Description

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

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

September 10, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The 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.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

#Remote