Lead Cryptography Engineer

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The N113 Integrated Space C2 department fields capabilities and establishes cross cutting enablers to deliver an integrated resilient Space C2 Enterprise for the Space Warfighter. N113 performs numerous prototyping activities including systems modeling, software architecting and development, and analysis capabilities designed to enable analysis and research in all space mission domains across multiple customers, missions, and technology providers for both the sponsor and other MITRE efforts. The research, development, and outcomes of these efforts provide high-quality, comprehensive, quantitative insights for senior government decision makers shaping the future of our nation's Space policy, operations, and systems. The N113 department is a major contributor to the Space Warfighting Division by enabling joint combat power and superiority in all domains in, from, and through space.

Roles & Responsibilities:

MITRE's N113 Integrated Space C2 Department is seeking a qualified candidate for our growing cryptographic engineering work program. The successful candidates will directly contribute to one or more projects for our direct sponsors at Space Systems Command (SSC) in Los Angeles, especially SSC/ Space Sensing (SN).

Key functions include:

• Providing thought leadership in secure system design and applied cryptography both within MITRE and for our sponsors, reflecting recent relevant research and commercial technology.
• Proposing novel approaches to secure system design involving applications of cryptography, bringing your unique knowledge to bear.
• Working with department leadership and subject matter experts to evolve our strategy and technical capabilities in alignment with sponsor needs.
• Lead the Missile Warning Tracking and Defense (MWTD) Enterprise security and interoperability with other DoD and commercial systems, as well as backwards compatibility with legacy Missile Warning and Missile Defense systems
• Enhance MWTD system performance, ensure technical coherence, expediting the fielding of capability to align with Gov objectives and mission success.
• Assess SYD84 Crypto vulnerabilities and identify space and ground segments requiring updates
• Collaborate with Government in defining an enterprise approach for resourcing and executing MWTD Crypto/COMSEC needs.
• Provide subject matter expertise for evaluation of cryptography, access control and key management, and security design, to include cryptographic modernization.
• Evaluate options for crypto equipment, in alignment with the program's Space and Ground cryptographic requirements and cryptographic key management architectures as an integral part of systems engineering processes.
• Make recommendation to the government to address contract gaps for Crypto/COMSEC on current and future contracts.
• Provide expertise for the development of a central Crypto/COMSEC Digital knowledgebase enabling information sharing across SN programs and stakeholders.
• Propose and lead new research into novel approaches to secure system design involving applications of cryptography, bringing unique knowledge to bear.
• Work with department leadership and subject matter experts to evolve our strategy and technical capabilities in alignment with sponsor needs.
• Provide exemplary leadership, caring mentorship, and generously sharing technical advice with staff related to domain knowledge or capabilities.
• Serves as subject matter expert for SSC/SN Directorate Mission Assurance Controlling Authority/COMESEC Point of Contact for any development activity that involves COMSEC or TRANSEC hardware and/or keying material for SN space vehicle or ground segment acquisitions.
• Activities include but not limited to providing SME insights for crypto key material or hardware requests (Government Furnished Equipment), movement, transfer, maintenance, key loading, problems with key material, hardware or procedures in accordance with the Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division (CCSD), Cyberspace Capabilities Center (HQ CCC), and NSA support request.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically require a minimum of 8 years of related experience as an engineer or researcher on work relating to cybersecurity, secure system design, or applied cryptography with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Applied Mathematics, or related technical field; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Active Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
• Working knowledge of NSA cryptographic algorithms and important cryptographic protocol standards such as TLS, IKE/IPsec, S/MIME, OAuth, etc.
• Deep technical understanding of one or more areas within cryptography or applied cryptography.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating successfully with teams.
• Demonstrated examples of building and leveraging relationships that had a positive impact on the work.
• Track record of impactful work - how you have made a difference.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and proactive, critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written/verbal communications skills.
• This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference given to qualified candidates with active DoD Top Secret / SCI Clearance.
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Applied Mathematics, or related technical field of study.
• Experience in cryptographic or cryptanalytic research.
• Desire to specify and execute independent research applicable to government sponsor problems.
• A personal desire to help develop and acquire safe and secure applications.
• Experience with coordination with the Air Force CCSD for development and acquisition of cryptologic devices and management of enterprise cryptographic needs.
• Knowledge and experience with COMESEC, TRANSEC, TEMPEST/EMI DoD Requirements
• Knowledge and experience with Government Furnished Equipment/Government Furnished Property (crypto devices) with the Air Force CCSD (Depot).
• Experience with DoD Crypto Modernization Initiative Support to determine if cryptographic algorithms and/or crypto devices that need upgrading.
• Experience with DoD Controlled Space Systems requirements of NSA-approved COMESEC and TRANSEC for uplinks, downlinks, and crosslinks.

Familiar with or previously worked with below standards/requirements:

• Committee on National Security Systems Advisory Memorandum (CNSSAM) TEMPEST/01-13
• Committee on National Security Systems Instruction (CNSSI) No. 10131 June 2023 "Instruction for a System Transmission Security (TRANSEC) Plan"
• Committee on National Security Systems Policy (CNSSP) No. 8 February 2018 "Cybersecurity Policy for Space Systems Used to Support National Security Missions
• DOD INSTRUCTION 8520.02 "PUBLIC KEY INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC KEY ENABLING"
• Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS)140-3 U.S. government computer security standard used to approve cryptographic modules.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Top Secret

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Top Secret/SCI

Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$158,800 - $198,500 - $238,200 Annual

Work Location Type:
Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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