AMERICAN SYSTEMS, a 100% employee-owned federal contractor, is seeking a highly experienced Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) to support a Special Access Program (SAP) in Arlington, VA.
This role is suited for an experienced security engineer who combines deep JSIG and RMF expertise with hands-on security assessment experience across both Linux and Windows systems in highly restricted environments. The ideal candidate understands security controls at an engineering level and can author, tailor, and defend documentation without reliance on automated RMF tools.
Responsibilities:As an Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) at AMERICAN SYSTEMS, you will:
Design and implement enterprise-level security architectures for SAP systems
Apply JSIG requirements to system authorization, control implementation, and documentation
Manually develop RMF/JSIG authorization artifacts, including SSPs, control narratives, POA&Ms, and supporting evidence
Perform hands-on security assessments on Linux and Windows systems, including command-line audits, compliance scans, log review, and control validation
Analyze scan results, identify security gaps, and support remediation planning and execution
Validate and implement host-based firewall and security configurations in coordination with system administrators
Manage and track POA&Ms through mitigation, remediation, or risk acceptance
Ensure system compliance through continuous monitoring of controls, procedures, and documentation
Identify security deficiencies and provide actionable remediation recommendations
Support system recovery and security oversight following outages or incidents
Participate in change management activities, assessing security impacts to SAP systems
Support security investigations, incident response, and remediation activities
Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate security requirements into system design and production releases
Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 10–11 years of relevant experience, or
Master’s degree with 8–10 years of relevant experience
Minimum 5 years of experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale security solutions with hands-on security assessment experience across Linux systems, including command-line validation
DoD 8140 IAT Level III–equivalent certification (e.g., SecurityX, CISSP, CCNP Security, CISA, GCED, GCIH, or CCSP)
Demonstrated experience supporting Special Access Programs (SAP)
Working knowledge of JSIG and its application to RMF authorization
Proven experience authoring RMF/JSIG artifacts by hand, without reliance on automated RMF tools (eMASS, Xacta, etc.)
Strong background in RMF, ICD 503, NIST SP 800-53, DCID 6/3, or current DoD authorization practices
Founded in 1975, AMERICAN SYSTEMS is one of the largest employee-owned companies in the United States, with approximately 1,400 employees nationwide. Based in the Washington, DC, suburb of Chantilly, VA, the company provides systems engineering, technical and managed services to government and private sector customers. AMERICAN SYSTEMS was named “Contractor of the Year” at the Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards in October, 2007.