PQC Architect

The Washington Institute for STEM, Entrepreneurship and Research; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

WISER is seeking a PQC Architect to lead enterprise post-quantum cryptography assessments and develop migration strategies for quantum‑safe security. You will map cryptographic dependencies across networks, PKI, identity, and applications, translating PQC standards into actionable architectures.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in security architecture and strong technical documentation skills, with experience in TLS, VPN, and hybrid-cloud environments. U.S. work authorization is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in network engineering, network security, or security architecture.
• Deep knowledge of enterprise networking and security architecture.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise PQC assessments, translate PQC standards into architectures and migration roadmaps.
• Assess cryptographic dependencies across TLS, PKI, identity, signing, and third‑party connectivity.
• Develop crypto‑agility, PQC migration strategies, and target‑state designs for hybrid deployments.
• Lead technical workshops with client security and infrastructure teams; produce architecture patterns.

Skills

Network security

Security architecture

Technical documentation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree

Tools

TLS

VPN

CDN/WAF

API gateways

Job description

WISER is seeking a PQC Architect to support enterprise post-quantum cryptography assessments and develop practical strategies for transitioning organizations toward quantum-safe security. This role will lead technical assessments of cryptographic dependencies across network infrastructure, PKI, identity, signing, applications, and third-party connectivity, and translate PQC standards into actionable architectures and migration strategies.

Why Join WISER?

Join a growing organization advancing quantum technology through research, workforce development, and industry partnerships. You'll work at the intersection of quantum computing and cybersecurity, helping organizations prepare for the security implications of quantum technologies.

What You'll Do:

• PQC Architecture & Strategy
  • Lead technical methodology for enterprise post-quantum cryptography assessments.
  • Assess organizational exposure to RSA, ECC/ECDH, and other quantum-vulnerable cryptography.
  • Develop crypto-agility and PQC migration strategies.
  • Design target-state architectures for hybrid and PQC-ready cryptographic implementations.
  • Assess implications of NIST standards including ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA.
• Cryptographic Infrastructure
  • Assess TLS, PKI, certificates, HSM/KMS, identity, code signing, and document signing infrastructure.
  • Identify cryptographic dependencies across networks, applications, cloud environments, and third parties.
  • Support development of cryptographic inventories and CBOMs.
  • Evaluate certificate lifetimes, key management, signing infrastructure, and migration constraints.
• Risk & Client Engagement
  • Develop risk-based migration priorities based on external exposure, data shelf life, signing criticality, and remediation complexity.
  • Assess vendor and supplier PQC readiness.
  • Lead technical workshops with client security, infrastructure, and architecture teams.
  • Develop technical requirements, architecture patterns, migration roadmaps, and executive risk narratives.
  • Review technical deliverables for quality and consistency.

Who You Are:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in network engineering, network security, or security architecture.
• Deep knowledge of enterprise networking and security architecture.
• Strong experience with TLS, VPN, proxies, firewalls, load balancers, CDN/WAF, API gateways, and network security controls.
• Experience with Zero Trust/ZTNA and hybrid-cloud environments.
• Understanding of cryptographic dependencies in network infrastructure.
• Experience assessing security architectures and developing target-state designs.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. U.S. citizenship is not required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in financial services or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience with hybrid PQC implementations.
• Experience with cryptographic inventory or CBOM platforms.
• Experience with NIST cybersecurity frameworks or related standards.
• CISSP or other relevant security certification.