Principal Crypto Engineer (TS/SCI)

The Role

As K2's Crypto Engineer, you will own the architecture and design of our Type-1 cryptographic integrations across the spacecraft and ground segment. You will carry these designs cradle-to-grave — from concept and trade studies, through implementation and integration, to NSA certification and accreditation, and into on-orbit operations. You'll define how K2's satellites protect command, telemetry, and mission data; partner with NSA, government customers, and certification authorities; and ensure our COMSEC architecture meets the bar for national-security missions while fitting the pace and scale of a high-volume satellite production line. This is a foundational role: you'll set the cryptographic standards the rest of the program builds against.

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 K2'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 K2's satellite production line

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related discipline
• 5+ 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 work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding startup atmosphere with competing priorities and aggressive schedules

Nice to Have

• Experience with spacecraft, satellite, or other space-system cryptographic integrations
• Familiarity with cryptographic modernization initiatives and current NSA-approved algorithms and equipment
• Experience with RMF/ATO, JSIG, or other accreditation frameworks
• Background in RF, link design, or secure command and telemetry systems
• Experience supporting on-orbit or fielded operations

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
• Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance required; ability to obtain and maintain access to additional programs as needed
• Ability to work irregular business hours to support critical project timelines or operations
• This role requires access to information controlled under ITAR/EAR; applicants must be a U.S. Person as defined by applicable regulations

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $160,000 - $245,000 + equity in the company
• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks