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MITRE's DODIN Enterprise Foundations Department is looking for an experienced cyber or cryptography focused Task Lead (TL) to lead and contribute to MITRE's support to the Department of War (DoW) Chief Information Officer (DCIO) Cybersecurity Task.
This Lead Cyber Security Engineer/DoW CIO Cybersecurity Task delivers comprehensive MITRE expertise to the DoW Executive COMSEC Office (DECO) to modernize cryptography for all systems across the Department. Through Mission, Enterprise, and Systems Engineering; Technology Evaluation, Standards, and Implementation; Test and Evaluation; and End-to-End Capability Integration, this task is shaping the future of DoW cryptography. This position is focused on cryptography but works in concert with other MITRE pioneering efforts focused on Zero Trust (ZT), enhancement of Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSSP), and the Risk Management Framework (RMF) to position the DoW to address emerging threats and secure its critical systems for the future.
Roles & Responsibilities:
The Lead Cybersecurity Engineer/Task Lead will oversee and drive critical MITRE cryptographic initiatives supporting the DECO. This role requires a dynamic leader with expertise in cryptography, acquisition, task management, policy, and strategic alignment to ensure successful execution of mission-critical priorities. Key responsibilities include:
Leadership and Strategy
Task Oversight: Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex cryptography tasks aligned with DECO priorities, including Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) risk assessments, cryptographic modernization, and standards (NIST and NSA).
Workshaping: Work with MITRE department, division and sector leadership in shaping the tasks deliverables. This typically involves engaging in structured discussions, brainstorming sessions, or collaborative meetings to address task goals, challenges, and strategies.
Strategic Alignment: Collaborate with senior DoW leadership to ensure cryptographic initiatives and policies align with the Secretary of Defense's strategic goals and institutional priorities.
Change Management: Drive cultural and operational changes across the Department to institutionalize industry and DoW cryptographic best practices and standards.
Technical Expertise and Execution
Capability Integration: Collaborate with cryptographic SMEs and Oversee end-to-end planning and architecture definition of cryptographic capabilities, ensuring seamless transition from legacy cryptography to post quantum resistant cryptography across mission, enterprise, and systems engineering domains.
Technology Evaluation: Assess emerging technologies and solutions for applicability to DoW cryptographic challenges, including advanced cryptographic methods and zero trust architectures.
Risk Management: Identify, analyze, and mitigate cybersecurity risks, ensuring compliance with DoW policies and frameworks.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Cross-Functional Coordination: Facilitate collaboration across DoW components, industry partners, and other stakeholders to ensure risks are mitigated and technical solutions are feasible.
Sponsor Communication: Provide regular updates, briefings, and reports to both government and MITRE senior leadership, ensuring transparency and alignment on task progress and outcomes.
Partnership Development: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including federal agencies, contractors, and technology providers.
Operational Excellence
Subject Matter Expertise: Provide technical expertise on industry and Federal cryptography engineering topics to the sponsor aligned with NIST, NIAP, and NSA standards to assist leaders with decisions.
Knowledge Management: Develop and maintain documentation, processes, and tools to institutionalize lessons learned and best practices for future initiatives.
Basic Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess a combination of technical expertise, leadership acumen, and strategic vision to drive the successful execution of DoW cybersecurity priorities and initiatives.
Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, mathematics, or related fields; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience
Demonstrated experience architecting large-scale, complex cybersecurity architectures within the Department of Defense (DoW), federal government, or similarly regulated environments.
Understanding of cryptographic solutions and their application to DoW cybersecurity challenges, such as interoperability, quantum computing risks, and industry adoption.
Understanding of cryptographic algorithms (e.g., AES, RSA, ECC, SHA).
Familiarity with COMSEC equipment and standards
Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams across diverse geographic locations and organizational levels.
Experience in sponsor and stakeholder engagement and communication, including briefing senior leadership and coordinating across diverse teams.
Relevant technical knowledge of NIST and NSA identified cryptographic risks and potential solutions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Active Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.
This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree or higher or equivalent and 8 years of related experience in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
Advanced coursework or certifications in emerging cybersecurity technologies, such as quantum computing or cryptography.
Direct experience supporting DoW CIO or Deputy CIO initiatives, including policy development, capability integration, and enterprise-wide cybersecurity transformation.
Experience leading tasks focused on Zero Trust (ZT) architecture implementation, Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), cryptographic modernization, or Cybersecurity Service Provider (CSSP) advancements.
Demonstrated success in driving organizational change and institutionalizing cybersecurity priorities across large, complex organizations.
Advanced knowledge of DoW cybersecurity policies, directives, and frameworks, including DoW Instruction 8500.01, NIST SP 800-207 (Zero Trust Architecture), and the Risk Management Framework (RMF).
Familiarity with industry incorporation of cryptography into applications and systems.
Advanced cybersecurity certifications such as CISSP-ISSAP (Information Systems Security Architecture Professional), CISSP-ISSEP (Information Systems Security Engineering Professional), or CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional).
This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Top Secret
This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Top Secret/SCI
Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$158,800 - $198,500 - $238,200 Annual
Work Location Type:
Onsite
Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.
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