Principal Cryptography Engineer – Blockchain Specialist

As a Principal Cryptography Engineer at MITRE, you lead research and development focused on cryptographic foundations as they apply to blockchain and distributed ledger technology. You work within the Cryptography, ICAM and System Assurance department, a multidisciplinary team driving innovation in cryptography, software assurance, identity and access management, and trustworthy AI. Your work directly supports U.S. government agencies in architecting and deploying modern cryptography and post-quantum cryptography technologies to secure systems, software, and protocols.

What you'll do

• Lead projects and R&D focused on cryptographic foundations applied to blockchain, understanding distributed ledger technology, digital assets, cryptocurrency, and Web3 ecosystems
• Understand and analyze DeFi, DAOs and governance structures, smart contracts, and other tokenized or digital asset concepts
• Lead efforts to identify vulnerabilities, threats, and risks that may compromise digital asset ecosystems
• Develop actionable frameworks and plans to safeguard digital asset ecosystems
• Provide thought leadership on MITRE blockchain and cryptography research
• Serve as a digital assets subject matter expert leading trainings and educational sessions for internal teams and sponsors

What you bring

• 10+ years of work experience with a Bachelor's Degree, 7 years with a Master's Degree, or 5+ years with a PhD
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in zero knowledge cryptography, threshold cryptography, and post-quantum cryptography
• Experience in cybersecurity applied to cryptocurrencies and digital assets, including key management concepts, KYC understanding, on-chain analysis, and consensus protocols
• Demonstrable technical program or project management experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with sound technical judgment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results and collaborate across teams
• Ability to work effectively in secure and classified environments
• Availability for a minimum of 3 days per week on-site

Nice to have

• A degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field
• Broad exposure to cryptography and applied methods
• Knowledge of Internet and network engineering
• Experience applying cryptographic standards and guidelines in real-world deployed systems
• Top Secret (TS) clearance eligibility

What we offer

• Salary range of $172,800-$259,200 annually
• On-site work location
• Competitive benefits (details available on MITRE's careers site)

About MITRE

MITRE is a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. The company operates federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies, collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated solutions that advance national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services.