COMSEC Test Engineer (CTE)
Location: Chantilly, VA | On-Site
Clearance: Active TS/SCI with CI Polygraph Required
Who We Are
Aurex is a mission-focused aerospace and defense company building the next frontier of deterrence. From hypersonics and missile defense to hardened networks and orbital systems, we design, test, and deliver the platforms that turn unproven ideas into battlefield-ready capability.
Born in Huntsville and built for speed, Aurex brings together aerospace veterans, combat-tested operators, and forward-leaning technologists to solve problems that matter—fast. We move from whiteboard to warfighter with precision, clarity, and zero tolerance for fluff.
Your Role
Aurex is seeking a COMSEC Test Engineer (CTE) to support the integration, test, troubleshooting, and operational validation of secure communications systems supporting mission-critical space and terrestrial architectures.
In this role, you will work hands-on with Communications Security (COMSEC) equipment, encryption devices, secure communications hardware, and associated software configurations to ensure systems are properly installed, configured, tested, and ready for operational use.
The ideal candidate brings practical COMSEC experience, a strong understanding of secure communications architectures and protocols, and the ability to troubleshoot complex hardware, software, and network integration issues in highly secure environments.
What You'll Do
• Integrate COMSEC Systems: Support the installation, configuration, integration, and checkout of COMSEC equipment within secure space and terrestrial communications architectures.
• Execute System Testing: Develop, perform, and document functional, integration, and operational testing to verify COMSEC equipment and associated systems meet technical and security requirements.
• Operate Secure Communications Equipment: Configure and operate COMSEC devices and supporting hardware/software in accordance with approved procedures and system specifications.
• Troubleshoot Complex Issues: Perform fault isolation and root-cause analysis across hardware, software, interfaces, and communications paths to identify and resolve system issues.
• Perform Functional Validation: Conduct functional checkouts and verification activities following installation, configuration changes, maintenance, or system upgrades.
• Support System Readiness: Identify technical risks, integration issues, and system deficiencies that could impact operational readiness and work with engineering teams to drive resolution.
• Collaborate Across Engineering Teams: Work closely with systems, network, cybersecurity, integration, and test personnel to resolve issues across interconnected secure communications environments.
• Document Test Results: Capture test procedures, configurations, discrepancies, troubleshooting activities, and results to support verification, acceptance, and operational readiness.
What You'll Bring
Required Qualifications
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility/access and a current Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph .
• Hands-on experience with the installation, configuration, operation, integration, or testing of COMSEC equipment .
• Experience working with encryption devices and secure communications systems in classified or mission-critical environments.
• Working knowledge of communications and network protocols used within secure terrestrial and/or space-based architectures.
• Experience performing system integration, functional checkout, verification, troubleshooting, or test activities involving hardware and software.
• Ability to diagnose technical issues across interconnected hardware, software, networking, and communications components.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, system specifications, interface requirements, test procedures, and engineering drawings.
• Strong technical communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, mission-focused engineering environment.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience supporting space systems, satellite communications, ground systems, or other national security space architectures .
• Experience with Type 1 encryption devices, cryptographic equipment, keying infrastructure, or associated COMSEC technologies .
• Familiarity with secure network architectures, data flows, interfaces, and communications paths.
• Experience developing or executing test plans, test procedures, verification activities, and discrepancy resolution .
• Experience working directly with government customers, system integrators, or engineering teams in classified environments.
How You Will Be Rewarded
The salary range for this role is 100,000 – 210,000 annually. We offer a comprehensive total rewards approach to compensation, providing incentives and benefits that extend far beyond the base salary. Compensation is determined by the candidate’s work experience, education, training, and relevant skills. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' health, well-being, and professional growth.
The posted salary range represents Aurex’s good-faith estimate of the anticipated hiring range for this position. The specific salary offered within this range will be determined based on the candidate’s relevant experience, education, training, and job-related qualifications.
Location: Multiple locations / Chantilly, VA
Aurex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It prohibits discrimination, retaliation, or any type of harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, citizenship, immigration status, or any other legally protected status in employment, including in hiring, firing, and recruiting decisions. All applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States for positions at Aurex. There may be limited circumstances in which a law, regulation, executive order, or government contract would require certain citizenship; only in those limited circumstances would Aurex require certain citizenship status to comply with the relevant law, regulation, executive order, or government contract applicable to that position. For all other positions, Aurex does not consider an applicant’s citizenship but only requires that the applicant be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. If a position is one that falls under export control laws and regulations requiring authorization from the U.S. government to access export-controlled items, any hiring is contingent on the applicant passing the export compliance assessment, which is separate from the I-9 process, for that specific position. A background check will be required prior to any hire.
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