Security Authorization Specialist
Second Front Systems · Remote · $150,000–$175,000 (stated in the posting)
Security Authorization Specialist
Second Front Systems (2F) is seeking a detail-oriented, mission-focused Security Authorization Specialist to join our cybersecurity team. We are a fast-growing company operating at the intersection of advanced technology and national security, with a mission to accelerate the delivery of secure software to the nation’s defenders.
In this role, you will support the security authorization activities that keep our Game Warden platform and supporting systems authorized across Department of Defense environments. You will develop and maintain authorization packages, coordinate security control assessments, evaluate technical evidence, and work with engineering teams to resolve issues that could affect an authorization decision.
The Security Authorization Specialist will support systems throughout the Risk Management Framework lifecycle, from initial package development through assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring. You will work extensively in eMASS, manage DISA PPSM registrations, produce assessor-ready documentation, coordinate evidence collection, and help ensure system changes remain aligned with approved security requirements.
This role is well suited for someone who understands how DoD authorizations work in practice and can translate complex technical implementations into clear, accurate, and defensible security documentation.
Note: Candidates must reside in one of our approved hiring hubs:
- DC/Maryland/Virginia
- Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC
- Denver/Colorado Springs, CO
- Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
This is a full-time position.
What You'll Do
- Prepare, submit, and maintain security authorization packages for systems operating within Department of Defense environments.
- Convert technical designs, operational processes, and security capabilities into accurate control implementation statements and supporting documentation.
- Architect authorization records in eMASS, ensuring control responses, inherited controls, artifacts, assessment results, and system information remain complete and current.
- Establish authorization timelines and coordinate activities across system owners, engineers, assessors, government sponsors, and cybersecurity leadership.
- Organize evidence collection for control reviews, readiness activities, and formal assessments. Confirm that submitted materials directly address assessment objectives and accurately represent the system.
- Review vulnerability scans, STIG checklists, configuration results, architecture diagrams, policies, and procedures to identify gaps before they affect an authorization decision.
- Work with Product, Platform, DevSecOps, and Engineering teams to determine how cloud services, Kubernetes, containers, CI/CD pipelines, and supporting technologies satisfy security requirements.
- Track assessment findings and POA&M items from identification through closure. Coordinate remediation plans, document risk decisions, validate corrective actions, and assemble closure evidence.
- Manage the continuous monitoring cadence for assigned systems, including recurring control reviews, vulnerability reporting, patch status, IAVM compliance, POA&M reporting, and security posture updates.
- Maintain accurate DISA PPSM records for system ports, protocols, services, and data flows. Reconcile registrations with the authorization boundary, network architecture, and applicable Category Assurance List requirements.
- Prepare, submit, and maintain security authorization packages for systems operating within Department of Defense environments.
- Convert technical designs, operational processes, and security capabilities into accurate control implementation statements and supporting documentation.
- Administer authorization records in eMASS, ensuring control responses, inherited controls, artifacts, assessment results, and system information remain complete and current.
- Establish authorization timelines and coordinate activities across system owners, engineers, assessors, government sponsors, and cybersecurity leadership.
- Organize evidence collection for control reviews, readiness activities, and formal assessments, confirming that submitted materials directly address assessment objectives.
- Review vulnerability scans, STIG checklists, configuration results, architecture diagrams, policies, and procedures to identify gaps before they affect an authorization decision.
What You Bring
5-7 years of experience supporting DoD security authorization, Risk Management Framework, information assurance, security control assessment, or related cybersecurity compliance activities.
Direct involvement in preparing, assessing, or maintaining DoD authorization packages throughout the ATO and continuous monitoring lifecycle.
Hands-on proficiency with eMASS, including system registration, control documentation, artifact management, inheritance, assessment results, and package maintenance.
Practical experience with DISA PPSM and the documentation of ports, protocols, services, network boundaries, and system data flows.
Applied knowledge of NIST SP 800-37, NIST SP 800-53 Revision 4 or Revision 5, DoD RMF, and related DoD authorization guidance.
Familiarity with the DoD security ecosystem, including DISA STIGs, STIG Viewer, SCAP Compliance Checker, ACAS, IAVM requirements, the DISA Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide, and continuous monitoring expectations.
Strong technical writing skills, with experience creating control implementation statements, System Security Plans, POA&Ms, assessment responses, and evidence packages that can withstand assessor review.
Enough technical depth to understand cloud infrastructure, identity and access management, containerized workloads, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, vulnerability management, and modern software delivery practices.
