Senior Principal Software Assessment Engineer – AHT

Northrop Grumman

. Serve as a Secure Access Enablement Engineer for the DAF CLOUDworks program at the Air Force Research Laboratory .

Posted 10/5/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $129,300 - $193,900 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in secure cloud program management, including compliance with RMF, STIG, and DISA requirements, while effectively leading teams and managing relationships with government security officials and OTA partners. Proficient in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and risk management processes for classified cloud environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Active DoD Top Secret ClearanceRMF Compliance ExpertiseInfrastructure As Code (IaC) ProficiencyLeadership Experience Managing TeamsCompTIA Security+ Certification

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Risk Management Framework (RMF)Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG)Infrastructure As Code (IaC)AnsibleTerraformBicepPuppetKubernetesZero-Trust ArchitectureCloud Migration

Soft Skills

Relationship ManagementIndependent Decision MakingInfluencing Risk-Acceptance DecisionsTeam LeadershipCommunication

Tools & Technologies

EMASSXACTAACASSCAPOTA Agreements

Certifications & Qualifications

CompTIA Security+CompTIA SecurityXIAT Level II Certification

Industry Keywords

Department of DefenseClassified Cloud EnvironmentsOTA OnboardingRisk AssessmentsPOA&M Updates

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AnsibleCloudKubernetesPuppetTerraform

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a Secure Access Enablement Engineer for the DAF CLOUDworks program at the Air Force Research Laboratory
Operate independently as the direct interface between DoD security authorities, including the Designated Authorizing Official and other Authorizing Officials, and industry partners working under OTA agreements
Securely provision OTA-contracted users, devices, and services onto classified cloud platforms
Maintain compliance with RMF, STIG, and DISA requirements
Support a secure cloud program with teams focused on information security, infrastructure development, cloud migration, operations, sustainment, and enhancements
Develop and maintain working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Serve as a senior autonomous point of contact for government security officials and OTA partners
Design, implement, and govern large-scale onboarding programs for classified cloud environments
Manage a team of liaison engineers and contractors
Author risk assessments, POA&M updates, and DAO/AO briefing packages
Influence risk-acceptance decisions and establish auditable onboarding processes

Requirements

What you’ll need

One of the following: a high school diploma with 12 years of relevant experience; a bachelor’s degree in a STEM-related field with 8+ years of experience; a master’s degree in a STEM-related field with 6+ years of experience; or a PhD in a STEM-related field with 4+ years of experience
Active Department of Defense Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance
Able to obtain IAT Level II certification per DoD 8570.01, such as CompTIA SecurityX (formerly CASP+) or CompTIA Security+, within 60 days of start date
Extensive experience serving as the primary autonomous conduit between government security officials, including the Designated Authorizing Official, and multiple OTA partners on classified cloud projects
Deep expertise with RMF, STIG/SRG compliance, ACAS, SCAP, eMASS, XACTA, and Zero-Trust/SASE architectures
Expertise with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and languages including Ansible, Terraform, Bicep, ARM templates, Puppet, and Pulumi
Proven record designing, implementing, and governing large-scale onboarding programs for classified cloud environments while maintaining independent decision authority
Leadership experience managing a team of liaison engineers and contractors
Preferred: CompTIA SecurityX or CompTIA Security+ certification or IAT Level II equivalent per DoD 8570.01
Preferred: Ability to serve as the senior autonomous point of contact for multiple AOs and the DAO; shape policy and escalation procedures enterprise-wide
Preferred: Experience overseeing the full OTA onboarding portfolio and setting standards
Preferred: Ability to own the risk-management posture for the entire onboarding program and influence DAO-level risk-acceptance decisions
Preferred: Ability to author risk assessments, POA&M updates, and DAO/AO briefing packages
Preferred: Hands-on experience deploying digital infrastructure in an automated fashion
Preferred: Kubernetes expertise
U.S. Citizenship is required for positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions
Travel: 10% of the time

Benefits

Comp & perks

Relocation assistance may be available
Overtime eligibility may be available depending on the position
Shift differential may be available depending on the position
Discretionary bonus eligibility
Health insurance coverage
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Savings plan
Company-paid holidays
Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business