Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM) Lead - Huntsville, Alabama

Davidson is distinguished in the aerospace and missile defense industry, in part, because of its excellence in hiring exceptional experts, engineers and software developers dedicated to delivering advanced, intelligent technology solutions in defense of our nation.

Position Summary

Davidsons Warfighter Integration (WFI) team is looking for a cyber security professional that moves at the speed of the mission-not just operating as an afterthought or administrative checkpoint. We are seeking an experienced Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM) Lead in Huntsville, Alabama to establish, lead, and oversee cybersecurity activities across a diverse portfolio of advanced defense programs and technologies.

This role will serve as the senior cybersecurity authority within WFI, leading the cyber team, shaping security processes, and ensuring systems achieve and maintain the authorizations required to operate in demanding Department of War environments. The ISSM Lead will oversee the development of Authority to Operate (ATO) and Authority to Connect (ATC) packages, manage cybersecurity risk throughout the system lifecycle, and serve as the primary interface with customers, Authorizing Officials, security stakeholders, and program leadership.

This is not a position focused solely on compliance documentation. The ISSM Lead will work directly with systems, software, network, DevSecOps, and integration teams to build cybersecurity into solutions from the beginning. WFI supports a fast-paced and evolving technology portfolio, giving this individual broad exposure to Command and Control, tactical networks, data fusion, cloud and edge computing, embedded systems, sensors, and other emerging warfighter technologies. The ideal candidate combines strong RMF expertise with the leadership, judgment, and communication skills required to turn cybersecurity requirements into executable engineering actions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee cybersecurity personnel, priorities, and activities across the WFI organization.
• Serve as the primary cybersecurity interface with customers, Authorizing Officials, assessors, program leadership, and external security stakeholders.
• Lead the development, submission, and maintenance of ATO and ATC packages.
• Establish and mature WFI cybersecurity processes, governance, and authorization strategies.
• Ensure systems comply with RMF, NIST, DISA, and customer-specific cybersecurity requirements.
• Coordinate security control implementation, evidence development, assessment activities, vulnerability management, and remediation.
• Integrate cybersecurity requirements into system architectures, software development, DevSecOps, testing, and deployment activities.
• Manage cybersecurity risks, POA&Ms, authorization status, and continuous monitoring across the WFI portfolio.
• Provide clear cybersecurity status, risks, recommendations, and decisions to program and executive leadership.
• Mentor and develop cybersecurity personnel while building a responsive, execution-focused cyber team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Eight or more years of cybersecurity or information assurance experience supporting DoD systems.
• Demonstrated experience serving as an ISSM, cybersecurity lead, or equivalent technical leadership role.
• Experience leading cybersecurity teams and coordinating activities across multiple programs or systems.
• Hands-on experience developing and managing RMF authorization packages through ATO and ATC approval.
• Strong knowledge of NIST RMF, NIST SP 800-53, DISA STIGs, vulnerability management, and continuous monitoring.
• Experience coordinating with Authorizing Officials, Security Control Assessors, customer cyber personnel, and engineering teams.
• Ability to translate cybersecurity requirements and risks into clear technical and programmatic actions.
• Strong communication, organization, leadership, and customer-interface skills.
• Active Secret clearance

Desired Qualifications

• Experience establishing or leading cybersecurity organizations, teams, or governance frameworks.
• Experience supporting RMF authorization for DoD software-intensive systems.
• Experience with Command and Control (C2), sensor integration, data fusion, tactical communications, or weapon systems.
• Experience with cloud, embedded, tactical edge, or classified computing environments.
• Familiarity with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, containerized applications, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Experience with eMASS, Platform IT (PIT), or equivalent DoD authorization processes.
• Experience with cross-domain solutions, multi-level security (MLS), and tactical networks.
• Experience implementing DISA STIGs, SCAP, and cybersecurity compliance tools.
• Experience with ACAS, Nessus, Tenable, or similar vulnerability management platforms.
• Knowledge of Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), Identity and Access Management (IAM), PKI, and encryption technologies.
• Experience supporting open architectures, MOSA, and systems-of-systems integration.
• Experience developing cybersecurity requirements, security architectures, and verification strategies.
• Professional cybersecurity certifications (CISSP, CISM, CGRC/CAP, Security+, or equivalent DoD 8140 certification).DoD 8140 certification).
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI

Preferred Certifications

• DoW 8140-compliant certification appropriate for the assigned cybersecurity workforce role.
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
• Certified Authorization Professional or Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance.
• CompTIA Security+.
• CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst.

Security Clearance

• Active Secret security clearance required.
• Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain additional program-specific accesses as required.