Scientist, Systems Engineering

L3Harris Technologies•Carlsbad, CA

3d•$153,000 - $284,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Systems Crypto Lead leads development teams in defining requirements and conceptualizing secure communications system architectures for National Security Agency-certified cryptographic products. The role serves as the primary responsible engineer for certification to common NSA requirements, including Information Assurance Security Related Design (IASRD) Requirements and the Security Evaluation Requirements Document (SERD). It provides hands-on technical leadership across secure system design, embedded cryptographic solutions, and communications network architecture while balancing security, performance, and reliability. The role partners with engineering, production, business development, and customer teams to communicate technical direction, manage risk, and support program execution. The position is located in Carlsbad, California, with a 9/80 schedule: employees work nine days in every 14-day period, totaling 80 hours, and have every other Friday off. Travel of up to 20 percent may be required for stakeholder engagement, reviews, integration activities, and on-site program support.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least 12 years of prior relevant experience; or graduate degree and at least 10 years of prior related experience; or, in lieu of a degree, at least 16 years of prior related experience.
Active Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

At least 10 years of experience in security engineering, systems engineering, network engineering, or related technical roles.
Experience certifying products to National Security Agency standards, including IASRD Requirements and SERD.
Experience in at least one area related to encrypted communications products: systems engineering, electronic hardware design, firmware design, or software design.
Knowledge of secure system design, communications networks, cybersecurity controls, threat modeling, cryptographic algorithms, and cryptographic protocols.
Ability to analyze risk and apply security controls to achieve practical risk reduction while balancing security, performance, and reliability.
Familiarity with collaboration across organizational boundaries, including engineering, production, and business development.
Familiarity with modern network protocols, routing, wireless communications, encryption, and network security architecture.
Excellent communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders at multiple levels.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and validation of secure system architectures, communications networks, and embedded cryptographic solutions.
Serve as the primary responsible engineer for product certification to National Security Agency requirements, including IASRD Requirements and SERD.
Guide implementation of secure network design, segmentation strategies, encryption mechanisms, and cybersecurity controls across product architectures.
Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through requirements definition, concept development, design execution, integration, verification, and sustainment.
Identify technical, certification, and program risks throughout the lifecycle and develop mitigation strategies that achieve practical risk reduction.
Conduct system performance analysis, architectural trade studies, and technical reviews to verify behavior under operational and security constraints.
Mentor and develop engineers across multiple teams, providing technical guidance, training, and support.
Build productive relationships with engineering teams, product owners, executives, customers, and external partners.
Prepare and present technical data at internal and customer reviews, communicating technical details, project progress, and architecture decisions.
Coordinate across systems, hardware, software, firmware, and production teams to deliver integrated and certifiable secure communications solutions.
Travel up to 20 percent as needed for stakeholder engagement, reviews, integration activities, and on-site program support.