crypto

Technical communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Microsoft Office

Job description

Enterprise Crypto Security Engineer***Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!***KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security.KBR is seeking a motivated and experienced Cryptography Subject Matter Expert to join our team in El Segundo, CA or Colorado Springs, CO.The MSEIT effort provides leading-edge Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) for the United States Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC). We acquire state-of-the-art Military and Commercial Satellite Communications (SATCOM) systems, providing global, secure, survivable, and protected communications for our nation’s warfighters. We seek technical individuals who will thrive in a highly collaborative work environment of small teams, using the most modern tools and methodologies to tackle the challenges of integrating complex space and ground communications systems.**Why Join Us?*** **Innovative Projects:** KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.* **Collaborative Environment:** Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.* **Impactful Work:** Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.**Key Responsibilities:*** Provide technical expertise in the development, integration, and delivery of both space and ground cryptographic units, ensuring all solutions align with mission objectives and system requirements.* Lead spacecraft cryptographic unit trade studies, evaluating candidate solutions against requirements, interface constraints, environmental considerations, performance criteria, and testability. Deliver clear, data‐driven recommendations to program leadership and customers.* Oversee the technical design, interface definition, development, and delivery of needed encryption units, including hardware and firmware. Ensure compatibility with subsystems and compliance with mission, cybersecurity, and interface standards.* Manage technical design, interface definition, development, and delivery of needed encryption units, ensuring proper integration with ground systems, mission operations, and secure architectures.* Support and oversee all testing activities for encryption units including dry runs and SVT. Ensure successful completion of verification and validation campaigns by developing or reviewing test plans, procedures, and reports. Participate in TRRs, dry run, SVTs, participate in CDRL review, address anomalies, and ensure full requirement traceability.* Provide supplemental support for Protected Key Management Architecture (PKMA) including secure key management processes, documentation, and architecture alignment.* Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with government customers, contractors, subcontractors, and FFRDC partners. Represent the crypto engineering function in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and program‐level forums.* Lead and mentor engineers (junior to mid‐level), including task assignment, technical reviews, and professional development.* Oversee crypto lifecycle management. Manage technical scope, priorities, and dependencies for cryptographic tasks within program schedules and constraints.* Establish and enforce cryptographic standards and best practices across programs and platforms.**Work Environment:*** **Location:** On-site* **Travel Requirements:** About once monthly* **Working Hours:** Standard**Qualifications:****Required:*** **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 Skills:*** Bachelors degree in technical field, such as engineering, mathematics, physics, information systems, information technology, or computer science* 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)* Certifications, such as CISSP, SANS, CEH, INCOSE CSEP or ESEP, OCSMP (MBSE)**Basic Compensation:** $149,400-$186,700 in El Segundo, CA and $136,400-$170,500 in Colorado Springs, COThe offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.**Ready to Make a Difference?** If you’re excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team.