Senior Crypto Architect for Spacecraft & Ground Systems

K2 Space Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

K2 Space Corporation is seeking a Senior Cryptographic Systems Engineer in Los Angeles to own end-to-end cryptographic architecture across spacecraft, payload, and ground systems. You will lead crypto designs from concept to test and integrate NSA Type-1 equipment with hardware, software, and RF teams.

A Bachelor's degree in electrical/computer engineering or CS and 5+ years in secure communications are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of engineering experience designing or integrating cryptographic systems or secure communications.
• Hands-on experience integrating NSA Type-1 cryptographic equipment into a hardware or software system.
• Working knowledge of key management and key loading implementations.
• Strong systems-level thinking, with the ability to reason from first principles across hardware, software, and RF boundaries.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding startup atmosphere with competing priorities and aggressive schedules.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end technical architecture of Type-1 cryptographic integrations across the spacecraft, payload, and ground segment
• Lead crypto designs from concept and trade studies through implementation, integration, and test
• Design encryption, key management, and key loading implementations for command, telemetry, and mission data
• Integrate cryptographic functions into flight software, avionics, FPGA, RF, and ground systems in partnership with those teams
• Define hardware and software interfaces between crypto equipment and the broader system architecture
• Produce the design documentation and test evidence needed to support certification, working closely with K2’s COMSEC Certification lead
• Identify and mitigate cryptographic design risks across hardware, software, and RF boundaries
• Establish reusable cryptographic designs, interfaces, and standards that scale across K2's production line
• Support anomaly resolution and troubleshooting for fielded and on-orbit crypto systems

Skills

Crypto integration

Key management

Systems thinking

Startup pace

Clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in electrical/computer engineering or computer science

Tools

NSA Type-1 equipment

Flight software interfaces

Job description

K2 Space Corporation is seeking a Senior Cryptographic Systems Engineer in Los Angeles to own end-to-end cryptographic architecture across spacecraft, payload, and ground systems. You will lead crypto designs from concept to test and integrate NSA Type-1 equipment with hardware, software, and RF teams.

A Bachelor's degree in electrical/computer engineering or CS and 5+ years in secure communications are required.