Senior Cryptographic Systems Engineer
Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems, from sensors to spacecraft, that empower customers worldwide with unmatched access to critical information from space. Our mission is simple and ambitious: redefine space—for people, systems, and missions in every domain. Umbra’s ecosystem operates through three business units: Remote Sensing (the data), Space Systems (the components), and Mission Solutions (the platforms). Together, our teams develop capabilities that deliver persistent access, resilient performance, and mission-ready solutions, advancing U.S. space leadership while keeping the world safe and informed.
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.
If you want to work on cutting-edge space technology that’s redefining what’s possible in space platforms, you belong here at Umbra.
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. Working closely with mission systems, spacecraft, ground software, government customers, and the National Security Agency, you will define the COMSEC architecture that protects command and telemetry links, mission data, and cross-domain interfaces for national security missions. This role is responsible for ensuring Umbra's secure communications solutions meet the highest standards for performance, resiliency, and compliance while supporting rapid development, production, and deployment of advanced space systems. As the technical authority for cryptographic integration, you will establish the engineering standards, certification strategy, and secure communications framework that future Umbra programs build upon.
This position is based on-site in either our Arlington, VA office or Reston, VA office.
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 Umbras 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 Umbras satellite production line.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
- 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. Applicants must be U.S. citizens to obtain and maintain a 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
Umbra is an 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. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions requiring an active U.S. Government security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
Employment Eligibility Verification
In compliance with federal laws, all hired persons will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) upon hire.
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.
Skills
As published by workable · 7 questions · 3 written answers
Basics
First name, Last name, Email, Phone, Address, Resume, Are you legally authorized to work in the US for any employer? , To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. , Cover letter, How did you hear about Umbra? , What is the highest level of education that you completed?, What is your desired base pay?, When are you available to start?, Various federal laws restrict the employment and post-government employment (PGE) activities of federal government employees. Please identify your employment status with the United States Federal Government, including civilian or military. Umbra may request additional detail on the nature of any U.S. Federal Government employment and may require provision of an agency ethics opinion letter., Similar to federal laws there may be state and local laws that regulate the post-government employment (PGE) activities of current or former state or local government (municipal government) employees. These regulations may vary from state to state but may address activities related to contracting, procurement, regulatory or legislative roles, or other public employment within a municipal government. Please select your employment status with respect to municipal governments., If you answered "I have never..." to both of the above questions, please select N/A. If you answered with something else, answer the following question: Did you in the past, or are you now, participating in, supervising, or otherwise responsible for any active or pending government procurement or contract administration matter that does or might involve Umbra Lab, Inc. and/or a matter that has a direct or potential effect on the financial or business interests of Umbra Lab, Inc.?, If you answered "I have never..." to both of the above questions, please select N/A. If you answered with something else, answer the following question: To the best of your knowledge, is any member of your immediate family (including spouse, parents, siblings, and children), member of your household, or person with whom you have a similarly close personal relationship a current employee of the U.S. Federal Government, a municipal government, or a candidate for political office?
Pick from a list (4)
- Do you have an active TS/SCI security clearance?
- Do you currently reside in (or within commuting distance to) the Arlington, VA or Reston, VA area?
- If you don't reside in the Reston, VA or Arlington, VA areas, are you able to relocate to either area, as this is primarily an in-office role?
- Do you have experience with ground systems engineering and testing related to spacecraft or satellites?
Written answers (3)
- Do you have experience designing, architecting, integrating, and verifying mission-critical ground systems supporting Intelligence Community (IC), DoD, space, ISR, or other national security programs? Briefly explain your experience and years of experience.
- Do you have experience developing and implementing Communications Security (COMSEC) plans, key management, and secure communications requirements? How many years of experience?
- Do you have a strong understanding of RED/BLACK architectures and how many years of experience do you have with RED/BLACK network designs?