Cryptographic Security Testing Lab Director

Leidos is seeking an experienced Cryptographic Security Testing Lab Director to lead our Cryptographic Security Testing Laboratory (CSTL) within the Accredited Testing and Evaluation (AT&E) organization.

With more than 20 years of experience, Leidos' CSTL is one of the world's leading laboratories specializing in FIPS 140 cryptographic security testing and certification. Our work helps ensure the security of commercial technologies used in national defense and other mission-critical environments.

This is an opportunity to lead a highly skilled technical team, shape laboratory strategy, collaborate with industry and government stakeholders, and advance cryptographic security testing in support of national security.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide overall technical, operational, and organizational leadership for the CSTL, including staff development, hiring, resource allocation, and performance management.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term strategies supporting laboratory growth, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
• Maintain laboratory accreditation and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, NIST Handbook 150, and applicable NIST requirements, including leading technical preparations for biennial accreditation assessments.
• Oversee quality assurance, testing processes, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure accurate, reliable, and consistent laboratory results.
• Serve as the principal liaison with NIST, CMVP, and CAVP, representing Leidos in management meetings, workshops, and accreditation activities.
• Act as an authorized laboratory signatory for applicable NIST/CMVP activities.
• Lead customer engagement, technical consultations, issue resolution, and business development, including scoping new testing and certification opportunities.
• Manage laboratory execution to meet customer expectations, project schedules, scope, and budgets.
• Represent Leidos at relevant industry conferences and events, including the International Cryptographic Module Conference (ICMC).

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of cryptographic security experience involving FIPS 140, including at least 2 years in a Cryptographic Security Testing Laboratory management role.
• Expert knowledge of FIPS 140 testing, validation, and certification requirements.
• CVP certification and demonstrated experience with ISO/IEC 17025 and NIST Handbook 150 compliance.
• Established working relationships with NIST and the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP).
• Demonstrated ability to execute all phases of a FIPS 140-3 full submission, including associated consulting activities.
• Strong understanding of cryptographic algorithms and technologies, including encryption, key exchange, hashing, message authentication, PKI, and random number generation.
• Knowledge of security protocols such as SSH, IPsec, and TLS.
• Experience with programming languages such as C, C++, Python, or Java.
• Proven ability to lead large technical teams in a fast-paced commercial environment, establish technical direction, and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication, interpersonal, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related technical discipline.
• Experience with financial management, budgeting, and laboratory business operations.
• Strong proposal development and technical writing skills.

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:

November 12, 2026

For 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 $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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.