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Senior Cryptographic Systems Engineer

Umbra · Arlington, VA · Yesterday
On-siteEngineering$190k–$220k/yrFull-time

About The Team

Mission Solutions - The Platforms
Mission Solutions builds on Umbra's expertise in remote sensing and spacecraft operations to engineer platforms purpose-built for U.S. and allied defense and intelligence missions. Whether it's a custom payload, a full-stack spacecraft, or the infrastructure behind an entire constellation, our team delivers secure, resilient systems tailored to exacting requirements and built on timelines that match the urgency of the mission.

About The Job

As Umbra's Cryptographic Systems Engineer, you will own the architecture, integration, and lifecycle management of Type 1 cryptographic capabilities across our space and ground systems. You will lead the development of secure communications architectures from concept development and trade studies through implementation, integration, verification, NSA certification and accreditation, launch, and on-orbit operations.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own the end-to-end architecture and design of Type-1 cryptographic integrations across the spacecraft, payload, and ground segment.
  • Lead crypto designs from concept and trade studies through implementation, integration, certification, and on-orbit operations.
  • Define COMSEC architecture for command, telemetry, and mission data protection, including encryption, key management, and key loading approaches.
  • Serve as Umbra's primary technical interface to NSA, certification authorities, and government customers on cryptographic certification and accreditation.
  • Drive the certification and accreditation effort, developing the artifacts, test evidence, and documentation required to achieve and maintain approval to operate.
  • Partner with flight software, avionics, RF, ground, and security teams to integrate cryptographic functions into the broader system architecture.
  • Support COMSEC handling, key management planning, and operational procedures for on-orbit fleet operations.
  • Identify and mitigate cryptographic and supply-chain risks across design and production.
  • Establish reusable cryptographic standards, interfaces, and processes that scale across Umbra's satellite production line.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
  • 8+ years of engineering experience with cryptographic systems, COMSEC, or secure communications.
  • Direct experience with NSA Type-1 cryptographic equipment, integration, and certification processes.
  • Working knowledge of key management, key loading, and COMSEC handling requirements.
  • Experience taking a hardware or system design through certification and accreditation to operational use.
  • Strong systems-level thinking with the ability to reason from first principles across hardware, software, and RF boundaries.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

  • 12+ years of engineering experience with cryptographic systems, COMSEC, or secure communications.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding startup atmosphere with competing priorities and aggressive schedules.
  • Experience with spacecraft, satellite, or other space-system cryptographic integrations.
  • Experience supporting ISR, SAR, or other space-based intelligence collection missions.
  • Familiarity with cryptographic modernization initiatives and current NSA-approved algorithms and equipment.
  • Background in RF, link design, or secure command and telemetry systems.
  • Experience supporting on-orbit or fielded operations.
  • Knowledge of satellite mission operations, TT&C systems, mission planning, or ground data processing architectures.
  • Experience supporting U.S. Government, DoD, Intelligence Community, or NRO space programs.

Benefits

  • Flexible Time Off, Sick, Family & Medical Leave
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD (employer funded)
  • Vol Life, Critical Illness, Accidental, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance (employee funded)
  • 401k with 3% non-elective company contribution
  • Stock Options
  • Free Parking
  • Free lunch daily in office

Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position may include access to technology and/or data that is subject to U.S. export controls pursuant to ITAR and EAR. To comply with federal export controls, all persons hired must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or must otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable.

Pay Transparency

This job posting may cover multiple career levels. To ensure greater transparency, we provide base salary ranges for all roles, regardless of location. Our standard pay ranges are based on the role's function and level, benchmarked against similar growth-stage companies. Compensation may vary based on geographical location, as certain regions may have different cost-of-living factors. The final offer will also be influenced by the candidate's skills, responsibilities, and relevant experience. Compensation Range The Compensation Range for this role is $190,000 - $220,000 DOE.

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