Senior Cybersecurity and AI Automation Lead (VA ESOM)

Overview

Thank you for considering IT Concepts dba Kentro, where innovation drives opportunity and collaboration leads to success. Our dynamic community of experts is fully committed to advancing our customers' missions, fostering professional growth, and making a positive impact on our communities.         

By joining our supportive community, you will find that Kentro is dedicated to your personal and professional development. Together, we can drive meaningful change, spark innovation, and achieve extraordinary milestones.

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.

Location: This position can be performed remotely within the United States and will support Eastern Time working hours.

Responsibilities

Senior Cybersecurity Authority

• 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.

AI & Automation Leadership

• 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.

Cross-Team Integration & Mentorship

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

 Preferred Qualifications:  

• 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.

Clearance Requirement:

• 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. 

Benefits

The Company

We believe in generating success collaboratively, enabling long-term mission success, and building trust for the next challenge. With you as our partner, let’s solve challenges, think innovatively, and maximize impact. As a valued member of our team, you have the unique opportunity to work in a diverse range of technology and business career paths, all while supporting our nation and delivering innovative technology solutions. We are a close community of experts that pride ourselves on creating an environment defined by teamwork, dedication, and excellence.

We hold three ISO certifications (27001:2013, 20000-1:2011, 9001:2015), two CMMI ML 3 ratings (DEV and SVC) and CMMC Level 2 Certification.

Industry Recognition

Growth | Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies, DC Metro List Fastest Growing; Washington Business Journal: Fastest Growing Companies, Top Performing Small Technology Companies in Greater D.C.

Culture | Northern Virginia Technology Council Tech 100 Honoree; Virginia Best Place to Work; Washington Business Journal: Best Places to Work, Corporate Diversity Index Winner – Mid-Size Companies, Companies Owned by People of Color; Department of Labor’s HireVets for our work helping veterans transition; SECAF Award of Excellence finalist; Victory Military Friendly Brand; Virginia Values Veterans (V3); Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Corporate Breath Award

Benefits

We offer competitive benefits package including paid time off, healthcare benefits, supplemental benefits, 401k including an employer match, discount perks, rewards, and more.  We invest in our employees – Every employee is eligible for education reimbursement for certifications, degrees, or professional development.  Reimbursement amounts may fluctuate due to IRS limitations. We want you to grow as an expert and a leader and offer flexibility for you to take a course, complete a certification, or other professional growth and networking. We are committed to supporting your curiosity and sustaining a culture that prioritizes commitment to continuous professional development.

We work hard; we play hard. Kentro is committed to incorporating fun into every day. We dedicate funds for activities – virtual and in-person – e.g., we host happy hours, holiday events, fitness & wellness events, and annual celebrations. In alignment with our commitment to our communities, we also host and attend charity galas/events. We believe in appreciating your commitment and building a positive workspace for you to be creative, innovative, and happy.

Commitment Equal Opportunity Employment & VEVRAA

Kentro is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Kentro is strongly committed to compliance with VEVRAA and other applicable federal, state, and local laws governing equal employment opportunity. We have developed comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure our hiring practices align with these requirements.

As part of our VEVRAA compliance efforts, Kentro has established an equal opportunity plan outlining our commitment to recruiting, hiring, and advancing protected veterans. This plan is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its effectiveness.

We encourage protected veterans to self-identify during the application process. This information is strictly confidential and will only be used for reporting and compliance purposes as required by law. Providing this information is voluntary and will not impact your employment eligibility.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity extends beyond legal compliance. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees, including protected veterans, are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

How to Apply

To apply to Kentro Positions- Please click on the job link and then click the blue “Apply” button at the top right of Job Description. Please upload your resume and complete all the application steps. You must fully submit the application for Kentro to consider you for a position.  If you need alternative application methods, please email careers@kentro.us and request assistance.  

Accommodations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you need to discuss reasonable accommodations, please email careers@kentro.us.  

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