Information Systems Security Engineer - SME

Agile Defense; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Supportive work environment

Job summary

A leading defense company is looking for an experienced Information System Security Engineer - SME to lead security engineering efforts within complex IT environments. This role requires a thorough understanding of NIST Risk Management Framework and requires a CISSP certification. You will provide technical guidance, ensure compliance with security standards, and oversee risk management processes. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills and a proven track record in federal environments, making this a critical role in supporting national security initiatives.

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in federal or IC environments.
• Deep expertise in NIST RMF, FISMA, and federal authorization processes.
• Experience supporting complex IT systems across multiple lifecycle stages.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor security professionals in RMF lifecycle execution.
• Direct security controls and ensure quality deliverables.
• Provide subject-matter expertise for cybersecurity risk analysis.

Skills

Security engineering leadership

NIST RMF expertise

Risk-based decision making

Cybersecurity risk analysis

Education

CISSP certification

Degree in Information Technology or related field

Job description

At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions. That’s why we always look to the future and embrace change with an unmovable spirit and the courage to build for what comes next.

Our vision is to bring adaptive innovation to support our nation's most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility—leveraging a foundation of speed, flexibility, and ingenuity to strengthen and protect our nation’s vital interests.

Requisition #: 1411

Job Tittle: Information System Security Engineer - SME

Location: Washington, DC

Clearance: TS/SCI

Required Certification: CISSP

Role Overview

The Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) – SME serves as a senior technical authority responsible for leading the implementation and execution of the DOJ’s Security Assessment and Authorization (SAA) Program in accordance with DOJ policy, the SAA Policy Guide, and NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements. This role provides expert-level security engineering leadership across complex DOJ IT environments, ensuring systems are securely designed, authorized, monitored, and sustained throughout their lifecycle.

The ISSE SME acts as a principal technical advisor to Government leadership, system owners, ISSOs, and engineering teams, driving consistent, high-quality RMF execution and risk-informed decision‑making.

Key Responsibilities

RMF & SAA Program Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and supervise security professionals responsible for end‑to‑end RMF lifecycle execution for DOJ information systems.
• Direct and coordinate activities within the Prepare step of RMF, ensuring roles, responsibilities, governance structures, and risk management strategies are clearly defined and maintained.
• Guide system categorization efforts to ensure information systems are properly classified based on mission impact, data sensitivity, and regulatory requirements.

Security Engineering & Control Implementation

• Direct the selection, tailoring, and documentation of security controls aligned with system categorizations, DOJ risk tolerance, and compliance requirements.
• Oversee implementation of technical, operational, and management controls across system and application lifecycles, ensuring quality, completeness, and consistency of deliverables.
• Serve as the senior technical authority for security architecture decisions, secure configurations, and remediation strategies.

Assessment, Authorization & Continuous Monitoring

• Ensure comprehensive security control assessments are planned, executed, and documented to validate control effectiveness.
• Prepare and review risk management documentation to support system authorization decisions and executive‑level risk acceptance.
• Direct continuous monitoring and ongoing assessment activities, collecting metrics and trends to inform risk posture and adjust security strategies.

Risk, Incident & Audit Support

• Provide subject‑matter expertise for cybersecurity risk analysis, incident response, vulnerability remediation, and audit support.
• Support OIG, FISMA, and internal review activities, ensuring systems remain audit‑ready and defensible.

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to DOJ leadership, system owners, ISSOs, and mission stakeholders.
• Track, report, and communicate security engineering status, risks, and improvement opportunities to Government and contractor leadership.
• Foster collaboration across divisions to ensure consistent application of security best practices.

Training & Continuous Improvement

• Promote a culture of security awareness through technical guidance, mentoring, and training.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of RMF, NIST guidance, DOJ policies, and industry best practices.
• Identify opportunities to improve RMF execution efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness through process refinement and approved tooling.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Senior‑level experience providing security engineering leadership in federal or IC environments.
• Deep expertise in NIST RMF, FISMA, and federal authorization processes.
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex, enterprise‑scale IT systems across multiple lifecycle stages.
• Proven ability to advise leadership on risk‑based security decisions.

Preferred / Highly Desired

• Prior experience supporting DOJ, or Intelligence Community customers.
• Experience working alongside ISSOs, AOs, and assessment teams in high‑tempo environments.
• Familiarity with network, infrastructure, application, and SaaS security architectures.
• Experience supporting audit remediation and continuous monitoring programs.

Employees of Agile Defense are our number one priority, and the importance we place on our culture here is fundamental. Our culture is alive and evolving, but it always stays true to its roots. Here, you are valued as a family member, and we believe that we can accomplish great things together. Agile Defense has been highly successful in the past few years due to our employees and the culture we create together.

What makes us Agile? We call it the 6Hs, the values that define our culture and guide everything we do. Together, these values infuse vibrancy, integrity, and a tireless work ethic into advancing the most important national security and critical civilian missions. It's how we show up every day. It's who we are.

We also believe in supporting our employees by offering a competitive and comprehensive benefits package. To explore the benefits we offer, please visit our website under the Careers section.

Happy - Be Infectious.

Helpful - Be Supportive.

Honest - Be Trustworthy.

Humble - Be Grounded.

Hungry - Be Eager.

Hustle - Be Driven.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities