Senior Cybersecurity SME/Security Control Assessor

QinetiQ US (formerly Avantus Federal); Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ US is seeking a highly technical Senior Cybersecurity SME/SCA to assess and secure complex, multi-domain systems. You will advise the AO, influence architecture, and ensure continuous risk determinations align with agency timelines and evolving threats.

The role requires deep engineering and integration experience, active TS clearance with SCI/SAP, and proficiency with RMF, DoD standards, and automated testing within Agile environments.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI and SAP accesses.
• 12+ years in IT, cybersecurity engineering, and A&A with increasing responsibility.
• Experience with SAP, SCI systems including PIT, cloud environments, and CDS.
• IA WIP Level III IAM/IAT certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM).
• Direct defense-ecosystem experience with rapid prototyping and Platform IT systems.

Responsibilities

• Engineering Technical Reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) to bake security in from design.
• DevSecOps alignment: integrate SAST/DAST and continuous compliance into Agile pipelines.
• Threat modeling during design to identify attack vectors and mitigations.
• Technical validation of vulnerability scans, STIGs, and pen test reports; translate findings to risk.
• RMF execution per NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 and related DoD/IC guidance.
• Evaluate security across PIT, hardware/software, networks, and satellite control systems.
• Zero Trust implementation across portfolios and CDS architecture considerations.
• Engage stakeholders and translate AO directives to engineers; liaise with DIB and SAP groups.

Skills

Threat modeling

RMF/A&A

DevSecOps

Systems integration

Education

Master's degree in Engineering, IT or Cybersecurity

Tools

SAST/DAST

ACAS/Nessus

STIG checklists

Penetration testing

Job description

Why Join QinetiQ US?

We are a world-class team of professionals who deliver next generation technology and products in robotic and autonomous platforms, ground, soldier, and maritime systems in 50+ locations world-wide. Much of our work contributes to innovative research in the fields of sensor science, signal processing, data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR).

QinetiQ US’s dedicated experts in defense, aerospace, security, and related fields all work together to explore new ways of protecting the American Warfighter, Security Forces, and Allies. Being a part of QinetiQ US means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend.

Position Overview

QinetiQ US is seeking a highly technical Senior Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Security Control Assessor (SCA). This role is explicitly designed to transcend traditional compliance validation. The ideal candidate possesses deep technical engineering and integration experience, enabling them to dissect, analyze, and secure highly complex, multi-domain systems. Acting as a trusted technical adviser to the Authorizing Official (AO) and directly supports the CIO of SCO. The candidate will provide continuous risk determinations, influence system architecture, and ensure that cutting-edge capabilities are developed with intrinsic security that aligns with aggressive agency timelines, modern threat landscapes, and advanced operational requirements.

Responsibilities

Strategic Advisement & Lifecycle Integration

• Engineering Technical Reviews: Actively participate in System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), and Critical Design Reviews (CDR) to ensure security is baked in, rather than bolted on.
• DevSecOps Alignment: Guide SCO project teams in integrating automated security testing (SAST/DAST) and continuous compliance monitoring into Agile development pipelines where appropriate.
• Threat Modeling: Conduct system-level threat modeling during the design phase to identify potential attack vectors and recommend architectural mitigations before code is written or hardware is procured.

Advanced Assessment & Risk Determination

• Technical Validation: Move beyond paperwork by conducting deep technical reviews of vulnerability scans (e.g., ACAS/Nessus), STIG checklists, and penetration testing reports. Correlate technical findings to actual operational risk.
• RMF Execution: Demonstrate mastery of Federal, DoD, and Intelligence Community (IC) RMF policies (NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5, CNSSI 1253, DoD 8510.01, ICD 503). Assist the government AO by translating complex technical compliance shortfalls into actionable, mission-contextualized risk decisions.
• Diverse Architectures: Evaluate the security performance, integrity, and residual risk of varied environments, including Platform Information Technology (PIT), hardware/software systems, communication networks, and satellite control systems, etc.

Zero Trust & Next-Generation Architecture

• Zero Trust Implementation: Drive the adoption of DoD Zero Trust architectural pillars (User, Device, Network, Application/Workload, Data, Visibility/Analytics, and Automation/Orchestration) across all SCO portfolios.
• Cross Domain Solutions (CDS): Provide specialized expertise in designing, evaluating, and implementing CDS technologies. This includes complex enterprise deployments in classified compartmentalized environments and “point-to-point” solutions for isolated, tactical IT architectures.
• Emerging Technology Evaluation: Continuously monitor state-of-the-art technologies (e.g., AI/ML, edge computing, quantum-resistant cryptography) and the evolving threat landscape to ensure SCO systems anticipate and mitigate next-generation threats.

Stakeholder Engagement & Liaison

• Technical Translation: Facilitate seamless communication with SCO Portfolio technical SMEs, effectively translating AO directives to engineers and engineering challenges to the AO.
• Community Representation: Serve as a key liaison between the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), government cybersecurity entities, security assessment organizations, and Special Access Program (SAP) IT working groups to maintain alignment with the broader defense innovation ecosystem.

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI and SAP accesses. #qinetiqclearedjob
• Minimum of twelve (12) years of demonstrated experience in IT, cybersecurity engineering, and Assessment & Authorization (A&A), with increasing responsibility.
• Significant and proven multi-domain experience with SAP and SCI Systems, to include PIT, Cloud environments, Cross Domain Solutions.
• Active baseline certification equivalent to DoD 8140.01 / 8570.01-M Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program (IA WIP) for IAT Level III or IAM Level III (e.g., CISSP, CISM, GSLC, CASP+ CE).
• Direct experience working within the defense innovation ecosphere, specifically with rapid prototyping, test environments, and Platform IT (PIT) systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven hands-on technical experience working as a systems integrator or cybersecurity engineer, specifically with enterprise networks, cloud computing systems, and/or all-domain platform IT architectures.
• Master's Degree in Engineering, IT or Cybersecurity

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this role is $150,000 - $185,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. QinetiQ US considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills .

If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] Opt. 1 and let us know the nature of your request and contact information.

QinetiQ US is an Equal Opportunity employer. All Qualified Applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.