Your Impact:

Enable Skyward Federal’s mission by guiding systems through the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and maintaining secure authorization packages for mission-critical technologies. Your work ensures Skyward platforms meet DoD cybersecurity requirements and obtain and sustain Authority to Operate (ATO) across complex classified and multi-domain environments.

This role requires an active Top Secret security clearance.

Where You'll Take Charge:

• RMF Authorization & ATO Lifecycle: Lead systems through the RMF lifecycle, supporting authorization, continuous monitoring, and ongoing compliance activities for DoD systems

• Security Control Implementation: Interpret and implement security requirements across NIST 800-53, ICD 503, and JSIG frameworks within real system architectures

• Body of Evidence & Traceability: Develop and maintain RMF artifacts and ensure traceability between system components, security controls, and supporting evidence

• Cybersecurity Collaboration: Partner closely with engineering, platform, and product teams to ensure system architectures and deployments align with required security controls

Primary Responsibilities:

• Guide systems through the RMF lifecycle including categorization, control implementation, assessment support, authorization, and continuous monitoring

• Develop and maintain RMF documentation including System Security Plans (SSPs), POA&Ms, control narratives, and Body of Evidence artifacts

• Map and validate NIST 800-53 controls against system architecture, ensuring accurate implementation and traceability

• Maintain authorization packages within RMF tools such as eMASS, Xacta, similar compliance platforms, or especially with individual artifact (paper) packages

• Analyze system architecture, components, and authorization boundaries to ensure RMF artifacts accurately reflect deployed technologies.

• Support ATO acquisition and sustainment activities for classified and mission systems.

• Coordinate with ISSOs, ISSMs, and Security Control Assessors during authorization and assessment activities

• Track remediation activities and support continuous monitoring efforts across secure environments

Your Edge:

• Experience implementing RMF for DoD systems aligned to NIST 800-53 and ICD 503

• Experience developing and maintaining ATO packages and RMF artifacts

• Strong understanding of system architecture, authorization boundaries, and control traceability

• Experience working with RMF management tools such as eMASS or Xacta

• Ability to translate security controls into actionable guidance for engineering teams

• Ability to operate independently and proactively manage RMF workstreams

• Experience supporting JSIG-aligned classified environments

• Prior experience serving as or supporting an ISSO or ISSM

• Familiarity with cloud, DevSecOps pipelines, or multi-domain security environments

• Experience working with DoD Authorizing Officials or Security Control Assessors

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility

Compensation and Benefits:

• Targeted Compensation:  145-165K base salary

• 10% 401k match, 100% immediately vested

• 100% employer-paid health, dental & vision coverage

• 100% employer-paid short and long term disability benefits

• 100% employer-paid life insurance policy

• 20 days of flexible paid time off

• 11 federal holidays and 2+ Skyward holidays

• Unlimited sick & bereavement leave events

• Company issued laptop, mobile phone and expense card

• $5,250 per year tax-exempt educational reimbursement

• $250 office set-up stipend

• $50 monthly internet stipend

• $60 monthly coffee budget ☕

• Additional discretionary benefits throughout the year

About Skyward Federal

Skyward Federal solves ultra-sensitive multi-domain challenges that others can't, primarily supporting national defense. Our mission is to enable those who protect us. We challenge the status quo and ensure our solutions have a meaningful and lasting impact to our clients' missions. We have a flexible, collaborative start-up environment, fostering innovation and teamwork. We prioritize the development of our people, knowing that our success is driven by their talent and dedication.

Skyward Core Values:

• Impact Mission - Move fast. Execute with precision. Deliver results.

• Take Initiative - Don't hesitate. Dive in. Get shit done.

• Empower People - Take point. Make a difference. Feed the team.

• Pursue Excellence - Stay curious. Keep improving. Push boundaries.