Communication Security Operations Lead

SAIC•Springfield, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Communication Security Operations Lead provides operational execution and technical leadership for the Department of State’s (DOS) Communication Security Division’s Operations support team. This team is responsible for providing operational support to the custodians of the department’s high-assurance Communications Security (COMSEC) infrastructure. One of the key responsibilities for this pivotal role is the transformation of the current legacy 24/7 network and COMSEC monitoring practice into a modern, proactive practice built around automation, intelligent alerting, real-time dashboards, and reduced operational toil. This position oversees a multidisciplinary team—including network and systems engineers, security analysts, COMSEC auditors, logistics specialists, and data engineers—ensuring the delivery of robust, compliant, and software-driven cryptographic solutions. The scope encompasses the entire high-assurance ecosystem lifecycle (KMI and INE solutions, secure warehouse logistics) with a heavy focus on spearheading the adoption of Over-the-Network Keying (OTNK), transitioning to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) solutions, and deploying next-generation High-Assurance Inline Network Encryption (HAIPE) and Next Generation Load Devices (NGLD).

Requirements

Operational execution and technical leadership for Communication Security Operations.
Operational support to custodians of high-assurance Communications Security (COMSEC) infrastructure.
Transformation of legacy 24/7 network and COMSEC monitoring to a modern, proactive practice.
Automation, intelligent alerting, real-time dashboards, and reduced operational toil.
Overseeing a multidisciplinary team (network and systems engineers, security analysts, COMSEC auditors, logistics specialists, data engineers).
Delivery of robust, compliant, and software-driven cryptographic solutions.
Management of the entire high-assurance ecosystem lifecycle (KMI and INE solutions, secure warehouse logistics).
Spearheading adoption of Over-the-Network Keying (OTNK).
Transitioning to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) solutions.
Deploying next-generation High-Assurance Inline Network Encryption (HAIPE) and Next Generation Load Devices (NGLD).
Mentoring and upskilling KMI professionals, engineers, analysts, and logistics personnel.
Fostering continuous training on emerging cryptographic standards, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), and automated configuration management.
Supporting cryptographic asset discovery and PQC adoption strategies aligned with CNSA 2.0.
Supporting crypto-agile frameworks for seamless ingestion of new cryptographic algorithms.
Supporting testing and deployment of secure enterprise and tactical cryptographic solutions & CSfC approved solutions.
Leading and supporting operational tasks for scaling Over-the-Network Keying (OTNK) protocols.
Leading technical evaluation, laboratory benchmarking, and phased rollout of next-generation HAIPE devices.
Overseeing strategic transition from legacy fill devices to modern Next Generation Load Device (NGLD) platforms.
Directing rigorous testing, scheduling, and automated deployment of firmware modifications, software patches, and security configurations.

Responsibilities

Transformational Leadership: Manage, mentor, and upskill a large team of KMI professionals, engineers, analysts, and logistics personnel, transitioning them from manual, reactive monitoring to automated, proactive engineering practices.
Reduction of Toil: Eliminate "staring at monitors" by designing and implementing automated workflows, centralized health dashboards, and high-fidelity, actionable alerting frameworks.
Resource Integration: Align staffing and skills across distinct engineering, daily cryptographic operations, and compliance workstreams to support a modernized infrastructure.
Culture of Innovation: Foster continuous training on emerging cryptographic standards, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), and automated configuration management.
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Transition: Support cryptographic asset discovery, and implementation of PQC algorithms adoption strategies in alignment with CNSA 2.0.
Crypto-Agility Engineering: Support the implementation of crypto-agile frameworks capable of seamlessly ingesting new cryptographic algorithms via software updates, minimizing the need for physical hardware replacement.
Solutions Development: Support the testing and deployment of secure enterprise and tactical cryptographic solutions & CSfC approved solutions optimized for modern network architectures.
OTNK Scaling: lead and support operational tasks associated with the overhauling of current key management practice by scaling Over-the-Network Keying (OTNK) protocols, drastically reducing manual touchpoints and legacy physical key delivery.
Next-Gen HAIPE Deployment: Lead the technical evaluation, laboratory benchmarking, and phased rollout of next-generation HAIPE devices, ensuring multi-enclave throughput, backward compatibility, and adherence to national security validation standards.
Modern Load Infrastructure: Oversee the strategic transition from legacy fill devices to modern Next Generation Load Device (NGLD) platforms, integrating seamlessly with contemporary Key Management Infrastructure (KMI).
Automated Patching & Vulnerability Management: Direct rigorous testing, scheduling, and automated deployment of firmware modifications, software patches, and security configurations across all high-assurance assets.