Cryptanalyst / Crypto-Scientist (Various levels)
Job role overview
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Closing date
May 10, 2026
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Hiring location
Ontario Ottawa
Description
Join our team as a Cryptanalyst or Crypto-Scientist and work in a dynamic and innovative operational environment. At CSE, you'll apply your analytical and problem-solving skills to a variety of problems in support of the Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Cyber missions. You'll learn and apply advanced cryptanalytic and cryptographic techniques to defeat encryption or to design and evaluate cryptographic algorithms and protocols. You'll also help develop innovative tools, new techniques, and recommendations for a wide variety of clients.
Cryptanalysts and Crypto-Scientists at CSE perform one or more of the following functions:
- Contribute to operations by developing and maintaining decryption capabilities and using them to support Government of Canada Intelligence and Cyber Defense requirements.
- Conduct cryptologic research and design, and develop, assess, and attack cryptographic algorithms and protocols.
We're looking for passionate people from a variety of backgrounds who:
- have a blend of math and coding skills;
- have knowledge of and an interest in learning more about cryptography and cryptographic protocols;
- can breakdown technical documents (standards, protocol specifications or mathematical papers) into understandable pieces;
- are creative critical thinkers who love solving problems;
- are committed, resilient and tenacious in the face of adversity;
- want to be part of a great team that delivers results for the Government of Canada and Canadians.
Salary
To find out more about our salary scale, vacation allowances and benefits (health, dental and pension plans, etc.) visit the
Compensation
page on our website.
Area of selection
Open to Canadian citizens.
Location
Ottawa, Ontario in one of our
two accessible facilities
. Telework for a portion of the work week may be possible.
Conditions of employment
An Enhanced Top Secret (ETS) security clearance is a condition of employment that must be met before an offer can be made.
More information about
our hiring and security processes
can be found on our website.
Essential qualifications
In order to be considered, your cover letter must clearly explain how you meet the following education and experience requirements.
Education
You must have either one of the following:
- A university degree in a field related to the position, such as (but not limited to): Mathematics, Statistics, or Computer Science, Physics, Engineering with mathematics courses.
- An acceptable combination of education (i.e. college diploma, professional certification) in a field related to the position (as above), and relevant experience.
Note:
The educational program must be recognized in Canada, and you must be able to provide proof of education credentials. Students graduating within the next twelve months are eligible to apply.
Experience
- Experience coding using a language such as Python or C++.
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Experience in researching and analyzing diverse information to solve on complex issues
*
. - Experience presenting findings and recommendations to various stakeholders (e.g. peers, supervisors) verbally and in writing.
- Experience designing, programming or testing algorithms in a variety of domains such as algebra, discrete math, computational number theory, probability and statistics, combinatorics, or cryptography.
Note:
*
Examples of "complex issues" may include but are not limited to: a long-term project spanning multiple months, a thesis, a multidimension project with multiple partners or stakeholders, a project that sets a precedent or has a major impact on a business process.
Official language requirements
Various language requirements – English Essential or Bilingual (BBB)
-
English essential
means that the position is unilingual English. -
Bilingual
means that knowledge of both official languages (English and French) is required for the position. -
BBB
represents the proficiency level you must demonstrate in each of the language skills (reading, writing and oral interaction) for the bilingual position. For bilingual positions, second language evaluations will be scheduled for candidates who don't have valid language test results issued by the Government of Canada.
Find out more about
the language requirements
of positions.
Competencies
The following technical, behavioural and leadership competencies will be assessed at a later date. You do not need to include information about them in your application.
Technical competencies
- Knowledge and Application of a Field of Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics or Engineering
- Cryptography and Cryptanalysis
- Application Development
- Problem Formulation and Response
Behavioural competencies
- Cognitive thinking skills
- Interactive communication
- Accountability/autonomy (for UNMA-08 positions only)
Leadership competencies
- Change and innovation
- Collaboration
- Achieving results (for UNMA-08 positions only)
Assets
Assets are "nice-to-have" expertise and skills we're interested in. If you do have them, they may be used to identify which team you could best complement, or they may be invoked as a volume management strategy. Please demonstrate on your application if you meet or possess the asset education or asset experience listed below.
Asset education
- A graduate degree in a field related to the position, such as but not limited to Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering with mathematics.
Note:
The educational program must be recognized in Canada and you must be able to provide proof of education credentials. Students graduating within the next twelve months are eligible to apply.
Asset experience
- Experience with mathematical programming, including use of C, C++ or Python or software packages such as Sage, Maple, Mathematica;
- Experience with network protocols, and protocol analysis tools such as Wireshark;
- Experience in Cyber Security principles and practices;
- Experience in Software Reverse Engineering;
- Experience in post quantum cryptography and or quantum information theory;
Operational requirements
Overtime and standby duty may be required.
Interested in this job?
30 days left to apply