Cryptographic Subject Matter Expert

Configuration Management

Location: Manchester, 3 days on site.

Contract: Initial contract until 30 November 2026

Rate: 550-650 (Inside IR35)

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Cryptographic Subject Matter Expert (SME) to join a high-performing technology and security team supporting critical enterprise cryptographic services. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a complex, highly regulated environment, ensuring the integrity, security, and availability of cryptographic infrastructure across multiple business-critical platforms.

The successful candidate will play a key role in managing cryptographic hardware, key management services, PKI, certificates, HSMs, and security governance while supporting strategic security initiatives and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and support enterprise cryptographic infrastructure and key management services.
• Configure, install and maintain Hardware Security Modules (HSMs).
• Generate and manage cryptographic key components across multiple platforms including IBM, Tandem and Unix environments.
• Administer SSH key management and enterprise certificate lifecycle management.
• Ensure the integrity, availability and security of cryptographic services supporting business applications.
• Manage incidents, problems and changes in accordance with ITIL best practices.
• Produce operational documentation, management reports and audit evidence.
• Maintain accurate configuration records and documentation.
• Support project delivery and continuous service improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders, service management and security teams to deliver services within agreed SLAs.
• Ensure compliance with security policies, governance frameworks and regulatory requirements.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Commercial experience working within Cryptography or Information Security.
• Strong understanding of cryptographic principles and enterprise key management.
• Experience managing Hardware Security Modules (HSMs).
• Knowledge of PKI, certificate management and SSH key management.
• ITIL Foundation certification.
• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within enterprise IT Security environments.
• Industry-recognised security certifications.
• Project Management qualifications.
• Experience with SharePoint, Confluence and Jira.
• Unix and Windows administration experience.
• Knowledge of privacy, compliance and data protection frameworks.
• Experience producing operational documentation and maintaining technical standards.
• Strong understanding of incident response, release management and change management.

Technical Environment

Experience with the following technologies would be highly advantageous:

• HSM Vendors: Thales (preferred), Entrust, Gemalto
• Key Management: Enterprise key lifecycle management, HSM-backed solutions
• PKI: Enterprise PKI, Certificate Management, SSH Key Management
• Cryptography: Application, database, platform and distributed system encryption
• Automation: Python scripting and operational automation
• Governance: Risk & Controls, Audit, CISO-led security environments
• Vendor Technologies: Thales, Entrust, Cryptomathic and similar solutions