Principal Software Assessment Engineer (AHT)

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems (NGDS) is seeking a Secure Access Enablement Engineer for the DAF CLOUDworks program at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The incumbent will operate independently and serve as the direct interface between DoD security authorities—including the Designated Authorizing Official (DAO) and other Authorizing Officials (AOs)—and industry partners working under Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements. The role’s purpose is to ensure that all OTA‐contracted users, devices, and services are securely provisioned onto classified cloud platforms while maintaining full compliance with RMF, STIG, and DISA requirements.

DAF CLOUDworks is a rapidly growing secure cloud program that encompasses 10+ teams supporting information security, infrastructure development, and cloud migration. Along with operations and sustainment, DAF CLOUDworks focuses on modifying and enhancing offerings to implement new requirements, enhance functionality, increase efficiency, or lower operating/deployment. Successful candidates should have a track record as an effective communicator and problem solver who is able to develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications for a Principal Secure Access Enablement Engineer

Have one of the following:

A high school diploma with 9 years of relevant experience

A bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience

A master’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience

A PhD in with 1+ years of relevant experience

Active Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility

Able to obtain IAT Level II certification per DoD 8570.01 such as CompTIA Security+ (formerly CASP+) or CompTIA Security+ within 60 days of start date.

Demonstrated experience directly interfacing with DoD security officials (including the Designated Authorizing Official)

Strong grasp of RMF, DISA STIG/SRG, ACAS/Tenable Nessus, SCAP, eMASS/XACTA processes

Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and languages including but not limited to Ansible, Terraform, Bicep, ARM templates, Puppet, and Pulumi

Working knowledge of Cloud Service Providers (CSP) operating on government networks

Proven ability to produce executive‐level briefings, clear compliance documentation, and independent risk assessments.