Post-Quantum Cryptography Specialist

Ironbow; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Iron Bow Technologies is seeking a Post-Quantum Cryptography Specialist to lead the migration from quantum-vulnerable cryptography to NIST-standardized PQC. You will serve as the SME for PQC across HSMs, CAs, KMS platforms, and PKI interfaces, guiding readiness assessments and upgrade roadmaps.

The role emphasizes expertise with FIPS 203/ML-KEM, FIPS 204/ML-DSA, and FIPS 205/SLH-DSA, with remote work flexibility and limited travel to customer facilities.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of applied cryptography.
• FIPS 203 / ML-KEM, FIPS 204 / ML-DSA, and FIPS 205 / SLH-DSA experience.
• PQC algorithm implementation, testing, integration, or transition planning.
• Familiarity with NIST IR 8547 and CNSA 2.0.
• Understanding of NIST CMVP and CAVP processes.
• Understanding of HSM and PKI for PQC.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical SME for NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptography.
• Lead PQC Readiness Assessments across cryptographic infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain the PQC Upgrade Roadmap.
• Plan and validate PQC firmware upgrades and rollback procedures.
• Test PQC and hybrid implementations under production workloads.
• Monitor cryptographic standards updates.

Skills

Advanced cryptography

PQC algorithms

HSM PKI knowledge

CMVP/CAVP familiarity

NIST standards

Migration planning

Education

Cybersecurity degree

Tools

HSM platforms

Job description

Iron Bow Technologies is for people who believe trust is paramount , transformation is embraced , and the future is here , because \"What we do matters !\"

We are a next generation solutions provider, delivering mission success across government, healthcare, and commercial industries. Iron Bow relies on our passionate people , long standing partnerships , and strategic thinking to solve your most critical challenges.

Whether we team with clients, colleagues, or partners, we put each other first. It’s The Iron Bow Way.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Post-Quantum Cryptography Specialist will serve as the program's subject-matter expert for the VA's migration from quantum-vulnerable cryptography to NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptographic algorithms. The Specialist will provide applied cryptographic expertise for PQC assessment, planning, testing, implementation, validation, and transition.

The candidate shall have expertise with FIPS 203, FIPS 204, and FIPS 205, preferably including experience implementing, testing, or planning transitions to PQC algorithms. Primarily remote. Limited travel to customer facility.

HOW YOU'LL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Serve as technical SME for NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptography.
• Lead/support the PQC Readiness Assessment across HSMs, partitions, CAs, KMS platforms, middleware, cryptographic interfaces, and dependent applications.
• Assess support for ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA.
• Develop and maintain the PQC Upgrade Roadmap.
• Plan and validate HSM PQC firmware upgrades and associated rollback procedures.
• Test PQC and hybrid cryptographic implementations under representative production workloads.
• Evaluate cryptographic module and algorithm validation status under NIST CMVP and CAVP.
• Develop migration strategies consistent with NIST IR 8547 and CNSA 2.0.
• Support creation and maintenance of the Crypto Agility Plan.
• Develop and maintain the Cryptographic Bill of Materials (CBOM).
• Assess harvest-now-decrypt-later risks and assist in prioritizing migration of sensitive systems.
• Support parallel classical/PQC operation and phased deprecation of quantum-vulnerable algorithms.
• Support PQC/hybrid Certificate Authority testing and migration.
• Monitor changes to NIST, NSA/CNSA, IETF, CMVP, CAVP, and other relevant cryptographic standards.

SKILLS THAT DRIVE SUCCESS

• Advanced knowledge of applied cryptography.
• Direct, substantive experience withFIPS 203 / ML-KEM, FIPS 204 / ML-DSA, and FIPS 205 / SLH-DSA.
• PQC algorithm implementation, testing, integration, or transition-planning experience.
• Familiarity with NIST IR 8547 transition guidance.
• Familiarity with CNSA 2.0 requirements.
• Understanding of NIST CMVP and CAVP processes and ability to interpret module and algorithm validation status.
• Understanding of HSM and PKI implementation considerations associated with PQC.

WHAT SETS YOU APART

• Cryptographic engineering, computer science, mathematics, or cybersecurity background.
• Experience with HSM-based PQC implementations.
• Experience with hybrid classical/PQC PKI or certificate architectures.
• Experience developing CBOMs or cryptographic discovery/inventory capabilities.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT!

• You will be part of a company that is growing quickly and values your voice, ideas, and experience
• You will be a key contributor to Iron Bow’s transformational shift in how we deliver value to both customers and employees.
• You will have the pleasure of working with passionate professionals in a culture that fosters a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to succeed.

OUR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITMENT

Iron Bow Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Iron Bow are based on relevant business considerations, such as operational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic prohibited by law.Iron Bow will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Join the Iron Bow team to learn, grow and develop yourself, our customers and, ultimately, our business.