Senior Crypto Security Engineer

KBR, Inc; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 163,000 - 204,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

AD&D

FSA

Disability

PTO

Flexible schedule

Job summary

KBR, Inc. in El Segundo, CA, is seeking a Senior Crypto Security Engineer to join the National Security Solutions team. You will lead development and integration of space and ground cryptographic units, aligning with mission requirements and security standards.

The role requires an active TS/SCI clearance, 15+ years in systems engineering, 10+ years in crypto and NSA KMI, and experience with DoD/IC space programs. Proficiency in Office tools and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance required.
• 15+ years' experience with systems engineering across lifecycle phases.
• 10+ years' experience with cryptography, NSA certification processes, and Key Management.
• 5+ years' experience with space, DoD, or Intelligence Community space and ground programs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise in development, integration, and delivery of space and ground cryptographic units.
• Lead spacecraft cryptographic unit trade studies evaluating requirements and interface constraints.
• Deliver data-driven recommendations to program leadership and customers.
• Oversee design, interfaces, development, and delivery of encryption units and ensure integration with ground systems.
• Ensure compatibility with subsystems and standards, manage cryptographic task scope and priorities.
• Support and oversee testing activities for encryption units including SVT and dry runs.
• Develop or review test plans, procedures, and verification reports.
• Represent crypto engineering in design reviews and program forums; mentor junior to mid-level engineers.
• Oversee crypto lifecycle management and standardization across programs.

Skills

Cryptography

Systems engineering

Security clearance TS/SCI

Technical leadership

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Jira

Confluence

MS Office

Job description

Title: Senior 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. 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?

KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.

Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.

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

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 15+ years’ experience with systems engineering, which may include crypto, cyber security, requirements development, verification, integration, and test 10+ 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 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

Basic Compensation: $163,000-$204,000 in California The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

KBR Benefits

• 401K plan with company match
• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• AD&D
• flexible spending account
• disability
• paid time off
• or flexible work schedule

We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together. KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. KBR — Delivering Solutions, Changing the World. KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values: We Value Our People – We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential. We Deliver – We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high‑quality, technology‑led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We Are People of Integrity – We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity. We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business. We Empower – We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision‑makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed. We Are a Team of Teams – We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, and more effective company. We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function. Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals. Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries. At KBR, We Deliver.