Compliance ATO Architect

steampunk • McLean, VA

20d

About The Position

Overview The Compliance ATO Architect serves as a strategic technical and governance leader responsible for guiding systems through the full Authorization to Operate (ATO) process within federal environments. This role combines deep understanding of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Risk Management Framework (RMF), security architecture, and cloud technologies to ensure systems are designed, implemented, and documented in accordance with federal security standards and agency-specific requirements. The Compliance ATO Architect partners closely with engineering, security, cloud, and compliance teams to translate controls into actionable architecture, develop required documentation, and ensure readiness for assessments and ongoing compliance activities. Contributions Responsibilities include: Lead and manage the full ATO lifecycle for cloud and on-prem systems, ensuring compliance with NIST RMF, FedRAMP, and agency-specific requirements. Design secure, compliant architectural patterns and guide engineering teams in implementing them. Collaborate with development, platform, and infrastructure teams to ensure systems meet security control baselines. Create, review, and update ATO documentation, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and audit readiness. Conduct gap assessments, review security evidence, and coordinate remediation efforts. Work with Information System Security Officers (ISSOs), system owners, security assessors, and Authorizing Officials to support risk determinations throughout the ATO process. Implement continuous monitoring strategies and ensure ongoing compliance. Advise leadership on risk posture, architectural tradeoffs, and compliance impacts across systems and services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field, OR equivalent experience.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• 8+ years of experience in cybersecurity, security architecture, or compliance supporting federal or regulated environments.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience leading systems through the full Authorization to Operate (ATO) lifecycle in accordance with NIST RMF or FedRAMP.
• Deep knowledge of NIST 800-53 security controls, FISMA requirements, and continuous monitoring practices.
• Experience architecting secure solutions in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP, and/or OCI), including identity management, network security, boundary protection, logging/monitoring, and encryption strategies.
• Proven ability to translate compliance and security requirements into actionable technical architecture guidance for engineering, cloud, and development teams.
• Experience creating and maintaining ATO documentation, including System Security Plans (SSPs), Security Assessment Reports (SARs), Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms), Incident Response Plans, Contingency Plans, policies, and related artifacts.
• Experience coordinating with ISSOs, Information System Security Engineers (ISSEs), Security Control Assessors (SCAs), PMs, and Authorizing Officials throughout the ATO lifecycle.
• Understanding of Zero Trust principles and secure-by-design architectural approaches.
• Strong ability to evaluate security evidence, conduct gap analyses, and drive remediation plans to closure.
• Experience with compliance automation tools (e.g., Splunk, Prisma, ConMon tools, OpenSCAP, AWS Security Hub, Azure Security Center).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex compliance requirements to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant certifications, such as: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) Certified Authorization Professional (CAP) Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) AWS, Azure, GCP, or OCI cloud security certifications
• Experience leading ATOs for large-scale, mission-critical federal systems.
• Experience performing or supporting security assessments (SCA).
• Knowledge of DevSecOps practices and how to embed compliance into secure pipelines.
• Knowledge of automation scripts or IaC tools (CloudFormation, Terraform, Ansible).

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the full ATO lifecycle for cloud and on-prem systems, ensuring compliance with NIST RMF, FedRAMP, and agency-specific requirements.
• Design secure, compliant architectural patterns and guide engineering teams in implementing them.
• Collaborate with development, platform, and infrastructure teams to ensure systems meet security control baselines.
• Create, review, and update ATO documentation, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and audit readiness.
• Conduct gap assessments, review security evidence, and coordinate remediation efforts.
• Work with Information System Security Officers (ISSOs), system owners, security assessors, and Authorizing Officials to support risk determinations throughout the ATO process.
• Implement continuous monitoring strategies and ensure ongoing compliance.
• Advise leadership on risk posture, architectural tradeoffs, and compliance impacts across systems and services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level