Lead Cryptographic Infrastructure Engineer/Task Lead

The MITRE Corporation•Hopewell, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges—and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day—working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us. MITRE’s DODIN Enterprise Foundations Department is looking for an experienced cyber or cryptography focused Task Lead (TL) to lead and contribute to MITRE’s support to the Department of War (DoW) Chief Information Officer (DCIO) Cybersecurity Task. This Lead Cryptographic Infrastructure Engineer/Task Lead delivers comprehensive MITRE expertise to the DoW Executive COMSEC Office (DECO) to modernize cryptography for all systems across the Department. Through Mission, Enterprise, and Systems Engineering; Technology Evaluation, Standards, and Implementation; Test and Evaluation; and End-to-End Capability Integration, this task is shaping the future of DoW cryptography. This position is focused on cryptography but works in concert with other MITRE pioneering efforts focused on Zero Trust (ZT), enhancement of Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSSP), and the Risk Management Framework (RMF) to position the DoW to address emerging threats and secure its critical systems for the future.

Requirements

Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, mathematics, or related fields; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience
Demonstrated experience architecting large-scale, complex cybersecurity architectures within the Department of Defense (DoW), federal government, or similarly regulated environments.
Understanding of cryptographic solutions and their application to DoW cybersecurity challenges, such as interoperability, quantum computing risks, and industry adoption.
Understanding of cryptographic algorithms (e.g., AES, RSA, ECC, SHA).
Familiarity with COMSEC equipment and standards
Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams across diverse geographic locations and organizational levels.
Experience in sponsor and stakeholder engagement and communication, including briefing senior leadership and coordinating across diverse teams.
Relevant technical knowledge of NIST and NSA identified cryptographic risks and potential solutions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Active Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or higher or equivalent and 8 years of related experience in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
Advanced coursework or certifications in emerging cybersecurity technologies, such as quantum computing or cryptography.
Direct experience supporting DoW CIO or Deputy CIO initiatives, including policy development, capability integration, and enterprise-wide cybersecurity transformation.
Experience leading tasks focused on Zero Trust (ZT) architecture implementation, Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), cryptographic modernization, or Cybersecurity Service Provider (CSSP) advancements.
Demonstrated success in driving organizational change and institutionalizing cybersecurity priorities across large, complex organizations.
Advanced knowledge of DoW cybersecurity policies, directives, and frameworks, including DoW Instruction 8500.01, NIST SP 800-207 (Zero Trust Architecture), and the Risk Management Framework (RMF).
Familiarity with industry incorporation of cryptography into applications and systems.
Advanced cybersecurity certifications such as CISSP-ISSAP (Information Systems Security Architecture Professional), CISSP-ISSEP (Information Systems Security Engineering Professional), or CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional).

Responsibilities

Task Oversight: Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex cryptography tasks aligned with DECO priorities, including Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) risk assessments, cryptographic modernization, and standards (NIST and NSA).
Workshaping: Work with MITRE department, division and sector leadership in shaping the tasks deliverables. This typically involves engaging in structured discussions, brainstorming sessions, or collaborative meetings to address task goals, challenges, and strategies.
Strategic Alignment: Collaborate with senior DoW leadership to ensure cryptographic initiatives and policies align with the Secretary of Defense’s strategic goals and institutional priorities.
Change Management: Drive cultural and operational changes across the Department to institutionalize industry and DoW cryptographic best practices and standards.
Capability Integration: Collaborate with cryptographic SMEs and Oversee end-to-end planning and architecture definition of cryptographic capabilities, ensuring seamless transition from legacy cryptography to post quantum resistant cryptography across mission, enterprise, and systems engineering domains.
Technology Evaluation: Assess emerging technologies and solutions for applicability to DoW cryptographic challenges, including advanced cryptographic methods and zero trust architectures.
Risk Management: Identify, analyze, and mitigate cybersecurity risks, ensuring compliance with DoW policies and frameworks.
Cross-Functional Coordination: Facilitate collaboration across DoW components, industry partners, and other stakeholders to ensure risks are mitigated and technical solutions are feasible.
Sponsor Communication: Provide regular updates, briefings, and reports to both government and MITRE senior leadership, ensuring transparency and alignment on task progress and outcomes.
Partnership Development: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including federal agencies, contractors, and technology providers.
Subject Matter Expertise: Provide technical expertise on industry and Federal cryptography engineering topics to the sponsor aligned with NIST, NIAP, and NSA standards to assist leaders with decisions.
Knowledge Management: Develop and maintain documentation, processes, and tools to institutionalize lessons learned and best practices for future initiatives.