COMSEC Technical Program Manager

SAIC•Springfield, VA

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Communication Security Technical Program Manager provides technical leadership and operational oversight for the Department of State’s (DOS) high-assurance Communications Security (COMSEC) infrastructure. This role manages a multidisciplinary team including network engineers, systems engineers, security analysts, COMSEC auditors, compliance officers, logistics specialists, and Data Engineers. The position covers all lifecycle stages of the high-assurance ecosystem, including Key Management Infrastructure (KMI) and Inline Network Encryption (INE) solutions, Over-the-Network Keying (OTNK) implementations, secure warehouse logistics, and the evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies. Key focuses include modernization efforts, automation, dashboarding, Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), transitioning to next-generation High-Assurance Inline Network Encryption (HAIPE) and modern fill devices, and supporting CSfC approved secure communication solutions. This role is primarily onsite in Springfield, VA, with remote work permitted as needed.

Requirements

Bachelors in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline and fourteen (14) years or more experience; Masters and twelve (12) years or more experience; may accept additional experience in lieu of degree.
High-Assurance Cryptography: Deep understanding of traditional and modern COMSEC architecture, Key Management Infrastructure (KMI), and type-1 encryption devices (e.g., TACLANE, SKL, KGV platforms).
Modernization Frameworks: Experience aligning enterprise technology with National Security Agency (NSA) Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA 2.0) guidelines and NIST standards.
Testing & Prototyping: Proven ability to establish isolated testing enclaves, define Proof-of-Concept (PoC) performance criteria, and manage low-blast-radius deployment strategies.
Scale Management: Demonstrated success leading technical teams within high-stakes, mission-critical environments.
Stakeholder Diplomacy: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to present complex technical risks and engineering roadmaps to leadership and external governance boards.
Decisiveness: Strong command presence with a methodical, risk-based approach to incident response, vulnerability management, and infrastructure bottlenecks.
US Citizenship.
Active secret clearance with the ability to obtain a top secret clearance.

Nice To Haves

CISSP, CISM, or formal federal/defense COMSEC Manager certifications.

Responsibilities

Manage, mentor, and evaluate a large team of KMI professionals, Network & Systems engineers, security analysts, COMSEC auditors, and logistics personnel.
Align staffing and skill sets across distinct engineering, daily cryptographic operations, and compliance workstreams.
Foster continuous training on emerging cryptographic standards, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), and evolving threat vectors.
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.
Oversee the strategic transition from legacy fill devices to modern Next Generation Load Device (NGLD) platforms, integrating seamlessly with contemporary Key Management Infrastructure (KMI).
Drive the adoption of crypto-agile frameworks capable of seamlessly ingesting new cryptographic algorithms without requiring extensive physical hardware replacement.
Architect, test, and deploy secure enterprise and tactical cryptographic solutions.
Drive strategic roadmaps, cryptographic asset discovery, and the implementation of PQC algorithms to safeguard data against quantum threats.
Direct rigorous testing, scheduling, and deployment of firmware modifications, software patches, and security configurations across all high-assurance assets.
Supervise secure warehouse environments managing Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI), ensuring strict compliance regarding receipt, storage, distribution, and destruction.
Oversee traditional and modern automated key generation, escrow, and distribution mechanisms, specializing in Over-the-Network Keying (OTNK) protocols.
Demonstrated success leading technical teams within high-stakes, mission-critical environments.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to present complex technical risks and engineering roadmaps to leadership and external governance boards.
Strong command presence with a methodical, risk-based approach to incident response, vulnerability management, and infrastructure bottlenecks.