Systems Engineer - Cyber & Security

ExistX, Inc; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Medical insurance

HSA contributions

Dental & Vision

401(k) matching

Remote-friendly

25 days PTO

Job summary

ExistX, Inc. is seeking a mid-level Cyber Systems Engineer to join our Dayton, Ohio team.

You will coordinate security accreditation activities and serve as the primary liaison with government and contractors to achieve Authority to Operate on cryptographic devices and embedded systems for aircraft. You’ll work with cross-functional teams across engineering, program management, and security to deliver compliant, secure communications solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 5-10 years of relevant technical and/or customer experience.
• Background in cyber security, engineering, cryptographic key management, or related technical field.
• Possess / maintain a current/or recent U.S. Government Security Clearance (Active TS/SCI preferred).
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
• Familiarity working with platform IT development teams and supporting their ability to satisfy SERD (IASRD) and CD RD (TSRD) requirements.
• Experience supporting government activities for certification and the Authority To Operate (ATO) processes, particularly for cryptographic systems.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Experience performing security assessments for embedded and cyber-physical systems.
• In-depth knowledge of cryptographic algorithms and protocols (SHA-2, AES-256, RSA).
• Familiarity with CNSA 2.0 cryptographic standards.
• Familiarity with radio frequency RF and COMSEC equipment.
• Experience with U.S. Air Force platforms.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate customer security accreditation activities.
• Liaise between government agencies and prime contractors in recurring meetings and reviews.
• Review engineering designs for security deficiencies and zeroization in critical scenarios.
• Draft COMSEC and crypto key management processes for pilots and flight personnel.
• Contribute to test plans for physical and logical interfaces to ensure accreditation compliance.
• Manage certification processes for cryptographic devices and associated systems.
• Support hardware and software security assessments for embedded and cyber-physical systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success and timely delivery.

Skills

Cyber security

Cryptographic keys

Security clearance

Government programs

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

About Us

ExistX was founded in 2023 with the goal to combine cutting edge invention with practical implementation in the unique environments our customers demand to solve national security problems in the real world.

Our team of software and systems engineers bring experience working with cutting-edge advancements in cryptography, cyber-physical systems, MBSE, and formal methods for both government and commercial applications. We leverage a unique suite of capabilities—incubated through our sister R&D firm, Galois, and other key research partnerships—to rapidly prototype and deliver impactful solutions to the warfighter.

There exists a solution X that satisfies problem P.

The solution exists. Let’s build it together.

About This Role

We are seeking a mid-level Cyber Systems Engineer that has an interest and prior experience in cyber systems engineering and/or systems security to join our team in Dayton, Ohio. In this role, you will be a member of a multi-person team, serving as the focal point for an assigned project where you will lead the coordination and support activities that enable the government to go through the appropriate security accreditation processes. You are key to ensuring the customer achieves Authority to Operate (ATO), for both the unique cryptographic devices and the chassis that they are embedded in on the aircraft. You will work in a collaborative environment, interfacing with government personnel and contractor developer, integration, and test teams to bring secure encrypted communications to aircraft over multiple commercial satellite constellations. Work is performed at both the government and contractor facilities, as well as remote.

You will join a small, growing team where every individual's contributions directly shape the Company’s growth and impact. You’ll collaborate with Engineering, Program Management, Business Development as well as work with a group of world class engineers, researchers, and leaders. We value curiosity, accountability, and collaboration.

Responsibilities

These responsibilities are executed in close collaboration with the CTO, COO, and program management leadership.

Technical Support

• Serves as a technical program coordinator supporting customer security accreditation activities
• Technical liaison between government agencies and prime contractorsin customer-facing recurring meetings, milestone reviews, and documentation with key stakeholders.
• Applies technical expertise to review engineering designs or security deficiencies such as red/black separation and zeroization in critical scenarios.
• Drafts processes for proper COMSEC and crypto key management for pilots and flight personnel.
• Advises and contributes to the development of test plans for both physical and logical interfaces to ensure compliance with requirements set by the accreditation bodies.
• Serves as the Customer focal point for managing projects through certification processes for cryptographic devices, as well as associated tactical systems with the DoW / DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF)
• Supports hardware and software security assessments for embedded and cyber-physical systems
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure project success and timely delivery

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree with 5-10 years of relevant technical and/or customer experience.
• Background in cyber security, engineering, cryptographic key management, or related technical field.
• Possess / maintain a current/or recent U.S. Government Security Clearance (Active TS/SCI security clearance preferred).
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
• Familiarity working with platform IT development teams and supporting their ability to successfully satisfy SERD (IASRD) and CD RD (TSRD) requirements.
• Experience supporting government activities for certification and the Authority To Operate (ATO) processes, particularly for cryptographic systems.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Experience performing security assessments for embedded and cyber-physical systems.
• In-depth knowledge of cryptographic algorithms and protocols (e.g., SHA-2, AES-256, RSA).
• Familiarity with CNSA 2.0 cryptographic standards.
• Familiarity with radio frequency RF and COMSEC equipment.
• Experience with U.S. Air Force platforms.

General Attributes

• High attention to detail and time-management skills.
• Highly organized and proactive, with excellent multitasking and prioritization skills.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, growth-focused environment with evolving priorities.
• Collaborative mindset with a focus on clarity, accountability, and follow-through.
• Curiosity for all things technology.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Location

ExistX is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia with additional locations in Dayton, Ohio and Portland, Oregon. We have some remote employees distributed across the U.S.

This role will be based in our Dayton, Ohio office with support for the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base(WPAFB) with flexibility for some of the work to be performed remotely.

This will be a hybrid work arrangement and may require occasional travel between Dayton, Ohio and the east coast. Relocation assistance is available.

Position requires eligibility to work with cleared programs. Hybrid or onsite presence may be required depending on contract or security requirements. Regular interaction with government customers, auditors, or security personnel will be required.

Benefits

ExistX offers a highly competitive benefits program to support employees and their families, including:

• Competitive salaries
• Employer paid medical insurance plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions
• Employer paid dental and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Flexible work location with a remote friendly culture
• Generous paid time off (25 days per year)