CSD jobs in Fort Meade, MD
Cryptographic Security Designer (CSD)
Cryptographic algorithms, key management, cryptanalytic studies, and secure implementation guidance for cleared mission systems.
Apply for this RoleGS Consulting Environment
Securing the Math Under the Mission
At GS Consulting, cryptographic security is not treated as a black box. The algorithms, key management choices, and implementation details matter because they sit underneath the systems that protect sensitive mission data.
This role is built for people who can reason deeply about cryptographic design and still understand how that design has to survive operational use. You will help customers evaluate cryptographic approaches, improve fielded logic, and guide secure integration into information assurance systems.
The Work
What the Role Looks Like Day to Day
CSD work usually starts with a hard design question. Is the cryptographic approach sound? Does the key management model fit the mission? Will the implementation remain efficient and secure under real operating conditions? What projected threat should change the design now?
A typical day may include reviewing cryptographic logic, developing algorithms, evaluating key management techniques, conducting mathematical or cryptanalytic studies, documenting findings, and advising engineers on secure implementation choices.
Mission and Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
Our CSDs help shape cryptographic security for complex information assurance systems. Depending on your LCAT level, you will be expected to:
- Provide cryptographic principles and key management techniques for the design of complex information assurance systems.
- Explore, develop, and test new cryptographic algorithms, principles, and efficient methods for operational implementation.
- Conduct advanced cryptographic mathematical and cryptanalytic studies against proposed and existing security architectures.
- Analyze and redesign fielded cryptographic logic to adapt to emerging and projected threats.
- Provide expert design guidance during development of information assurance systems to support secure and efficient integration of cryptographic techniques.
Technical Domains
Required Technical Domains
Successful Cryptographic Security Designers at GS Consulting need practical experience across several of the following theoretical and applied domains:
- Cryptographic algorithm development and implementation
- Key management architecture and techniques
- Cryptographic mathematical and cryptanalytic studies
- Information assurance system design
- Security standards and operational compliance engineering
- Fielded cryptographic logic analysis and redesign
- Secure integration of cryptographic techniques
Preferred Degree Fields
Preferred degree fields are Mathematics, Engineering, or Computer Science from an accredited institution. This is a deeply quantitative role, so practical cryptographic, mathematical, algorithmic, or systems security experience matters.
Tools and Mission Context
Cryptography Has To Work in the System, Not Just on Paper
Cryptographic Security Designers use mathematics, algorithms, key management models, security standards, cryptanalytic findings, and implementation constraints to guide the design of information assurance systems.
The work requires rigor and practical judgment. A strong CSD can analyze the cryptographic foundation, explain the risk, and help engineers integrate a solution that protects the mission without creating an unusable system.
Compensation
Estimated Compensation Range
Estimated compensation for Cryptographic Security Designer roles ranges from $120,000 to $250,000 per year. Final compensation depends on CSD level, years of relevant experience, clearance status, customer requirements, contract fit, and location expectations.
The range is intentionally broad because this posting covers Levels 2 through 4. Senior CSDs are trusted with deeper mathematical analysis, more complex key management decisions, and stronger ownership of cryptographic design guidance.
Qualification Paths
LCAT Qualification Paths
We are actively staffing billets across CSD levels 2 through 4. Relevant experience should connect to cryptographic design, algorithm development, key management, cryptanalytic studies, mathematics, engineering, computer science, information assurance system design, or related mission work.
Level 2
- Associate Degree plus 7 years of experience
- Bachelor Degree plus 5 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 3 years of experience
- Doctorate plus 0 years of experience
Level 3
- Associate Degree plus 10 years of experience
- Bachelor Degree plus 8 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 6 years of experience
- Doctorate plus 4 years of experience
Level 4
- Associate Degree plus 13 years of experience
- Bachelor Degree plus 11 years of experience
- Master Degree plus 9 years of experience
- Doctorate plus 7 years of experience
Career Growth
How CSDs Grow Across Levels
Growth in this role comes from deeper cryptographic judgment, stronger mathematical analysis, better implementation guidance, and the ability to anticipate how emerging threats change design choices. Senior CSDs are trusted because they can protect the cryptographic foundation before it becomes a system weakness.
At GS Consulting, CSD growth can lead deeper into cryptographic design, information assurance system architecture, key management strategy, secure implementation guidance, or broader technical advisory work.
Why GS Consulting
A Smaller Team That Respects Technical Depth
GS Consulting takes a direct approach to cleared mission support. We care whether the person in the seat can understand the cryptographic problem, explain the risk, and help the customer make the stronger design decision.
CSD work is not generic security architecture. It takes quantitative discipline, implementation awareness, and the ability to connect mathematical rigor with systems that have to operate under real mission pressure.
Role Questions
Cryptographic Security Designer FAQ
What does a Cryptographic Security Designer do?
A Cryptographic Security Designer develops and evaluates cryptographic approaches for complex information assurance systems. The role includes algorithm development, key management design, cryptographic mathematical studies, cryptanalytic analysis, fielded logic review, and design guidance for secure integration into mission systems.
What clearance is required for GS Consulting CSD roles?
GS Consulting Cryptographic Security Designer roles require an active TS/SCI clearance. Candidates must also be able to meet customer, contract, and site access requirements for the specific billet. If additional customer screening is required, that will be handled during recruiting rather than posted as public qualification language.
What are the CSD levels 2, 3, and 4?
CSD levels reflect increasing cryptographic depth, mathematical judgment, and design responsibility. Level 2 ranges from 0 to 7 years of relevant experience depending on education path. Level 3 ranges from 4 to 10 years. Level 4 ranges from 7 to 13 years. Relevant experience should involve cryptographic design, algorithm development, key management, cryptanalytic studies, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or information assurance system design.
How is a CSD different from an ISSD?
A CSD focuses specifically on cryptographic algorithms, key management, mathematical analysis, cryptanalytic studies, and secure cryptographic integration. An Information System Security Designer focuses more broadly on security architecture, customer advising, system functionality, and implementation tradeoffs. The CSD role is narrower, deeper, and more quantitative.
What degree fields are preferred for Cryptographic Security Designer candidates?
Preferred degree fields for Cryptographic Security Designer candidates are Mathematics, Engineering, or Computer Science from an accredited institution. This role has deep quantitative requirements, so candidates should show practical cryptographic, mathematical, algorithmic, or systems security experience alongside the degree path.
What skills make a strong Cryptographic Security Designer candidate?
Strong candidates understand cryptographic algorithms, key management, cryptographic mathematics, cryptanalysis, information assurance system design, secure implementation, and operational compliance constraints. The best CSDs can reason deeply about cryptographic security while still helping engineers implement practical solutions.
What does a Cryptographic Security Designer earn?
Estimated compensation for GS Consulting Cryptographic Security Designer roles ranges from $120,000 to $250,000 per year. Final compensation depends on CSD level, years of relevant experience, clearance status, customer requirements, contract fit, and location expectations.
Are these CSD jobs onsite?
Yes. These Cryptographic Security Designer positions support work in the Fort Meade, MD and Annapolis Junction area. Because the work is tied to cleared government facilities, sensitive systems, and customer mission requirements, candidates should expect onsite work rather than a remote arrangement.
How do I apply for GS Consulting CSD roles?
Use the Apply for this Role button on this page or email your resume directly to info@gsconsultingllc.com. Include your active clearance level, cryptographic design or mathematical security experience, degree background, and the CSD level you believe matches your background.
Ready to design the algorithms?
Send us your resume. Please include your active clearance level, cryptographic design or mathematical security experience, degree background, and the specific CSD level you are targeting.