Principal Cryptography Engineer – Blockchain Specialist

About the role

MITRE is a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization that works in the public interest to strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. The Cryptography, ICAM and System Assurance department brings together researchers and practitioners focused on Cryptography and Trust; Software Assurance; Identity, Credential and Access Management; and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence. The team develops scalable approaches for systems and software, evaluates technologies, leads external partnerships, and conducts novel research and development to support federal government sponsors.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects and R&D functions focused on cryptographic foundations as they apply to blockchain, distributed ledger technology, digital assets, cryptocurrency, and Web3 ecosystems.
• Understand and analyze DeFi, DAOs/Governance, smart contracts, and other tokenized or digital‑asset concepts.
• Lead efforts to determine vulnerabilities, threats, and risks that may compromise digital‑asset ecosystems.
• Develop actionable frameworks and plans to safeguard digital‑asset ecosystems.
• Provide thought leadership on MITRE blockchain and cryptography research.
• Serve as a digital‑assets subject‑matter expert, delivering trainings and educational sessions for internal teams and sponsors.

Basic Qualifications

• 10+ years of work experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 7 years with a Master’s degree, or at least 5 years with a PhD.
• Demonstrated experience, knowledge, and passion in Zero‑Knowledge cryptography, threshold cryptography, and post‑quantum cryptography.
• Experience in cybersecurity applied to cryptocurrencies and digital assets (e.g., key‑management concepts, KYC, on‑chain analysis, and consensus protocols).
• Demonstrable technical program or technical project‑management experience.
• Strong analytical/problem‑solving skills and sound technical judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to deliver results and collaborate across teams.
• Ability to work effectively in secure/classified environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Broad exposure to cryptography and applied methods.
• Knowledge of Internet and network engineering.
• Experience applying cryptographic standards and guidelines in real‑world deployed systems.
• TS eligibility preferred.

Pay

Salary range: $172,800 – $259,200 (midpoint $216,000).

Schedule

Minimum of three days per week on‑site. Work location type: Onsite.