Senior Cybersecurity SME​/Security Control Assessor Security Clearance

Position: Senior Cybersecurity SME/Security Control Assessor with Security Clearance
Company Overview 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. Why Join QinetiQ US? If you have the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges, then you will experience a unique working environment where innovative teams blend different perspectives, disciplines, and technologies to discover new ways of solving complex problems.

In our diverse and inclusive environment, you can be authentic, feel valued, be respected, and realize your full potential. QinetiQ US will support you with workplace flexibility, a commitment to the health and well-being of you and your family and provide opportunities to work with a purpose. We are committed to supporting your success in both your professional and personal lives.

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.
* Dev Sec Ops  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…