Senior Space Cryptography Systems Engineer

Umbra; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD,STD

Stock Options

Free Parking

Free lunch daily in office

Job summary

Umbra is seeking a Cryptographic Systems Engineer to own Type-1 crypto architecture across spacecraft, payloads, and ground systems. You will drive design, integration, and certification through NSA and government channels, ensuring secure command and data protection from concept to on-orbit operations.

The role requires coordinating with mission systems, software, avionics, RF, and security teams to deliver compliant, scalable cryptographic solutions for national security missions and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of engineering experience with cryptographic systems, COMSEC, or secure communications.
• Direct experience with NSA Type-1 cryptographic equipment, integration, and certification processes.
• Working knowledge of key management, key loading, and COMSEC handling requirements.
• Experience taking a hardware or system design through certification and accreditation to operational use.
• Strong systems-level thinking across hardware, software, and RF boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end architecture and design of Type-1 cryptographic integrations across the spacecraft, payload, and ground segment.
• Lead crypto designs from concept and trade studies through implementation, integration, certification, and on-orbit operations.
• Define COMSEC architecture for command, telemetry, and mission data protection, including encryption, key management, and key loading approaches.
• Serve as Umbra's primary technical interface to NSA, certification authorities, and government customers on cryptographic certification and accreditation.
• Drive the certification and accreditation effort, developing artifacts, test evidence, and documentation to achieve and maintain approval to operate.
• Partner with flight software, avionics, RF, ground, and security teams to integrate cryptographic functions into the broader system architecture.
• Support COMSEC handling, key management planning, and operational procedures for on-orbit fleet operations.
• Identify and mitigate cryptographic and supply-chain risks across design and production.
• Establish reusable cryptographic standards, interfaces, and processes that scale across Umbra's satellite production line.

Skills

Cryptographic systems

COMSEC

Secure communications

NSA Type-1

Security clearance

Systems thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or CS

Tools

Type-1 cryptographic equipment

Job description

Umbra is seeking a Cryptographic Systems Engineer to own Type-1 crypto architecture across spacecraft, payloads, and ground systems. You will drive design, integration, and certification through NSA and government channels, ensuring secure command and data protection from concept to on-orbit operations.

The role requires coordinating with mission systems, software, avionics, RF, and security teams to deliver compliant, scalable cryptographic solutions for national security missions and