(664) Senior Authorizing Official Designated Representative (AODR)/SSE

Position Overview

The Department of War’s (DoW) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) is at the forefront of supporting the DoW with the adoption of innovative technologies such as data, analytics, and artificial intelligence to help accelerate predictions, forecasts, and interpretations for both strategic and tactical decisions across the enterprise. These ground-breaking endeavors bring new challenges to the assessment of DoW IT systems that previously did not exist.

The Senior Authorizing Official Designated Representative (AODR)/SSE will act on behalf of the CDAO Authorizing Official (AO) to carry out and coordinate the required activities associated with security authorization. This role will also focus on ensuring thorough system security engineering is carried out within each capability seeking authorization. The AODR/SSE plays a pivotal role in comprehensively understanding the cybersecurity posture of a given capability within CDAO. The AODR/SSE must go beyond a mere compliance focus on controls to articulate the inherent risks of CDAO capabilities. Success in this position requires expertise in statutory guidance such as the NIST 800 series including SP 800-160, DoDI 5000.88, DoDI 8500.01, DoD 8140.03, ISO 27001, COBIT, DoD RMF, and Operation Vulcan Logic (OVL), along with current cybersecurity best practices. In addition, success in this role requires strong networking fundamentals and the ability to understand and interpret network and system architecture diagrams/topologies to assess security impacts across the environment. The AODR/SSE should also possess foundational knowledge of cloud technologies, architecture, and a working understanding of DevSecOps practices and CI/CD pipelines to evaluate how security is integrated into modern delivery and operational processes.

The Senior AODR/SSE will partner with the CRA to provide authoritative risk determinations and recommendations critical for the Authorizing Official (AO) to grant an Authority to Operate (ATO). Their input will integrate technical rigor with regulatory compliance, ensuring a robust security posture and informing strategic decision-making.

Work Location: Hybrid. Candidates in the Washington DC Metropolitan area preferred. Travel requirements will vary with location, however, expect approximately 20% to 30%. Government may request additional office time as needed.

Clearance: Active TS with SCI Eligibility

Job Responsibilities:

• Work with Programs to develop a comprehensive System Security Engineering (SSE) Body of Evidence (BOE) including artifacts such as Cybersecurity Strategy (CCS), System Security Plan (SSP), Concept of Operations (CONOPS), Incident Response Plan (IRP), Cyber Technology Orders, and Cybersecurity Plans.
• Provide senior advisory support to CDAO AO regarding authorizations of CDAO capabilities.
• Utilize expert knowledge and experience regarding risk management strategies in support of a major DoD program.
• Provides cloud security architecture and DoD compliance advisory support.
• Using excerpt knowledge and experience to provide Risk Management strategies.
• Evaluate threats and vulnerabilities to determine whether additional safeguards are needed.
• Collaborate between the AO and the program as well as CDAO senior leadership (focusing on creating metrics, tracking authorizations, etc.)
• Provide independent risk analysis and recommendation on the risk as well as the authorization.
• Providing support regarding the agile authorization and OVL processes.
• Collaborate between the AO and the ISSM as well as Program leadership.
• Identify the security baseline based on the mission and security impacts to the system.
• Determine assessment criteria, develop, review, and create a plan to assess the security requirements.
• Develop strategies and briefing materials identifying, evaluating, and mitigating potential risks that may impact the organization's operations, assets, or reputation utilizing Systems Security Engineering principles.
• Author and present briefs regarding status of authorizations to AO and other senior Government officials.
• Provides security architecture and DoD compliance advisory support.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Success Factors:

• Have a strong background in information system security engineering.
• Strong clients focus and commitment to continuous improvement, ability to proactively network and establish relationships.
• Manage multiple priorities in a high-paced and fast-changing environment.
• Proactively remove roadblocks and solves complex problems by quickly identifying root causes, aligning stakeholders, and driving practical solutions to keep mission-critical work on track.
• Experience supporting and assessing risks within a CI/CD DevSecOps environment.
• Key areas of experience would include data mesh, data orchestration, control gates review, and vulnerability management within a pipeline.
• Expansive knowledge with integrating IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS offerings into government cloud environments (i.e. AWS, AZURE & GCP).
• Experience would include cloud compute, cloud storage, cloud native solutions, cloud data transfer, Cross Domain Solutions, and cloud networking.
• Experience assessing STIGs, Cloud Compliance Guides, Shares responsibility models, and System Mission Owner responsibilities within Government Cloud Environments.
• Experience working with OSD leadership or Military component or branch.
• Expert understanding of NIST 800 series guidelines, DoDI 8500.01, DoD 8140.03, rISO 27001, COBIT, DoD RMF, OVL, and current cybersecurity best practices.
• Excellent communication/presentation skills briefing senior military and government civilian leadership.
• Experienced with writing policies, guides, procedures.
• Experience in hands on with eMASS, Xacta and/or other GRC tools.
• Experience with Federal and FedRamp A&A Processes.
• Experienced and comfortable advising at the Senior Executive Service (SES) level of customers.

Education and Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have an active TS Clearance SCI eligible.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science/information technology, or other related degree fields (master’s degree is preferred or at least 10 years of related experience)
• At least 10+ years of cybersecurity experience including a senior technical or management role, Project or Program Management experience a plus.
• At least one IAT/IAM or equivalent security certifications ex. CISSP, CCSP, CISM, CISA, or CASP or requisite work experience.