Senior Cybersecurity and AI Automation Lead (VA ESOM)

Kentro • Remote,

2d • Remote

About The Position

Kentro is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity and AI Automation Lead to serve as the senior cybersecurity authority and leads the AI and automation workstream. As senior cyber authority, the Lead advises ATO Managers, ISOs, and the AODR on complex authorization scenarios, validates control inheritance design across area segments, and ensures that processes, training, and reporting accurately reflect federal cybersecurity policy and best practice. As AI & Automation Lead, the role leads the AI Opportunity Assessment, designs and pilots AI-enabled process improvements, and scales AI capabilities across the enterprise — identifying standardization opportunities and labor reduction initiatives that deliver measurable enterprise value while preserving security, compliance, and federal AI policy integrity.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related technical field. An additional 10 years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement for a total of 20+ years of experience.
• 10+ years of cybersecurity experience, including at least 5 years in RMF / ATO roles and at least 3 years in automation, AI/ML, or RPA.
• Deep, hands-on knowledge of NIST SP 800-37, NIST SP 800-53, FISMA, and the control inheritance model.
• Working knowledge of federal AI policy, including the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF).
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders on authorization decisions and risk posture.
• Hands-on experience implementing AI or automation in regulated environments.
• Working knowledge of ServiceNow GRC, IRM, or CAM modules.
• Strong design and architecture skills.
• CISSP, CISM, or CGRC (formerly CAP) certification.
• US Citizen or Green card holder
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain Public Trust Clearance
• Must meet updated ID requirements: https://www.gsa.gov/technology/it-contract-vehicles-and-purchasing-programs/federal-credentialing-services/get-appointment-help/bring-required-documents
• If you do not currently meet the ID requirements outlined, you must be willing and able to update your current forms of ID in a timely manner to complete the suitability process successfully.

Nice To Haves

• AI/ML credentials (e.g., Microsoft AI certifications, Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer, AWS ML Specialty).
• ServiceNow automation / AIOps experience.
• Prior VA or federal civilian agency RMF experience.
• Experience designing or operating common control provider programs.
• Familiarity with VA-specific RMF artifacts and processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior cybersecurity subject matter expertise to the Support Cell, ATO Managers, ISOs, EndPoint Engineering, and the AODR.
• Validate and advise on the inheritance of common controls and the flow of inherited controls into area segments within the CAM Module.
• Review and approve security-relevant SOPs, transition plan content, training materials, AI pilot designs, and reporting to ensure technical accuracy and policy alignment.
• Provide senior technical authority on RMF activities including categorization, control selection, implementation, assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring as represented in the CAM Module.
• Support complex or escalated ATO matters and act as a trusted advisor to ATO Managers on risk acceptance and POA&M decisioning.
• Liaise with the AODR and security leadership on policy interpretation, control implementation strategy, and emerging cybersecurity requirements.
• Lead the AI Opportunity Assessment to identify high-value AI and automation use cases.
• Design and execute AI pilots, including evaluation criteria, success metrics, and risk controls.
• Identify standardization opportunities where AI and automation can reduce variability and labor across all VA Areas.
• Lead labor reduction initiatives, partnering with the Reporting & Metrics Lead to quantify and report benefits.
• Ensure AI use cases comply with applicable federal AI policy, NIST AI RMF guidance, security controls, and privacy requirements.
• Partner with the ServiceNow Integration Lead to operationalize AI and automation within the ServiceNow ecosystem (CAM, HAM, SAM, CMDB).
• Provide senior technical expertise on automation architecture, AI tooling, and integration with CAM workflows.
• Mentor junior team members and analysts on technical RMF, CAM, and AI/automation topics.
• Coordinate with the ServiceNow Integration Lead and Reporting & Metrics Lead to ensure dashboards and reports accurately represent control posture, authorization status, and AI/automation benefits.
• Participate in Support Cell governance forums and represent the team in cross-stakeholder cybersecurity discussions.

Benefits

• paid time off
• healthcare benefits
• supplemental benefits
• 401k including an employer match
• discount perks
• rewards
• education reimbursement for certifications, degrees, or professional development
• funds for activities – virtual and in-person – e.g., we host happy hours, holiday events, fitness & wellness events, and annual celebrations.
• charity galas/events

What This Job Offers

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