Associate Director - Post Quantum Cryptography

Job Description

The Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Program Lead will lead the enterprise-wide strategy, planning, execution, and governance of the organization's transition to quantum-resistant cryptographic technologies. This role is responsible for establishing and driving a multi-year cryptographic modernization program that identifies, inventories, assesses, and remediates cryptographic systems vulnerable to quantum computing threats.

This is a hybrid role based in Rahway NJ or West Point, PA (3 days/ week in office).

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the enterprise Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) strategy, roadmap, and implementation plan.

• Lead a multi-year enterprise cryptographic modernization initiative.

• Define program objectives, milestones, KPIs, risk metrics, and success criteria.

• Provide executive-level updates on organizational readiness, risks, and remediation progress.

• Align PQC initiatives with enterprise security, cloud, application modernization, and infrastructure strategies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field

• Minimum five years experience managing cross-functional initiatives involving multiple business and technical stakeholders.

• Strong working knowledge of: Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), encryption, key management, cryptographic protocols and standards

• Previous experience with cryptographic discovery and inventory initiatives

• Deep knowledge of NIST standards and how they apply to PQC

• Proven ability to lead large-scale programs across many business units

Required Skills:

Application Modernization, Asset Management, Benefits Management, Encryption, Management System Development, NIST Standards, Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), Product Management, Product Roadmap, Public Key Infrastructure, Quantum Computing, Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Physics, Requirements Management, Roadmapping, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, System Designs

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

08/4/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.