The ability to analyze technical implementations and supporting evidence, recognize control gaps, and recommend practical steps to strengthen authorization readiness.
Experience managing concurrent priorities, assessment deadlines, findings, evidence requests, and stakeholder dependencies without losing attention to detail.
Clear and confident communication skills, particularly when coordinating among engineers, assessors, cybersecurity leaders, system owners, and government authorization stakeholders.
Three to five years of experience supporting DoD security authorization, Risk Management Framework, information assurance, security control assessment, or related cybersecurity compliance activities.
Direct involvement in preparing, assessing, or maintaining DoD authorization packages throughout the ATO and continuous monitoring lifecycle.
Hands-on proficiency with eMASS, including system registration, control documentation, artifact management, inheritance, assessment results, and package maintenance.
Practical experience with DISA PPSM and the documentation of ports, protocols, services, network boundaries, and system data flows.
Applied knowledge of NIST SP 800-37, NIST SP 800-53 Revision 4 or Revision 5, DoD RMF, and related DoD authorization guidance.
Familiarity with the DoD security ecosystem, including DISA STIGs, STIG Viewer, SCAP Compliance Checker, ACAS, IAVM requirements, and the DISA Cloud Computing Security Requirements
Active DOD Security clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required for this role.
Preferred
- Experience supporting DoD Impact Level 4 or Impact Level 5 cloud authorizations.
- Experience applying the DISA Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide or supporting agency-specific authorization and reciprocity processes.
- Experience supporting authorizations for cloud platforms, software-as-a-service products, platform-as-a-service environments, or DevSecOps solutions.
- Familiarity with GRC and evidence-automation platforms such as Xacta, RegScale, Drata, or comparable tools.
- Experience configuring GRC integrations or creating reusable evidence-collection workflows.
- Exposure to infrastructure as code, including Terraform, and cloud-native monitoring or observability tools used to produce continuous control evidence.
- Experience supporting Security Control Assessments, independent validation activities, or government authorization reviews.
- Previous work in cleared or classified environments involving government security, assessment, and authorization stakeholders.
- A strong interest in national security and Second Front Systems’ mission to accelerate the secure delivery of mission-critical software to the U.S. government.
The base salary for this position will fall between $150,000 and $175,000. Your ultimate compensation will be determined by professional background, technical proficiency, seniority, and regional cost factors. Furthermore, this opportunity includes potential eligibility for equity awards and discretionary bonuses, rounding out a comprehensive total rewards offering.
Success at 2F Looks Like:
- A proactive and solutions oriented mindset
- Viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth
- Having a bias toward action and tangible, measurable results
- Being team-oriented with a focus on personal responsibility and autonomy
Perks & Benefits:
This role is a full time position. As a public benefit corporation, we’re a team of purpose-driven trailblazers transforming the future of U.S. national security. We hire the best to do their best and, as such, we are committed to providing the perks and benefits you need to be successful—both in- and outside the workplace.
Perks of Joining Our Team:
- Competitive salary
- 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
- 401(k) with a 3% company contribution
- Comprehensive wellness benefits, including a One Medical membership, mental health resources, family planning support, and more
- Equity incentive plan
- New hire technology and home office stipend
- Annual professional development stipend
- Flexible paid time off, plus all federal holidays
- Generous parental leave
- Flexible remote work opportunities
- Employee referral bonus program
Visit our careers page to learn more.
Who We Are:
Second Front Systems (2F) is a public-benefit software company powering software for the free world. We eliminate the friction that slows innovation, enabling faster, more secure development and deployment of software across government and regulated networks. Built by national security veterans and backed by top-tier venture capital, our platform is trusted by the world’s leading organizations to cut deployment timelines from years to weeks. We move fast, solve hard problems, and deliver trusted capabilities where they’re needed most. Our work strengthens global security and gives the United States and its allies a lasting competitive advantage. Learn more at secondfront.com.
One last thing:
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Are you ready to join our team:
To apply, click the “Apply for This Job” button at the top or bottom of this page and complete the application form. This position will remain open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
State notices:
Colorado:
In accordance with Colorado law, applicants may redact their date of birth, dates of attendance, and dates of graduation from any uploaded documents.
Maryland:
Under Maryland law, an employer may not require or demand, as a condition of employment, prospective employment, or continued employment, that an individual submit to or take a polygraph examination or similar test. An employer who violates this law is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine not exceeding $100.