... manufacturing process from research and development, design, engineering, production and ... Maintain a deep understanding of QKD, quantum-safe cryptography, optical networking, and ...
... manufacturing process from research and development, design, engineering, production and ... Maintain a deep understanding of QKD, quantum-safe cryptography, optical networking, and ...
Director Cryptography Researcher information
See Spring, TX salary details
$25.8K - $41.9K
1% of jobs
$52.7K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$41.9K - $57.9K
35% of jobs
$57.9K - $74K
10% of jobs
The median wage is $90K / yr.
$74K - $90K
3% of jobs
$90K - $106.1K
8% of jobs
$106.1K - $122.2K
5% of jobs
$122.2K - $138.2K
7% of jobs
$144.1K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$138.2K - $154.3K
11% of jobs
$154.3K - $170.3K
10% of jobs
$170.3K - $186.4K
4% of jobs
$186.4K - $202.5K
3% of jobs
$25.8K
$104.6K
$202.4K
How much do director cryptography researcher jobs pay per year?
What is the difference between Director Cryptography Researcher vs Cryptography Researcher?
| Aspect | Director Cryptography Researcher | Cryptography Researcher |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Advanced degrees (M.S., Ph.D.), security certifications often preferred | Similar educational background, often with certifications like CISSP or GIAC |
| Work Environment | Leadership role overseeing teams, strategic planning | Hands-on research, development, and analysis |
| Industry Usage | Used in organizations with large security teams, R&D departments | Common in research labs, security firms, tech companies |
| Search & Comparison Intent | Understanding leadership vs technical roles in cryptography | Clarifying technical research vs managerial positions |
The main difference between a Director Cryptography Researcher and a Cryptography Researcher lies in their responsibilities. The director focuses on leadership, strategic planning, and overseeing research teams, while the researcher is primarily engaged in technical research and development. Both roles require strong credentials and industry experience, but their focus areas and work environments differ significantly.

Full-time
Posted 28 days ago
Job description
Position Overview
The Sales Director for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) leads the strategic commercial expansion of the company's quantum-secure communications portfolio. This executive role is responsible for defining market strategy, driving revenue growth, and developing high-value customer relationships. This role also focuses on market expansion, partnerships, and early-stage customer engagement, working closely with Sales, Product Management, and R&D to drive long-term revenue growth. The ideal candidate brings a balance of deep technical aptitude in quantum-secure networking and proven executive-level sales leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Growth
- Develop and own the North America sales strategy for QKD and quantum-secure networking solutions.
- Establish revenue targets, forecast sales performance, and drive execution to exceed financial goals.
- Identify and prioritize high-growth markets including telecommunications carriers, government/defense agencies, financial institutions, cloud and data center providers, and critical infrastructure operators.
- Identify and evaluate new business opportunities for QKD and quantum-secure networking solutions.
- Develop business cases and entry strategies for new markets, regions, or use cases.
- Create market expansion plans that include strategic partnerships, channel development, and ecosystem alignment.
Sales Leadership
- Lead, develop, and mentor technical sales resources.
- Build a high-performance culture centered around operational excellence, customer success, and continuous improvement.
- Implement structured sales processes, KPIs, and pipeline management methodologies.
Executive-Level Customer Engagement
- Build strong relationships with C-suite customers, senior technical leaders, procurement executives, and government stakeholders.
- Lead major deal negotiations, enterprise proposals, and multi-year contract discussions.
- Drive adoption of QKD and quantum-safe solutions through consultative selling and long-term strategic planning with customers.
- Engage with prospective customers to understand use cases and adoption drivers.
- Assist in defining PoC's and pilot projects in collaboration with Engineering.
Technical & Market Expertise
- Maintain a deep understanding of QKD, quantum-safe cryptography, optical networking, and cybersecurity trends.
- Translate cutting-edge quantum technologies into clear business value, differentiation, and ROI messaging.
- Monitor and influence the evolving landscape of standards, regulations, and industry frameworks related to quantum security.
Cross-Functional Influence
- Collaborate closely with overseas QKD staff to shape the product roadmap based on market needs and customer insights.
- Work with Marketing to develop campaigns, thought leadership content, and industry positioning.
- Support customer pilots, PoC's, and deployment planning through coordination with engineering teams.
Industry Engagement & Ecosystem Development
- Represent the company at conferences, industry consortiums, and customer events.
- Build strategic partnerships with telecommunications vendors, integrators, and technology alliances to strengthen market position.
- Advocate for quantum-safe communication adoption and educate the market on emerging threats and solutions.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related field.
- 10+ years of experience in enterprise technology sales, including 5+ years in senior leadership roles.
- Proven success leading sales organizations selling high-complexity solutions (e.g., cybersecurity, optical networking, telecom infrastructure, quantum technologies).
- Strong executive communication, negotiation, and customer relationship capabilities.
- Experience managing large deals, long sales cycles, and multi-stakeholder enterprise or government sales.
- Ability to articulate highly technical solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Preferred
- Experience in QKD, quantum technologies, or advanced cryptographic products.
- Existing network in telecom, defense, finance, or critical infrastructure sectors.
- Master's degree (MBA or technical equivalent).
- Familiarity with NIST PQC standards, ETSI QKD standards, and quantum-safe security compliance.
Key Competencies
- Strategic commercial leadership
- Deep technical aptitude
- Executive presence and communication
- High-value complex deal management
- Customer-centric approach
- Consultative selling mindset
- Market analysis & competitive insight
- Cross-functional influence
- Global mindset & cultural awareness
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.