Senior GRC Specialist

About Aquia

Aquia is a Veteran-founded digital services firm that helps the government modernize and secure its systems and processes. Named the “#1 Best Remote Startup to Work For in 2025” by Built In and a certified “Great Place to Work” for five years in a row, we prioritize outcomes over outputs- supporting work that benefits millions of Americans.

The systems we modernize help Veterans access their earned benefits in days instead of weeks, enable investigators to double their health care fraud investigations, and help civil servants achieve system authorizations in roughly a quarter of the time. Our contributions earned us recognition as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year in 2024.

We hire people who take ownership, raise the bar, and lift up those around them while they do it.

About the Role

All applicants must have an active Top Secret clearance to be considered for this role. Please do not apply if you do not have active Top Secret clearance.

We are seeking a Senior GRC Specialist to own governance, risk, and compliance activities across federal IT and cybersecurity programs. This role sits at the intersection of policy, operations, and accountability, requiring someone who can manage the rigor of FISMA compliance and RMF-driven authorization programs while also keeping a sharp eye on service delivery metrics, SLA performance, and audit readiness.

This is a senior individual contributor role for a practitioner who is equally comfortable drafting POA&M responses, engaging with auditors, and producing operational reporting that gives leadership clear visibility into risk and program health.

What You'll Do

Own and manage POA&M lifecycle activities: tracking findings, coordinating remediation, validating closure, and maintaining accurate, audit-ready documentation

Support FISMA compliance programs, including evidence collection, continuous monitoring, and coordination with system owners and ISSOs/ISSMs

Apply NIST SP 800-53 and NIST SP 800-37 (RMF) to assess control implementation, support authorization activities, and maintain system security postures

Manage and report on SLAs and availability metrics for IT and cybersecurity operations; surface trends, flag risks, and drive accountability against commitments

Develop and maintain operational reporting for internal leadership and government stakeholders — translating compliance and operational data into clear, actionable insight

Lead audit readiness activities: preparing teams and documentation for internal reviews, independent assessments (3PAO/IA), and government audits

Identify gaps in control implementation or operational processes and recommend practical, risk-informed mitigation strategies

Support continuous monitoring programs and contribute to ongoing ATO/cATO sustainment

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, or a related field, with 6+ years of relevant experience; equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience considered

Active Top Secret (TS) clearance required : candidates without an active TS clearance will not be considered; sponsorship is not available for this role

U.S. citizenship required, must be located in the US.

Demonstrated experience supporting FISMA compliance programs in federal environments

Working knowledge of NIST SP 800-53 (control families, implementation, and assessment)

Working knowledge of NIST SP 800-37 (Risk Management Framework) and the ATO/authorization process

Hands-on experience managing POA&M lifecycle: tracking, remediation coordination, evidence validation, and closure

Experience preparing for and supporting federal audits and security assessments, including evidence packaging, stakeholder coordination, and finding response

Experience managing SLAs and availability metrics in IT service delivery or cybersecurity operations environments

Ability to develop and maintain operational reporting that communicates performance and risk posture to technical and executive audiences

Experience producing clear, accurate reporting on cybersecurity operations, compliance status, and service health for government and internal stakeholders

Desired Qualifications

Experience with eMASS or similar GRC/authorization tracking platforms

Familiarity with continuous monitoring (ConMon) program management and reporting

Experience working alongside ISSOs, ISSMs, and Authorizing Officials in the RMF process

Knowledge of FedRAMP, DoD CC SRG, or agency-specific overlays (e.g., HHS, DoD, DHS)

Experience with ITSM platforms (ServiceNow, Jira) for tracking findings and operational workflows

Relevant certifications: CISSP, CISM, CAP/CGRC, Security+, or equivalent

  Remote - USA $125,000 — $150,000 USD

Benefits

Premium health care plans (90% employer-paid)

Employee stock plan

100% 401k match (up to IRS annual max)

Generous PTO package

Personal training and development budget

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Aquia Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any federal, state, or local protected class.