Systems Engineer - Cyber & Security

About Us

ExistX operationalizes advanced applied research and puts it into the environments where it matters most - on-site, on the high side. We were spun out of Galois in 2023, and our engineers work directly with Galois researchers on active programs today.

Our team of software and systems engineers bring experience working with cutting-edge advancements in cryptography, cyber-physical systems, MBSE, and formal methods. We don't consult and leave. We take research that has been proven in a lab and make it work in an operational environment.

?X.P(X): There exists a solution X that satisfies problem P. The solution exists. Let’s build it together.

About This Role

We are seeking a mid-level Cyber Systems Engineer that has an interest and prior experience in cyber systems engineering and/or systems security to join our team in Dayton, Ohio. In this role, you will be a member of a multi-person team, serving as the focal point for an assigned project where you will lead the coordination and support activities that enable the government to go through the appropriate security accreditation processes. You are key to ensuring the customer achieves Authority to Operate (ATO), for both the unique cryptographic devices and the chassis that they are embedded in on the aircraft. You will work in a collaborative environment, interfacing with government personnel and contractor developer, integration, and test teams to bring secure encrypted communications to aircraft over multiple commercial satellite constellations. Work is performed at both the government and contractor facilities, as well as remote.

You will join a small, growing team where every individual's contributions directly shape the Company’s growth and impact. You’ll collaborate with Engineering, Program Management, Business Development as well as work with a group of world class engineers, researchers, and leaders. We value curiosity, accountability, and collaboration.

They ask whether something can be done. We ask what it takes to put it in the operator's hands. If invention is the part you love, that's a great career - it's just a different one than this.

Where this sits

ExistX works across four technical verticals - cryptographic engineering, cybersecurity engineering, systems engineering and integration, and software engineering and modernization - for multiple customers across Arlington VA, Dayton OH, Laurel MD, and Oklahoma City OK. The most interesting work is where those verticals overlap.

The role starts on the work described below. It is not the only work here, and it is not the only place you can do it.

Responsibilities

These responsibilities are executed in close collaboration with the COO and program management leadership.

Technical Support:

• Serves as a technical program coordinator supporting customer security accreditation activities

• Technical liaison between government agencies and prime contractorsin customer-facing recurring meetings, milestone reviews, and documentation with key stakeholders.

• Applies technical expertise to review engineering designs or security deficiencies such as red/black separation and zeroization in critical scenarios.

• Drafts processes for proper COMSEC and crypto key management for pilots and flight personnel.

• Advises and contributes to the development of test plans for both physical and logical interfaces to ensure compliance with requirements set by the accreditation bodies.

• Serves as the Customer focal point for managing projects through certification processes for cryptographic devices, as well as associated tactical systems with the DoW / DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF)

• Supports hardware and software security assessments for embedded and cyber-physical systems

• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure project success and timely delivery

Qualifications

Required

• U.S. citizenship and active TS/SCI
• Bachelor's degree with 5-10 years of relevant technical and/or customer experience.
• Background in cyber security, engineering, cryptographic key management, or related technical field.
• Familiarity working with platform IT development teams and supporting their ability to successfully satisfy SERD (IASRD) and CDRD (TSRD) requirements.

• Experience supporting government activities for certification and the Authority To Operate (ATO) processes, particularlyfor cryptographic systems.

• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred

• Active TS/SCI with full-scope poly
• Master's degree in a relevant field

• Experience performing security assessments for embedded and cyber-physical systems

• In-depth knowledge of cryptographic algorithms and protocols (e.g., SHA-2, AES-256, RSA).

• Familiarity with CNSA 2.0 cryptographic standards

• Familiarity with radio frequency RF and COMSEC equipment

• Experience with U.S. Air Force platforms

What we hire for

• Own the Outcome - we deliver ready to operate. The work isn't done when it's technically complete; it's done when it's integrated, reliable, and in the customer's hands.
• Invest in Each Other - we know each other before we need each other. Disagreement goes to the person, not around them.
• Learn Past Your Lane - better than we were yesterday. We get our own work right first, then we learn past it.

Location

ExistX is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia with teams in Dayton OH, Laurel MD, and Oklahoma City OK, and remote employees across the U.S.

This role will be based in our Dayton, Ohio office supporting the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base(WPAFB) with flexibility for some of the work to be performed remotely.This will be a hybrid work arrangement and may require occasional travel between Dayton, Ohio and the east coast. Relocation assistance is available.

This position requires eligibility to work with cleared programs (active clearance required). Hybrid or onsite presence will be determined based on contract expectations and security requirements.

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and families
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions
• 401(k) with employer match
• 25 days of paid time off in addition to 11 Federal Holidays
• Flexible work location with a remote friendly culture
• Competitive salaries
• X20 - roughly twenty percent of your time, funded inside the week, for work you choose: certifications, internal tooling, research proposals, white papers. Not hours on top of a full billable week. Inside it.