Lead CMMC Certified Assessor with Security Clearance

SteelGate LLC; Augusta (GA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development assistance

Vision insurance

Job summary

SteelGate LLC in Augusta, GA seeks an experienced Lead CMMC Certified Assessor (LCCA) to lead DoD CMMC Level 2 certification assessments. You will manage assessment teams, validate evidence, and issue final compliance determinations in accordance with 32 CFR Parts 170/171 and CAP guidelines.

You will drive scoping reviews, supervise testing against NIST SP 800-171A, and ensure defensible reporting while maintaining independence from advisory work.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of cybersecurity experience.
• Minimum 3+ years conducting IT/cybersecurity audits or control evaluations (NIST SP 800-53, 800-171, FedRAMP, ISO 27001, SOC 2).
• Minimum 5+ years in technical leadership/management or audit lead roles.
• U.S. Citizenship required by CMMC C3PAO program guidelines.
• Active DoD Secret Clearance (or favorable Tier 3/NAC background).

Responsibilities

• Lead Level 2 Assessments and direct assessment planning, execution, and reporting.
• Validate scoping boundaries across CUI assets and SPAs.
• Oversee evidence analysis, testing, and defensible reporting.
• Ensure independence and ethics in audits; manage team CCAs/CCPs.

Skills

Lead assessor

CMMC expertise

NIST audits

Team leadership

US citizenship

Education

LCCA credential

Advanced DoD certification (CISSP/CISM/CISA)

Tools

eMASS

NIST SP 800-171A tests

Job description

Lead CMMC Certified Assessor Full Time | Augusta, GA | Secret Clearance Required

SteelGate LLC is seeking an experienced, highly qualified Lead CMMC Certified Assessor (LCCA) to lead formal Department of Defense (DoD) CMMC Level 2 certification assessments. Operating out of Augusta, GA in close proximity to the Cyber Center of Excellence you will serve as the primary assessment lead and senior subject matter expert across SteelGate’s C3PAO assessment lifecycle and External Service Provider (ESP) advisory initiatives. In this role, you will lead assessment teams, evaluate defense contractor systems against NIST SP 800-171 / 800-171A controls, manage client engagements through the CMMC Assessment Process (CAP), validate evidence sufficiency, and issue defensible, final compliance determinations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Level 2 Assessments: Serve as the Lead Assessor for C3PAO certification engagements, directing assessment planning, execution, evidence collection, and final reporting in accordance with 32 CFR Part 170/171 and Cyber AB CAP guidelines.
• Scope Validation: Review and validate Organization Seeking Assessment (OSA) scoping boundaries across CUI Assets, Security Protection Assets (SPAs), Out-of-Scope Assets, and specialized assets.
• Evidence Analysis & Testing: Execute and supervise the Examine, Interview, and Test assessment methods mapped to NIST SP 800-171A requirements.
• Defensible Reporting: Document findings, generate Assessment Findings Reports, verify artifact hash lists, and oversee submissions into CMMC eMASS.
• Team Management & Quality Assurance: Supervise team CCAs and CCPs, resolve technical discrepancies during evaluations, and ensure independence and strict adherence to ethics and conflict-of-interest standards.
• Collaborate with SteelGate engineering and compliance leadership to ensure SteelGate’s ESP hosting environment maintains alignment with Level 2 security baseline requirements.
• Maintain complete independence between advisory/consulting engagements and formal C3PAO certification audits. Required Qualifications
• Active Lead CMMC Certified Assessor (LCCA™) credential in good standing with The Cyber AB / CAICO or active CCA™ credential meeting all LCCA criteria.
• Active DoD 8140.03 / 8570.01-M Baseline Certification Advanced Proficiency Level for Work Role 612 (Security Control Assessor) e.g., CISSP, CISM, CISA, GSLC, or GSNA.
• Minimum 5+ years of progressive cybersecurity experience.
• Minimum 3+ years directly conducting IT/cybersecurity audits or control evaluations (NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-171, FedRAMP, ISO 27001, or SOC 2).
• Minimum 5+ years in a technical leadership, management, or audit lead role.
• U.S. Citizenship (Mandatory per CMMC C3PAO program guidelines).
• Active DoD Secret Clearance (or favorable Tier 3 / NAC background investigation determination). Preferred Qualifications
• Hands-on experience working with Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractors handling CUI/FCI data.
• Background in federal government contracting, DFARS 252.204-7012 / 7019 / 7020 compliance, and SPRS score submissions.
• Experience with cloud security architectures (AWS GovCloud, Microsoft 365 GCC High) and enclave/ESP boundaries.
• Prior military or DoD civilian experience in Cyber Operations or Information Assurance (e.g., USCC, NETCOM, CCoE).
• Travel Requirements
• Primary: Georgia Cyber Center, Augusta, GA. Hybrid scheduling available for non-assessment delivery periods.
• Travel: Up to 25%–35% regional travel for on-site client assessments and site reviews.
• Job Types: Full-Time , Hybrid Salary: $150,0000 - $170,000 Schedule: Monday-Friday Benefits:
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

STEELGATE LLC is a Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that prides itself in hiring top-level Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) proven to exceed deliverable expectations. STEELGATE LLC is focused on solving the hard problems facing our government and commercial clients. Our success lies in blending together relevant domain/functional knowledge with deep expertise in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Defensive Cyber Operations, cloud-based DevSecOps, Data Analytics & AI, Acquisition and Acquisition Management, and more. STEELGATE LLC has a positive, inclusive workplace environment where all team members and partners work towards mutual success. We have established a reliable reach-back program whereas all SMEs are available to support, advise and directly complete mission deliverables when necessary. STEELGATE LLC has a worldwide reputation as a valued and trustworthy partner. Our can-do attitude and willingness to support any mission requirement sets us apart from other small business organizations. Find out more about STEELGATE LLC @ www.steelgatellc.com. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.