Vice President of Cybersecurity & Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

The “Vice President of Cybersecurity & Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)” is a senior executive responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining AV’s enterprise vision, strategy, and cybersecurity program to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organization’s information assets and technology resources.

The CISO provides strategic leadership for the organization’s cybersecurity function in support of both classified and unclassified defense programs. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with Department of Defense (DoD) cybersecurity requirements, advancing the organization’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) posture, implementing and maintaining alignment with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) frameworks, and ensuring adherence to applicable federal laws, regulations, and contractual obligations. Additionally, the CISO will develop and execute cybersecurity strategies that support AV’s accelerated growth, acquisition, and integration initiatives.

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), the CISO serves as the principal advisor to executive leadership and the Board of Directors on all matters related to cybersecurity, information security governance, cyber risk management, and the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), classified national security information, and other sensitive organizational assets.

Position Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

Develop and implement comprehensive cybersecurity strategy aligned with business objectives and national security requirements

Establish and maintain information security governance framework, policies, standards, and procedures

Serve as primary liaison with government customers, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), and other regulatory bodies

Provide regular briefings to the Board of Directors, CEO, and executive leadership on security posture, risks, and initiatives

Lead enterprise risk management activities related to cybersecurity and information protection

Oversee cybersecurity budget planning, resource allocation, and investment prioritization

Compliance & Regulatory Management

Ensure organizational compliance with NIST SP 800-171, CMMC 2.0, DFARS, ITAR, and other applicable regulations

Lead and maintain Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) readiness and certification efforts

Manage System Security Plan (SSP) development, Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M), and continuous monitoring programs

Oversee NIST 800-53 control implementation for classified systems and Risk Management Framework (RMF) authorization processes

Coordinate with Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Cybersecurity Program requirements

Develop and execute insider threat detection and prevention programs

Lead international cybersecurity compliance strategy, ensuring adherence to UK MoD DEFCON 658 / Def Stan 05-138 , Cyber Essentials Plus , UK/EU GDPR , and applicable international data privacy and sovereignty regulations.

Establish cross-border data transfer controls and security architectures supporting NATO, AUKUS, and Five Eyes allied defense initiatives.

Technical Security Operations

Direct enterprise security operations including Security Operations Center (SOC), incident response, and threat intelligence

Oversee implementation and management of security technologies including SIEM, EDR, DLP, IAM, and encryption solutions

Ensure secure system development lifecycle practices and DevSecOps integration

Manage vulnerability management, penetration testing, and security assessment programs

Direct cloud security architecture and controls for classified and unclassified environments

Oversee identity and access management programs including privileged access management

Oversee cybersecurity governance for Special Access Programs (SAP/SAR) , SCIF network operations, COMSEC, and TEMPEST compliance in coordination with Government Security/OPSEC teams.

Incident Response & Business Continuity

Lead cyber incident response planning, coordination, and execution

Ensure timely reporting of cyber incidents to DoD, FBI, and other required agencies per DFARS

Coordinate with legal, CIO along with executive teams during security incidents

Oversee business continuity and disaster recovery planning for critical security systems

Manage relationships with external incident response partners and forensic specialists

Third-Party & Supply Chain Security

Establish and enforce third-party risk management and vendor security assessment programs

Oversee supply chain security controls and acquisition security requirements

Ensure subcontractor cybersecurity compliance flows down through contracts

Manage security requirements for cloud service providers and managed service providers

Organization Leadership

Build, lead, and mentor high-performing information security and cybersecurity teams

Establish organizational structure spanning cybersecurity operations, governance/risk/compliance, security architecture, and program security

Foster culture of security awareness and accountability throughout the organization

Implement and maintain security education, training, and awareness programs for all personnel

Develop succession planning and talent development strategies for security organization

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Security, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or related technical field required

Master's degree in related fields is strongly preferred

Experience

Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in information security, with at least 10 years in senior leadership roles

Extensive experience in defense contracting environment with classified programs

Proven track record implementing and maintaining DoD cybersecurity compliance programs (NIST 800-171, CMMC, RMF)

Demonstrated experience managing enterprise-wide security programs in complex, multi-site organizations

Experience leading organizations through CMMC certification and FedRAMP authorization processes

Strong background in both physical and cyber security operations

Security Clearance

Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance required

Eligibility for Special Access Programs (SAP) preferred

Certifications (Required)

CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

One or more of the following: CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control)

Certifications (Preferred)

GSLC (GIAC Security Leadership Certification)

CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional)

CGEIT (Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT)

CAP (Certified Authorization Professional)

CMMC-AB Certified Professional or Provisional Assessor

Technical Knowledge & Skills

Deep understanding of NIST Cybersecurity Framework, NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-171

Expertise in CMMC 2.0 requirements and assessment processes

Knowledge of DoD Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide (SRG) and FedRAMP

Understanding of DFARS, FAR, ITAR, EAR, and related defense contracting regulations

Proficiency with security technologies: SIEM, EDR/XDR, IAM, PAM, DLP, CASB, firewall/IDS/IPS

Understanding of secure software development practices and DevSecOps methodologies

Knowledge of zero trust architecture principles and implementation

Familiarity with classified network operations and cross-domain solutions

Leadership Competencies

Strategic thinking with ability to translate security requirements into business enablement

Executive presence with proven ability to communicate complex security concepts to technical and non-technical audiences

Strong risk management and decision-making capabilities under pressure

Proven ability to influence and build consensus across organizational boundaries

Experience managing and developing diverse, geographically distributed teams

Budget management and financial acumen

Physical Demands

Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)

Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Working Conditions

Position may require up to 25% travel to company facilities, customer sites, and industry events

Occasional after-hours availability for incident response and maintenance windows

Work in both office environments and Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs)

May require access to classified information and restricted areas

Special Requirements

U.S. Citizenship Required.

Clearance Level

TS/SCI

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:

We also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

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

U.S. Citizenship required

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Worksite address

germantown, MD, 20875, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.