COMSEC Engineer
Client: United States Marine Corps (USMC) - Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA)
Location: On-Site – Camp Pendleton, California
Employment Type: Full-Time
Security Clearance: Active Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance
Duration: 4-5 years
Travel: As required to support test and engineering events
Position Summary
We are seeking a Communications Security (COMSEC) Engineer to support technical testing, engineering, network configuration, and performance analysis activities. The selected candidate will work with Controlled Cryptographic Items, network encryption equipment, routing and switching technologies, test instrumentation, virtualisation platforms, and scripting tools in support of COMSEC-related test and engineering events.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, design, and manage mission plans using Controlled Cryptographic Item (CCI) planning software.
- Troubleshoot COMSEC issues during test and engineering events, estimated at one to two events per month.
- Configure Layer 3 network devices for Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), tunnelling, and secure communications.
- Configure and troubleshoot routing protocols, including:
- Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP)
- Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
- Similar dynamic routing protocols
- Configure Layer 2 devices to support network segmentation.
- Operate traffic generators and network analysers during test activities.
- Implement and use virtualisation technologies to support engineering and test environments.
- Conduct Inline Network Encryptor testing and collect performance metrics.
- Operate and maintain Simple Key Loader and Tactical Key Loader devices.
- Develop and use scripts and automation tools to support:
- Data collection and reduction
- Model and algorithm design
- Automated collection and analysis
- Event logging
- Network monitoring and troubleshooting
- Use tools and scripting environments such as IXIA, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, and PowerShell.
- Perform network throughput and performance testing across Layers 1 through 4 of the network stack.
- Test radio networks using tools such as IXIA, Spirent, iPerf, and T-BERD.
- Physically and logically connect data-collection devices within network test architectures.
- Support time synchronisation of test and data-collection equipment and report synchronisation issues.
- Lift and move radio or networking equipment weighing approximately 40 pounds.
Required Technical Skills
- Hands-on experience with COMSEC equipment, Controlled Cryptographic Items, or secure communications systems.
- Experience configuring Layer 2 and Layer 3 network devices.
- Knowledge of IPsec, tunnelling, network segmentation, EIGRP, and OSPF.
- Experience with Inline Network Encryptors.
- Experience operating network analysers, traffic generators, and network performance-testing tools.
- Understanding of network performance testing from the physical layer through the transport layer.
- Experience with virtualisation technologies.
- Experience with at least one scripting or automation technology, preferably Python or PowerShell.
- Ability to collect, analyse, and document technical test data.
- Ability to troubleshoot COMSEC hardware, software, network, and radio communication issues.
- Ability to work effectively during scheduled test and engineering events.
Required Ability to Perform the Technical Tasks
The individual must be capable of performing duties including:
- COMSEC planning software
- Troubleshooting COMSEC equipment
- IPSEC and routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP)
- Traffic generators and network analysers
- SKL/TKL operation
- Python, PowerShell, MATLAB, LabVIEW, IXIA scripting
- Throughput testing
- Network performance analysis
- Lifting approximately 40 lbs. of equipment
Preferred Experience
- Experience with IXIA, Spirent, iPerf, or T-BERD test equipment.
- Experience with MATLAB or LabVIEW.
- Experience operating SKL or TKL devices.
- Experience conducting Inline Network Encryptor performance testing.
- Experience supporting radio-network or Department of Defense test environments.
Why Join Akytech
At Akytech Consulting, you'll help transform how Federal agencies collaborate, manage information, and deliver digital services. As a Senior SharePoint Developer, you'll work with cutting-edge Microsoft 365 technologies to build secure, scalable collaboration platforms that directly support the U.S. Department of Commerce's mission. You'll collaborate with experienced cloud engineers, architects, and business stakeholders while contributing to enterprise modernisation initiatives that deliver measurable mission impact.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Akytech Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. We recruit, hire, and promote qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Application Question(s):
- Do you currently hold an active Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance?
- Do you have hands-on experience working with COMSEC equipment, Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI), or secure communications systems?
- Do you have experience configuring Layer 2 and Layer 3 network devices, including IPsec, OSPF, and EIGRP?
- Have you operated or supported Inline Network Encryptors (INEs), Simple Key Loaders (SKL), or Tactical Key Loaders (TKL)?
- Do you have experience using Python, PowerShell, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar scripting/automation tools?
- Have you performed network performance testing using tools such as IXIA, Spirent, iPerf, or T-BERD?
Experience:
- COMSEC (Communications Security): 5 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
