Job Overview
KBR is looking for a motivated and experienced Cryptography Subject Matter Expert to support the Mission Technology Solutions business (transitioning into Trinzic upon spin-off in January 2027). This role is based in El Segundo, CA or Colorado Springs, CO.
The MSEIT effort provides leading-edge Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) for the United States Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC). The team acquires state-of-the-art Military and Commercial Satellite Communications (SATCOM) systems to deliver global, secure, survivable, and protected communications for warfighters. You will work in a highly collaborative environment of small teams, applying modern tools and methodologies to integrate complex space and ground communications systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical expertise for the development, integration, and delivery of space and ground cryptographic units, ensuring alignment with mission objectives and system requirements.
- Lead spacecraft cryptographic unit trade studies by 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 required encryption units, including hardware and firmware, ensuring compatibility with subsystems and compliance with mission, cybersecurity, and interface standards.
- Manage technical design and delivery of encryption units to ensure proper integration with ground systems, mission operations, and secure architectures.
- Support and oversee testing activities for encryption units, including dry runs and SVT, and help ensure verification and validation campaign success by developing or reviewing test plans, procedures, and reports.
- Participate in TRRs, dry run, SVTs, and CDRL reviews, address anomalies, and maintain full requirement traceability.
- Provide supplemental support for Protected Key Management Architecture (PKMA), including secure key management processes, documentation, and architecture alignment.
- Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with government customers, contractors, subcontractors, and FFRDC partners, and 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, including management of 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.
Required Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI
- Bachelor’s degree
- Understanding of Systems Engineering practices across concept, development, production, operations, and sustainment lifecycle phases
- 7+ years of systems engineering experience, which may include crypto, cyber security, requirements development, verification, integration, and test
- 7+ years of experience with crypto, NSA certification processes, and Key Management processes
- 5+ years of experience with military or DoD or Intelligence Community space and ground
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills, including ability to author final-version deliverable technical documents and reports
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field such as engineering, mathematics, physics, information systems, information technology, or computer science
- Master’s degree in a technical field such as engineering, mathematics, physics, information systems, information technology, or computer science
- Familiarity with Jira and Confluence
- Experience with NSA’s Key Management Infrastructure (KMI)
- Experience with HAIPEs and cross-domain solutions (CDS)
- Relevant certifications, such as CISSP, SANS, CEH, INCOSE CSEP or ESEP, OCSMP (MBSE)
Work Environment
- Location: On site
- Travel Requirements: Minimal
- Working Hours: Standard, 40 hours per week (Full-time)
Compensation
For California only, the salary range is approximately $149,400-$186,700. For Colorado only, the salary range is approximately $136,400-$170,500. The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience, and in consideration of internal parity.
Other Compensation
KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may include sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.
Benefits
KBR offers competitive lifestyle benefits that could include a 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, and a flexible work schedule. Career advancement support includes professional training and development.
Additional Information
Candidates who join KBR’s Mission Technology Solutions business before the planned spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.
KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
