About this Senior FIPS Security Engineer role at Leidos
The Cryptographic Security Testing (CST) Lab within Accredited Testing and Evaluation (AT&E) at Leidos currently has an opening for a Senior FIPS Security Engineer to work in our Columbia, MD office.
This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to help with FIPS 140-3 security evaluations. A Senior FIPS Security Engineer is a technical position within the CST, who has significant experience in leading trusted product validations for multiple technology types across all levels of assurance, and in providing consultancy support to CST customers. A Senior FIPS Security Engineer can provide technical support and advice to the CST lab director, CST lab manager, and CST lab technical director, and lead testers, and can represent the CST to CMVP and CST customers.
Requirements:
Minimum Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
At least 4 years working at a CST validation laboratory or demonstrate highly advanced knowledge in the subject area.
CVP certification is not required for this role due to inconsistent availability of testing, however, a Senior FIPS Security Engineer is expected to be capable of passing the CVP exam when available.
Possess sound knowledge of IT security concepts and familiarity with the CST technical procedures and the validation methodologies employed by the CST.
Responsibilities include:
Advanced FIPS knowledge (Subject Matter Expert)
Mentor junior testers, as needed
Coordinate all tasks with the laboratory manager
Provide weekly project status reports to the laboratory manager to include hours spent, schedule, milestone completion, resource balancing, etc.
Act as project lead tester, as assigned by the laboratory manager
Be the client facing technical POC
Be the POC for receiving vendor equipment and coordinate receiving with the CSTL AT&E Infrastructure Manager
Coordinate appropriate project status with the project manager, as needed
Coordinate project status with the CST lab manager prior to any travel plan
Delegate and supervise all test activities performed by junior testers the laboratory manager assigns
Manage the hours spent by all testers and supporting staff to ensure the project remains within the budgeted hours provided by the laboratory manager
Manage project schedule and milestones to ensure that the project remains on schedule
Manage scope creep and involve the laboratory manager as needed
Provide expert knowledge of the overall product, time quality, and task performance for junior staff
Provide weekly formal project status reports to clients to include schedule and milestone completion (frequency and format may change depending on contract terms)
Check and verify all work performed by junior testers
Understands and complies with the verification and validation of test methods and procedures
Analyze results, including statements of conformity and any applicable opinions and interpretations.
Perform technical quality reviews of final test reports assigned by the CST laboratory manager
Lead algorithm generation and verification testing activities using the Cryptographic Algorithm Validation System (CAVS) and the Automated Cryptographic Validation Testing System (ACVTS) and be proficient in algorithm submissions
Lead design reviews
Lead, review, and finalize compliance analysis
Lead source code reviews
Lead failure testing
Lead operational testing
Lead testing activities
Finalize CRYPTIK sections
Lead physical testing
Finalize Physical Testing Reports
Finalize Design Review Form (DRF) and onsite test plans
Review and generate final reports
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Original Posting:
September 10, 2026For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
