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Authorization and Accreditation Lead

AeroVironment

AeroVironment

Chicago, IL, USA
USD 140k-170k / year
Posted on Dec 20, 2025

Worker Type

Regular


Job Description

Summary

The primary role of the Authorization and Accreditation Lead is to serve as the crucial bridge between technical teams, program leadership, and security policy, driving compliance and continuous monitoring for mission-critical systems. In this role, the successful candidate will perform authorization and accreditation duties for the program to include completing all processes and procedures as required for system compliance and security verification and controls.

Position Responsibilities

  • Lead all phases of the RMF (Prepare, Categorize, Select, Implement, Assess, Authorize, Monitor) for information systems.

  • Developing, reviewing, and maintaining essential security artifacts (e.g., System Security Plans, POA&Ms, Risk Assessments).

  • Collaborate with engineers, developers, system owners, and leadership.

  • Ensuring adherence to federal mandates (NIST 800-53, 800-171, ICD 503, FISMA) and Sponsor specific policies.

  • Conduct assessments, tracking vulnerabilities, and managing remediation efforts.

  • Brief leadership and AOs on system security posture and authorization status, leading to a final "Authorization to Operate" (ATO) decision.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

  • Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, or Computer Engineering.

  • Demonstrated five (5) years experience of direct combined experience in IT systems administration, cybersecurity compliance, IT system troubleshooting, and incident response.

  • Demonstrated six (6) years experience in a role such as Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE), accrediting Sponsor programs of similar scope and complexity.

  • Experience with completing new system(s) authorization and accreditation through the Sponsor’s Authorization and Accreditation (A&A) processes, procedures, security requirements, and systems.

  • Experience in security policy, counterintelligence, and security controls.

  • An active TS/SCI with polygraph

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

  • Certification on AWS or equivalent cloud technology.

  • Certification in Security +. Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP). Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or equivalent.

SALARY RANGE: $140,000 to $170,000

The AV pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.


Clearance Level

Top Secret with Poly

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR