Security Assessment & Accreditation Lead

Unissant; Bethesda (MD); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Unissant, Inc. is seeking a Security Assessment & Accreditation Lead to join our team and support our client.

The ideal candidate will manage the full lifecycle of Security Assessment and Authorization across enterprise systems and cloud environments, translating security requirements into practical, well-documented solutions that support compliance and mission success. The role requires 5–8 years of SA&A experience, proficiency with NIST RMF, and the ability to collaborate with ISSOs and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; preferred fields include CS/IT/IS/OM.
• MBA/Master's preferred.
• Certifications such as CISSP and CAP desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle of Security Assessment and Authorization activities across enterprise systems and cloud environments.
• Oversee development, review, and maintenance of ATO packages and security documentation.
• Prepare System Security Plans, Security Assessment Reports, POA&M, Risk Registers and compliance artifacts.
• Support assessment interviews, control validation, and risk-based decision documentation.
• Coordinate with system owners, ISSOs, and stakeholders throughout authorization and remediation tasks.
• Review packages prior to submission and ensure documentation aligns with federal requirements.

Skills

Security Assessment

ATO Packages

NIST RMF

POA&M

Risk Assessments

Control Testing

Stakeholder Interviews

TIC 3.0/Zero Trust

Cloud Security

AI Security

Education

Bachelor's Degree

MBA/Master's Degree (preferred)

Job description

Unissant, Inc. delivers innovative capabilities to the agencies that keep our nation healthy and safe. We apply our domain expertise, data acumen, and technology know-how to achieve breakthrough results for our clients. Working collaboratively, we advance missions and careers through a focus on honesty, integrity, and dependability. We continuously look for talent, excited to join that effort. To learn more about our exciting organization, please visit us at www.unissant.com.

We are seeking a Security Assessment & Accreditation Lead to join our team and support our client. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented security professional with strong expertise in assessment and authorization activities across complex enterprise and cloud environments. This individual is comfortable leading ATO lifecycle efforts, partnering with stakeholders, and translating security requirements into practical, well-documented solutions that support compliance and mission success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the full lifecycle of Security Assessment and Authorization activities across enterprise systems, cloud environments, and integrated architectures.
• Oversee the development, review, and maintenance of ATO packages and associated security documentation.
• Guide the preparation of System Security Plans, Security Assessment Reports, POA&M, Risk Registers, and related compliance artifacts.
• Support assessment interviews, control validation activities, and risk-based decision documentation.
• Facilitate coordination with system owners, ISSOs, and stakeholders throughout authorization and remediation activities.
• Review packages prior to submission and help ensure documentation is complete, accurate, and aligned with federal requirements.
• Support continuous improvement of authorization processes, standards, templates, and reporting.

Work Experience and Job Skills:

• Minimum of 5-8 years of experience supporting Security Assessment and Authorization activities in large-scale and complex IT environments.
• Experience developing ATO packages for enterprise and cloud systems.
• Strong experience writing, assessing, and validating control implementation statements based on NIST guidance.
• Experience with Risk Management Framework activities, POA&M management, risk assessments, control testing, and stakeholder interviews.
• Knowledge of TIC 3.0, Zero Trust, cloud environments, and related enterprise security frameworks.
• Knowledge of trends in AI, securing AI applications, embedded artificial intelligence tools, data protections, and FedRAMP environments.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree is required. Preferred field of study in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Operations Management, or related field of study.
• MBA/Master's Degree in a relevant field of study preferred.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Desired certifications include CISSP and CAP.

Communication Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written skills, ability to present proposals and performance data, comfortable interfacing all levels of organization.
• Ability to write clear and concise creative content in a highly confidential manner.

Clearance Requirements:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.

Travel:

• Work under this task order is expected to be performed primarily remotely at the contractor's non-Federally controlled facility.
• Key personnel are expected to work onsite in Bethesda, Maryland two days per week, with onsite schedules and working hours subject to approval by Federal staff.
• Additional onsite meetings or temporary support within Federally controlled facilities may be required based on program needs.

Environmental Requirements:

• Mainly a routine office environment.
• May be required to lift up to ten (10) pounds
• Flexible in working extended hours

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Unissant management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, where applicable and available, reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of this position.

Please note: Candidate(s) will be required to go through pre-employment screening.

Unissant, Inc. is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer! (EOE; M/F/Disability/Vets)