System Engineer/COMSEC Manager TS/SCI Poly

Socket.dev; Maryland; On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

11 paid Holidays

401K with 6% company match

Flexible schedules

Discounted stock purchase plans

Technical upskilling

Education and training support

Parental paid leave

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Systems Engineer/COMSEC Manager to support a high-impact SATCOM program serving USSF/SSC and USAF. The role blends systems engineering with COMSEC responsibilities, including inventory, lifecycle, and SOP development to ensure secure operations.

The candidate will handle encryption systems, end cryptographic devices, and key management while collaborating across multiple teams and stakeholders. A TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 8+ years of experience, or equivalent.
• Familiar with CNSSI 4005/4001/4003/Policy No. 3 and NSA/CSS Policy Manual 3-16.
• At least 5 years of COMSEC experience including 3+ years with end cryptographic units and keying materials.
• Experience maintaining records, reporting incidents, and providing periodic COMSEC status.
• Demonstrated SE experience in secure comms, network security, and system design.
• Experience configuring In-line Network Encryptors and related devices.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and leadership across teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform Systems Engineering and COMSEC duties for a large-scale SATCOM program.
• Work with system/network admins to manage encryptors and secure operations.
• Manage COMSEC inventory, accountability, and lifecycle activities.
• Support periodic inventories, rekey efforts, and SOP development.
• Brief/debrief users and provide updates to Program Management and leadership.

Skills

COMSEC experience

END cryptographic units

Key management

Network security

Systems engineering

In-line Encryptors

NSA/CSS policy knowledge

TS/SCI with polygraph

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering/Engineering Management/Program Management or related field

Tools

End Cryptographic Units

Job description

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Systems Engineer/COMSEC Manager in our Intel Sector's Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!

Leidos is seeking a Systems Engineer/COMSEC Manager to support a high-impact, multi-agency program serving the United States Space Force (USSF)/Space Systems Command (SSC), the United States Air Force (USAF), and other key mission stakeholders. The selected candidate will play an important role on a critical program focused on enhancing, testing, and deploying a large-scale Satellite Communications (SATCOM) system within an existing infrastructure. The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in public key infrastructure (PKI) and Agile development, along with exceptional problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

The selected candidate will perform a combination of Systems Engineering and COMSEC Manager responsibilities in support of the program. In the Systems Engineering role, the candidate will work closely with system and network administrators to manage network encryptors and related systems. Responsibilities include identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving hardware and software issues to maintain secure and reliable system operations. In the COMSEC Manager role, the candidate will manage a comprehensive inventory of COMSEC material across the program and ensure accountability throughout the full lifecycle of COMSEC assets, including receipt, transfer, inventory, accounting, and destruction.

Additional responsibilities include supporting recurring inventories for equipment maintained by hand receipt holders, assisting with periodic rekey efforts and installation of new devices, and updating existing local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while developing and implementing new SOPs as needed. The selected candidate will also brief and debrief users entering and exiting the COMSEC program and provide Program Management and leadership with timely updates on significant developments, issues, and events.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in System Engineering, Engineering Management, Program Management, or a related field, and at least 8 years of related experience. Additional experience may be substituted for a degree.

• Must be well versed in national level policy (CNSSI 4005 “National Policy for Safeguarding Communications Security (COMSEC) Facilities and Materials”, CNSSI 4001 “Controlled Cryptographic items, CNSSI 4003 Reporting and Evaluating Communications Security (COMSEC) Incidents”, and CNSSI Policy “No. 3 National Policy on Granting Access to U.S. Classified Cryptographic Information”) as well as NSA/CSS Policy Manual 3-16.

• Must have at least 5 years of COMSEC experience, including at least 3 years of experience handling and configuring End Cryptographic Units and fill devices and at least 3 years of experience receiving, generating, and distributing electronic keying materials for internal use and external COMSEC accounts.

• Experience maintaining records and files, reporting security incidents, and providing periodic status reports regarding COMSEC material.

• Must have demonstrated Systems Engineering experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • Strong understanding of communication systems, networking, and security principles.

  • Ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues related to secure communication systems.

  • Contributing to the design of new communication systems or upgrades to existing ones, with a focus on security considerations.

  • Providing troubleshooting and support for deployed communication systems.

• Must have demonstrated experience configuring In-line Network Encryptors.

• Must have a solid understanding of NSA/CSS Policy Manual 3-16, Control of Communications Security (COMSEC) Manual.

• Must be committed to adopting and adhering to best practices including compliance with maintenance windows and change-control procedures.

• Must have strong collaboration, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Must have strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to foster collaboration across multiple teams and stakeholders.

• Clearance Required: Must have TS/SCI with Polygraph.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience performing systems engineering functions on a program using Agile methodologies.

At Leidos, the opportunities are boundless. We challenge our staff with interesting assignments that allow them to thrive professionally and personally. For us, helping you grow your career is good business. We look forward to learning more about you –

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

September 12, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.