Information System Security Engineer (ISSE)

The Information System Security Engineer (ISSE) serves as a dedicated, customer-facing cybersecurity engineering consultant supporting organizational ISSMs, ISSOs, Mission Partners, system owners, architects, and development teams. The ISSE provides expert security architecture and Risk Management Framework (RMF) guidance for on-premises, cloud-hosted, legacy, and modernizing systems throughout the System Development Lifecycle (SDLC). The ISSE helps customers understand cybersecurity requirements and develop actionable technical solutions that implement controls, remediate vulnerabilities, and improve system security before or following formal assessment.

Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as the embedded security engineering expert for Mission Partners, ISSMs, ISSOs, system owners, architects, and development teams.
• Provide security engineering support throughout the SDLC, including requirements gathering, design reviews, sprint planning, modernization, implementation, and production.
• Translate RMF, NIST SP 800-53, DoD cybersecurity policy, and other governance requirements into actionable, threat-informed engineering solutions.
• Conduct in-depth security architecture and design reviews for new and existing systems.
• Analyze network architectures, cloud-native architectures, applications, APIs, microservices, containers, serverless functions, interfaces, and data flows to identify security weaknesses.
• Collaborate with architects and developers to identify achievable security controls and reduce compliance friction before formal assessment.
• Engineer and document vulnerability mitigation strategies and provide technical consultation supporting POA&M corrective actions.
• Develop solutions that reduce system attack surface and improve resiliency without unnecessarily compromising mission capability.
• Translate security requirements into specific technical implementation activities such as MFA, database encryption, secure network zoning, and related controls.
• Apply DoD STIGs, SRGs, and PPSM guidance to system engineering activities.
• Use security telemetry and findings from SIEM, vulnerability scanning, and EDR technologies to recommend architectural and engineering improvements.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to ISSMs, ISSOs, developers, and system owners.
• Present cybersecurity risks, architectural findings, mitigation strategies, and recommendations to technical personnel and Government leadership.
• Document customer interactions, systems supported, issues addressed, and technical recommendations as required.

Required Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

• Citizenship and Clearance:
  • US Citizenship is required
  • Must have and maintain a current DoD Top Secret clearance
• Experience: 
  • 10+ years of related experience in cyber security
• Education and Certifications: 
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent additional experience
  • Must have and maintain one of the following current certifications in accordance with DoD 8140 Work Role 652 – Security Architect Certification requirement:
    • CCNP Enterprise,
    • GMON,
    • SecurityX / CASP+,
    • CCSP,
    • CISM,
    • CISSO,
    • CISSP-ISSAP,
    • CISSP-ISSEP,
    • Cloud+,
    • CSSLP,
    • FITSP-D,
    • GCIA,
    • GCSA,
    • GDSA,
    • GICSP, or
    • GSEC
• Location:
  • Must reside within a commutable distance of Fort Meade, MD or Chambersburg, PA in order to work a hybrid onsite schedule (4 days onsite weekly).
• Skills and Knowledge:
  • Expert-level knowledge of RMF and NIST SP 800-37.
  • Expert-level knowledge of NIST SP 800-53 security and privacy controls.
  • Strong security architecture and systems-security engineering experience.
  • Practical experience applying DoD STIGs, SRGs, and PPSM requirements.
  • Experience converting compliance requirements into practical engineering solutions.
  • Hands-on engineering/configuration experience with enterprise security technologies, including:
    • SIEM platforms such as Splunk or Elastic.
    • Vulnerability scanners such as ACAS/Nessus.
    • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) technologies.
  • Knowledge of traditional and cloud-native architectures.
  • Ability to support multiple concurrent systems, projects, and development efforts.
  • Strong written, verbal, consulting, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Provide security engineering support throughout the SDLC, including requirements gathering, design reviews, sprint planning, modernization, implementation, and production.
• Translate RMF, NIST SP 800-53, DoD cybersecurity policy, and other governance requirements into actionable, threat-informed engineering solutions.
• Conduct in-depth security architecture and design reviews for new and existing systems.
• Analyze network architectures, cloud-native architectures, applications, APIs, microservices, containers, serverless functions, interfaces, and data flows to identify security weaknesses.
• Develop solutions that reduce system attack surface and improve resiliency without unnecessarily compromising mission capability.
• Translate security requirements into specific technical implementation activities such as MFA, database encryption, secure network zoning, and related controls.
• Apply DoD STIGs, SRGs, and PPSM guidance to system engineering activities.

The projected salary range for this position is $150,000+ annually. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including years of relevant experience, active security clearance level, certifications, technical skillset, contract requirements, and overall qualifications.