Information Security Systems Officer (ISSO) - Senior Consultant

Guidehouse; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking an Information Security Systems Officer to support a major federal initiative. The role guides system owners and security teams through RMF, ATO, and continuous monitoring in hybrid cloud and on‑prem environments.

You will lead secure cloud design across AWS, Azure, and on‑prem, implement NIST controls, and mentor junior ISSEs while ensuring agency governance and compliance. Strong communication with stakeholders is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years in cybersecurity or secure systems engineering with cloud experience.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph (CI or FS) required.
• Experience implementing NIST RMF and 800-53 controls across cloud/on‑prem environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of secure cloud architectures (AWS, Azure, hybrid).
• Implement and validate NIST controls and cloud security services.
• Mentor junior staff and guide DevSecOps teams on secure CI/CD and IaC.

Skills

Cloud architecture

RMF

NIST 800-53

Security governance

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Active TS/SCI with polygraph

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Splunk

Nessus

CrowdStrike

ACAS

Job description

Job Family:Cyber ConsultingTravel Required:Up to 10%Clearance Required:Active Top Secret SCI with PolygraphWhat You Will Do:Our Cybersecurity Consultants are a team of business integrators with extensive consulting and industry experience who help our clients solve their complex business issues from strategy through execution. A career in an integrated team of developers and consultants provides the opportunity to grow and contribute to our clients' business issues every day, applying a collection of security spectrum capabilities, including security strategy and governance, IT risk, security technologies, and cybercrime and breach response.We are seeking a highly experienced Information Security Systems Officer (ISSO)– to support a major federal initiative. The ISSO serves as a technical and compliance lead, guiding system owners, engineers, and security teams through RMF, ATO, and continuous monitoring activities. This role is responsible for interpreting policy, providing authoritative security guidance, leading audits, and evaluating complex systems across hybrid cloud and on‑premises environments. The ISSO will mentor junior staff and ensure that systems maintain full compliance with federal requirements, NIST security controls, and agency‑specific governance.Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:Lead design and engineering of secure cloud architectures across AWS, Azure, and hybrid environments.Implement and validate NIST 800‑53 security controls and cloud‑native security services (IAM, encryption, segmentation, logging).Conduct cloud threat modeling, risk assessments, and architecture reviews.Oversee cloud configuration baselines using STIGs, CIS Benchmarks, and SCAP.Drive cloud vulnerability and compliance efforts using ACAS/Nessus and cloud‑security posture tools.Support RMF engineering activities including boundary definition, inheritance documentation, and authorization packages.Integrate cloud‑security capabilities such as Sentinel, Splunk, and SIEM logging pipelines.Guide DevSecOps teams on secure CI/CD, container security, and infrastructure‑as‑code validation.Produce cloud architecture diagrams, design documentation, and engineering artifacts.Mentor junior and mid‑level ISSEs and act as a technical escalation point for cloud engineering issues.What You Will Need:Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.Minimum of FIVE (5) years of work experience in cybersecurity or secure systems engineering experience, including cloud architecture.An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED TS/SCI Poly Federal or DoD security clearance with a (COUNTERINTELLIGENCE (CI) polygraph - OR - FULL SCOPE (FS/FSP) polygraph).US Citizenship is contractually required.Strong understanding of security frameworks and compliance standards (e.g., NIST, RMF SP 800-53 Rev 5, DoD 8570).Proven experience in designing and implementing enterprise security tools such as SIEM (e.g., Splunk), vulnerability scanners (e.g., Nessus), and endpoint protection platforms (e.g., Crowdstrike).Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and complex technical projects.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.What Would Be Nice To Have:Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Cybersecurity, Information Systems, Computer Engineering, or related technical field.Master’s Degree in relevant cybersecurity or IT field.One or more of the following certifications:Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Certified in Risk and Information Systems Controls (CRISC)Certified Authorization Professional (CAP) / Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC)Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)Familiarity with scripting or automation (PowerShell, Python, Bash) is a plusHands-on experience with network security, cryptography, and/or identity management.Project Management Professional (PMP) or Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) certification for managing cybersecurity projects in Agile environments.The annual salary range for this position is $113,000.00-$188,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.What We Offer:Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.Benefits include:Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision InsurancePersonal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid HolidaysPosition may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonusParental Leave and Adoption Assistance401(k) Retirement PlanBasic Life & Supplemental LifeHealth Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending AccountsShort-Term & Long-Term DisabilityStudent Loan PayDownTuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning OpportunitiesSkills Development & CertificationsEmployee Referral ProgramCorporate Sponsored Events & Community OutreachEmergency Back-Up Childcare ProgramMobility StipendAbout GuidehouseGuidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [e-mail]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [e-mail]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.