Cryptography Security Engineer SME

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is seeking a motivated and experienced Cryptography Security Engineer SME to join our team in El Segundo, CA.

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.

Key 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.

Work Environment:

Location: On-site

Travel Requirements: About once monthly

Working Hours: Standard

Qualifications:

Required:

An active TS/SCI is required for this position

Bachelors degree

Understanding of the discipline and practice of Systems Engineering throughout the system lifecycle phases of concept, development, production, operations, and sustainment

15+ 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

Desired Skills and Experience:

Bachelors degree in technical field, such as engineering, mathematics, physics, information systems, information technology, or computer science

Masters degree

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)

Compensation: The pay range for this position in California is $163,000/year to $204,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract ranges, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors. MTSI also offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. This posting will be renewed periodically until the position is filled.

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TS/SCI

Perks and Benefits

Vacation:

New Hires Accrue 20 days of PTO and 10 Holidays per Year

Health Insurance:

Zero Deductible Health Plans

Flexible Schedules:

Flex Schedules

Professional Development:

Up to $10,000 Annual Education/Training Reimbursement

ESOP:

Funded Stock Ownership Plan

401k Match+:

6% 401k Match + Immediate Vesting

Bonus Program:

Semi-Annual Bonus Opportunity

Mentorship:

Career Mentorship Programs

Why is MTSI a great place to work

Interesting Work:

Our co-workers support some of the most important and critical programs to our national defense and security.

Values:

Our first core value is that employees come first. We challenge our co-workers to provide the highest level of support and service, and reward them with some of the best benefits in the industry.

100% Employee Owned:

We have a stake in each other's success, and the success of our customers. It's also nice to know what's going on across the company; we have company wide town-hall meetings three times a year.

Great Benefits - Most Full-Time Staff Are Eligible for:

Starting PTO accrual of 20 days PTO/year + 10 holidays/year

Flexible schedules

6% 401k match with immediate vesting up to $9k annually

Semi-annual bonus eligibility (July and Decemeber)

Company funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - a separate qualified retirement account

Up to $10,000 in annual educational reimbursement

Other company funded benefits, like life and disability insurance

Optional zero deductible Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance plan

Track Record of Success:

We have grown every year since our founding in 1993.

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is a 100% employee-owned engineering services and solutions company that provides high-demand technical expertise in Digital Transformation, Modeling and Simulation, Rapid Capability Development, Test and Evaluation, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Cybersecurity and Mission Assurance

MTSI delivers capabilities to solve problems of global importance. Founded in 1993, MTSI today has employees at over 20 offices and field sites worldwide.

For more information about MTSI, please visitwww.mtsi-va.com

Why is MTSI a great place to work

Interesting Work: Our co-workers support some of the most important and critical programs to our national defense and security.

Values: Our first core value is that employees come first. We challenge our co-workers to provide the highest level of support and service, and reward them with some of the best benefits in the industry.

100% Employee Owned: We have a stake in each other's success, and the success of our customers. It's also nice to know what's going on across the company; we have company wide town-hall meetings three times a year.

Great Benefits - Most Full-Time Staff Are Eligible for:

Starting PTO accrual of 20 days PTO/year + 10 holidays/year

Flexible schedules

6% 401k match with immediate vesting up to $9k annually

Semi-annual bonus eligibility (July and Decemeber)

Company funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - a separate qualified retirement account

Up to $10,000 in annual educational reimbursement

Other company funded benefits, like life and disability insurance

Optional zero deductible Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance plan

Track Record of Success: We have grown every year since our founding in 1993.

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is a 100% employee-owned engineering services and solutions company that provides high-demand technical expertise in Digital Transformation, Modeling and Simulation, Rapid Capability Development, Test and Evaluation, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Cybersecurity and Mission Assurance

MTSI delivers capabilities to solve problems of global importance. Founded in 1993, MTSI today has employees at over 20 offices and field sites worldwide.

For more information about MTSI, please visit www.mtsi-va.com