Strategic Crypto Security Engineer SME

KBR•El Segundo, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security. KBR is seeking a motivated and experienced Cryptography Subject Matter Expert to join our team in El Segundo, CA. KBR (formerly LinQuest) is the prime contractor on the Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) Systems Engineering, Integration and Test (MSEIT) contract. The MSEIT effort provides leading-edge Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) for the United States Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC). We acquire state-of-the-art Military and Commercial Satellite Communications (SATCOM) systems, providing global, secure, survivable, and protected communications for our nation’s warfighters. We seek technical individuals who will thrive in a highly collaborative work environment of small teams, using the most modern tools and methodologies to tackle the challenges of integrating complex space and ground communications systems.

Requirements

An active TS/SCI is required for this position
BS in technical field, such as engineering, mathematics, physics, or computer science
Understanding of the discipline and practice of Systems Engineering throughout the system lifecycle phases of concept, development, production, operations, and sustainment
10+ years’ experience with systems engineering, which may include crypto, cyber security, requirements development, verification, integration, and test
10+ years’ experience with crypto, NSA certification processes, and Key Management processes
5+ years’ experience with military or DoD or Intelligence Community space and ground
Proficient in Microsoft Office products, such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Possess strong oral and written communication and presentation skills; able to author final-version deliverable technical documents and reports

Nice To Haves

MS in technical field, such as engineering, mathematics, physics, or computer science
Familiarity with Jira and Confluence
Experience with NSA’s Key Management Infrastructure (KMI)
Experience with HAIPEs and cross-domain solutions (CDS)
Certifications, such as CISSP, SANS, CEH, INCOSE CSEP or ESEP, OCSMP (MBSE)

Responsibilities

Provide technical expertise in the development, integration, and delivery of both space and ground cryptographic units, ensuring all solutions align with mission objectives and system requirements.
Lead spacecraft cryptographic unit trade studies, evaluating candidate solutions against requirements, interface constraints, environmental considerations, performance criteria, and testability.
Deliver clear, data‑driven recommendations to program leadership and customers.
Oversee the technical design, interface definition, development, and delivery of needed encryption units, including hardware and firmware.
Ensure compatibility with subsystems and compliance with mission, cybersecurity, and interface standards.
Manage technical design, interface definition, development, and delivery of needed encryption units, ensuring proper integration with ground systems, mission operations, and secure architectures.
Support and oversee all testing activities for encryption units including dry runs and SVT.
Ensure successful completion of verification and validation campaigns by developing or reviewing test plans, procedures, and reports.
Participate in TRRs, dry run, SVTs, participate in CDRL review, address anomalies, and ensure full requirement traceability.
Provide supplemental support for Protected Key Management Architecture (PKMA) including secure key management processes, documentation, and architecture alignment.
Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with government customers, contractors, subcontractors, and FFRDC partners.
Represent the crypto engineering function in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and program‑level forums.
Lead and mentor engineers (junior to mid‑level), including task assignment, technical reviews, and professional development.
Oversee crypto lifecycle management.
Manage technical scope, priorities, and dependencies for cryptographic tasks within program schedules and constraints.
Establish and enforce cryptographic standards and best practices across programs and platforms.