Lead Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) - Post-Quantum Cryptography

Lumen; Concord (NH); Remote; USD 106,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Lumen is seeking a Lead Information Security Engineer (ISSO) with deep RMF execution expertise and a strong Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) focus. You will serve as the security authority for assigned systems, ensuring successful Authorization to Operate (ATO) outcomes while guiding cryptographic environments for the quantum era.

This remote role is open to candidates across the United States and requires experience with NIST standards, SSPs, POA&Ms, and crypto modernization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in cybersecurity, including RMF execution and ATO support.
• Strong knowledge of NIST RMF, SP 800-37, SP 800-53, FedRAMP and FISMA.
• Experience evaluating PKI, encryption, and key management.
• Knowledge of Post-Quantum Cryptography concepts and quantum threats.
• Experience supporting PQC readiness assessments and crypto modernization.
• Knowledge of PQC standardization efforts and government guidance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary ISSO for assigned systems and RMF execution.
• Lead PQC integration within customer environments per guidance.
• Manage RMF lifecycle: categorization, controls, assessment, authorization, monitoring.
• Develop and validate SSPs, POA&Ms, inventories, and evidence.
• Evaluate cryptographic architectures and PKI ecosystems.
• Plan crypto modernization, crypto agility, and PQC transitions.
• Assess new technologies for security and quantum readiness.
• Collaborate with engineering and programs to remediate findings.

Skills

RMF execution

PQC concepts

NIST RMF knowledge

PKI & certificates

Crypto agility

SSPs & POA&M

Security risk assessments

Education

Bachelor's in Cybersecurity

Information Assurance degree

Tools

PKI

HSMs

Certificate management

CSfC concepts

Job description

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI-powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through our expansive fiber network and connected ecosystem. We enable secure, high-performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities.

At Lumen, you'll work on infrastructure customers rely on today and build for what's next, where performance, security, and resilience matter.

This is a high accountability environment where bold ideas drive real innovation for our customers, partners, and industry. The work is challenging, expectations are clear, and trust is built into how we operate. If you're ready to take ownership, deliver meaningful impact, and help shape the future of AI-ready connectivity, join us today.

The Role

Lumen is seeking a Lead Information Security Engineer (ISSO) with deep expertise in Risk Management Framework (RMF) execution and a strong focus on Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) strategy, compliance, and implementation. In this role, you will serve as the primary security authority for assigned systems, ensuring successful Authorization to Operate (ATO) outcomes while helping customers prepare cryptographic environments for the emerging quantum threat landscape.

Location

This is a remote position open to candidates based anywhere in the U.S.

The Main Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary ISSO for assigned systems, owning end-to-end RMF execution and supporting successful ATO outcomes.

• Lead the security assessment and integration of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) capabilities within customer environments, ensuring alignment with evolving federal guidance, NIST standards, and agency-specific requirements.

• Execute the full RMF lifecycle, including categorization, control implementation, assessment readiness, authorization activities, and continuous monitoring.

• Develop, maintain, and validate security authorization artifacts, including System Security Plans (SSPs), POA&Ms, cryptographic inventories, and implementation evidence.

• Evaluate existing cryptographic architectures and identify risks associated with legacy public key infrastructure, encryption protocols, key management solutions, and certificate ecosystems.

• Support cryptographic modernization initiatives, including crypto-agility planning, hybrid cryptographic implementations, migration roadmaps, and PQC transition strategies.

• Assess emerging technologies, products, managed services, and architectures for security, compliance, quantum-readiness, and implementation feasibility within authorized customer environments.

• Partner with engineering, operations, and program teams to drive remediation of vulnerabilities, security findings, cryptographic weaknesses, and compliance gaps.

What We Look For in a Candidate

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 5+ years of experience in cybersecurity, information assurance, governance, risk, and compliance, including direct responsibility for RMF execution and ATO support.

• Strong working knowledge of NIST RMF (SP 800-37), NIST SP 800-53, and federal authorization frameworks including FedRAMP and FISMA.

• Experience evaluating cryptographic implementations, public key infrastructure (PKI), key management systems, digital certificates, and encryption technologies.

• Knowledge of Post-Quantum Cryptography concepts, quantum threats to traditional cryptography, crypto-agility principles, and emerging quantum-resistant algorithms.

• Demonstrated experience supporting Post-Quantum Cryptography readiness assessments, cryptographic inventories, migration planning, or cryptographic modernization initiatives.

• Knowledge of NIST PQC standardization efforts, quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms, and emerging federal guidance related to quantum security preparedness.

• Experience conducting security risk assessments and translating regulatory and technical requirements into actionable security guidance.

• Experience developing and maintaining authorization artifacts, including SSPs, POA&Ms, security assessments, and continuous monitoring documentation.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex security and cryptographic concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred:

• Experience supporting federal government, Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, or other highly regulated organizations.

• Experience assessing cryptographic risks within cloud, hybrid, telecommunications, SaaS, or large-scale enterprise environments.

• Experience with security architecture reviews, cryptographic design reviews, and evaluation of vendor PQC capabilities and roadmaps.

• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, CGRC, CISA, Security+, or equivalent industry-recognized credentials.

• Familiarity with secure communications technologies, certificate management, HSMs, key lifecycle management, and enterprise PKI architectures.

• Proven ability to influence enterprise security strategy, drive cross-functional initiatives, and serve as a trusted advisor on quantum-resilient security solutions.

• Demonstrated experience leading and supporting the accreditation of Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) solutions, including development, coordination, and submission of CSfC Registration Packages and supporting artifacts through the National Security

• Agency (NSA) approval process

Security Requirements

• US citizenship required.

• The capability to meet the suitability requirements for a GSA public trust position is required.

Compensation

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

Location Based Pay Ranges

$105,786 - $141,047 in these states: AL AR AZ FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA ME MO MS MT ND NE NM OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VT WI WV WY

$111,074 - $148,099 in these states: CO HI MI MN NC NH NV OR RI

$116,364 - $155,152 in these states: AK CA CT DC DE IL MA MD NJ NY TX VA WA

Lumen offers a comprehensive package featuring a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle benefits and other perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing. We're able to answer any additional questions you may have about our bonus structure (short-term incentives, long-term incentives and/or sales compensation) as you move through the selection process.

Learn more about Lumen's:

Benefits (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/benefits-statement)

Bonus Structure

#LI-Remote

Requisition #: 342682

Life at Lumen

Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI-focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win.

To learn more about Life at Lumen and how we live the Lumen 8, please visit:

https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/life-at-lumen

Background Screening

If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/faq) . Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Equal Employment Opportunities

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, "protected statuses"). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.

Privacy Notice

Lumen is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information collected during the recruitment and hiring process. Our Applicant Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect applicant information, as well as how individuals may request access to or deletion of their personal data.

To review Lumen’s Global Employment Applicant and Talent Community Privacy Notice, please visit:

https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/privacy-notice

Disclaimer

The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Please be advised that Lumen does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Lumen, they are not for employment with us, but may relate to another company with a similar name.