Sr. Principal Software Assessment Engineer (AHT)

Description

The company is hiring a Sr. Principal Secure Access Enablement Engineer for the DAF CLOUDworks program at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

You will work on your own as the main link between DoD security authorities, including the DAO and other AOs, and industry partners operating under Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements.

The goal is to make sure every OTA-contracted user, device and service is securely provisioned onto classified cloud platforms, in full compliance with RMF, STIG and DISA requirements.

The program is growing quickly. More than 10 teams work on information security, infrastructure development and cloud migration, alongside operations, sustainment, and upgrades that add requirements, improve functionality and efficiency, or reduce operating and deployment costs.

Reference code: CWI2026.

Responsibilities

• Act as the direct link between DoD security authorities, including the DAO and other AOs, and OTA industry partners.
• Ensure every OTA-contracted user, device and service is provisioned onto classified cloud platforms securely.
• Keep all provisioning in line with RMF, STIG and DISA requirements.
• Work independently while building and maintaining solid working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Help modify and improve program offerings to meet new requirements, add functionality, raise efficiency or reduce operating and deployment costs.

Requirements

• Hold one of the following: a high school diploma plus 12 years of relevant experience; a bachelor's degree in a STEM field plus 8+ years of experience; a master's degree in a STEM field plus 6+ years; or a PhD in a STEM field plus 4+ years.
• Hold an active DoD Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance.
• Be able to obtain IAT Level II certification under DoD 8570.01, such as CompTIA SecurityX (formerly CASP+) or CompTIA Security+, within 60 days of the start date.
• Have extensive experience as the main autonomous link between government security officials, including the DAO, and several OTA partners on classified cloud projects.
• Have deep knowledge of RMF, STIG/SRG compliance, ACAS, SCAP, eMASS, XACTA and Zero-Trust/SASE architectures.
• Be skilled with Infrastructure as Code, including but not limited to Ansible, Terraform, Bicep, ARM templates, Puppet and Pulumi.
• Have a proven record of designing, implementing and governing large-scale onboarding programs for classified cloud environments while holding independent decision authority.
• Have led a team of liaison engineers and contractors, building a culture of self-directed work.
• Have a track record as an effective communicator and problem solver.
• Preferred: CompTIA SecurityX or Security+ certification, or IAT Level II equivalent under DoD 8570.01.
• Preferred: Ability to act as the senior autonomous point of contact for several AOs and the DAO, and to shape policy and escalation procedures across the enterprise.
• Preferred: Ability to oversee the full OTA onboarding portfolio, set standards and make sure each partner follows the same independent, auditable process.
• Preferred: Ability to own the risk-management posture for the whole onboarding program and influence DAO-level risk-acceptance decisions.
• Preferred: Ability to write concise risk assessments, POA&M updates and DAO/AO briefing packages.
• Preferred: Hands-on experience deploying digital infrastructure in an automated way.
• Preferred: Kubernetes expertise.

Conditions

Clearance is required for start.

Travel is about 10% of the time.

Relocation assistance may be available.

Base pay for the primary level ranges from $129,300.00 to $193,900.00. The actual offer depends on scope and responsibilities, experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

The application period is estimated at 20 days from the posting date, and may be shortened or extended based on business needs and candidate availability.

Benefits

• Depending on the role, you may be eligible for overtime, shift differential and a discretionary bonus on top of base pay.
• Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and let you share in company results.
• Vice President and Director roles may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.
• Benefits include health insurance, life cover and disability coverage, a savings plan, holidays paid by the company, and paid time off for vacation or personal business.