Senior Cyber Security SME

Mission 

As Sr Cyber Security SME you will own the compliance and accreditation path for Slingshot’s Talos platform and related systems. You will guide subcontractors, align primes and government stakeholders, and lead the full ATO process. This is a senior role with direct impact on program delivery. If ATO milestones are missed, programs cannot move forward. Your ability to combine security engineering depth, compliance mastery, and a can do mindset will determine mission success. 

What You Will Do 

• Serve as the senior security authority responsible for achieving and sustaining ATOs across cleared programs
• Own the full lifecycle of ATO packages including SSPs, POAMs, interim approvals, and final authorizations
• Draft, enforce, and oversee policies for CUI handling, classification marking, access enforcement, and boundary protections
• Ensure subcontractor compliance with NIST 800 171 and 53, CMMC 2.0, FedRAMP, and DoD RMF requirements
• Lead CIA triad assessments to protect classified environments
• Drive supply chain compliance through SBOM validation and EO 14028 and NIST 800 218 controls
• Represent Slingshot in TRBs, CCBs, and enclave or system boundary reviews as the senior security voice
• Partner directly with government ISSMs, DAOs, FSOs, primes, and subcontractors to maintain audit readiness
• Mentor engineering and compliance teams to embed secure by design practices across all cleared programs
• Provide executive level risk reporting and mitigation strategies to senior leadership and government partners
• Anticipate and resolve security roadblocks that could delay program delivery 

Required Qualifications 

• Active TS/SCI clearance (polygraph if applicable)
• U.S. Citizenship (no duals) 
• 10 plus years of experience in DoD, IC, or federal contractor security and compliance leadership roles
• Proven success leading ATO packages and securing approvals including ATO, IATO, ATT, and CtF in classified environments 
• Hands on background in security engineering and compliance with deep experience in enclave operations 
• In depth expertise with NIST 800 171 and 53, CMMC 2.0, DoD RMF, CNSSI 1253, and FedRAMP Moderate or High 
• Strong track record engaging primes, subcontractors, and government accreditation authorities 
• CISSP required with CISM, CAP, or GSLC preferred 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Advanced degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or related discipline 
• 12 plus years supporting cleared programs with ISSO, ISSE, or SME leadership experience 
• Accreditation experience spanning DoD, IC, DHS, and NASA environments 
• Familiarity with DISA STIGs, CIS Benchmarks, and cross domain solutions 
• Strong background in incident response, audit management, and cyber risk governance within classified programs 
• Advanced certifications such as CISSP ISSAP, CISM, CAP, GSLC, or equivalent 

Why This Role 

This is not an advisory position. It is a senior and business critical role. If ATO milestones are missed, mission delivery stops. You will be the security leader who ensures programs keep moving forward, protecting classified systems while enabling innovation in aerospace and defense. 

Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI

Citizenship: U.S. Citizen 

Reports To: Senior Director of Information Security and IT 

 

US-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following U.S. states: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OR, RI, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, and WI. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other U.S. states at this time.

Internationally-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following locations: United Kingdom. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other countries at this time.

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