Senior Associate - Information Assurance Specialist

Harnessing Technology to Improve Financial Stewardship

Blake Willson Group (BWG) is a fast-growing firm delivering comprehensive professional services and technology solutions to Civilian, Defense, and Intelligence Community customers. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Blake Willson Group has grown rapidly since its inception, securing consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list, a prestigious honor designated for America’s most successful companies. We are internationally recognized for quality management practices and nationally recognized as a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) training provider.

Built on our foundational values of Service to Others, Leadership, Diversity, Dependability, Integrity, and Grit, BWG commits to harnessing technology to improve financial stewardship for the welfare, defense, and security of our nation. Members of the Blake Willson Group team are passionate and enthusiastic, working towards a common goal of exceptional client support.

Job Location: 

This role will be 100% onsite in Washington, DC.

Clearance:

Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and have the ability to obtain a Public Trust Clearance.

Job Description:

In this position as a Senior Associate - Information Assurance Specialist, you will support the secure implementation and accreditation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems within federal environments. You will guide clients through the full Risk Management Framework (RMF) lifecycle, lead Authority to Operate (ATO) efforts, and ensure compliance with federal cybersecurity and privacy standards. In this position, you will also:

• Develop, update, and maintain security documentation including System Security Plans (SSPs), Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), and other ATO artifacts.
• Execute RMF tasks for RPA and AI systems from categorization through continuous monitoring.
• Coordinate Security Control Assessments (SCAs) and support evidence gathering and remediation.
• Implement and validate technical, operational, and management controls for automation technologies.
• Ensure alignment with NIST SP 800-53, 800-37, 800-171, FedRAMP, FISMA, and agency-specific guidance.
• Assess security impacts of changes to AI/RPA environments.
• Facilitate ATO/ATO-Lite processes for low-impact and hybrid automation systems.
• Monitor vulnerabilities, track POA&Ms, and drive timely remediation efforts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders including IT, privacy, and data science teams.
• Create and deliver tailored security training for RPA developers and AI engineers.
• Support security incident response and audit readiness for federal automation programs.

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• 3 years of experience administering IT security controls and ATO processes in federal RPA/AI environments.
• 2 years of experience applying NIST RMF (e.g., SP 800-53, 800-37, 800-171), supporting FedRAMP/FISMA/ATO processes, and developing security documentation for federal RPA/AI systems.
• Active CISSP, CISM, CCSP, or similar industry-recognized certification.

Desired Skills:

• Familiarity with AI/ML model governance, including bias, explainability, and data privacy considerations.
• Experience with secure DevOps/CI-CD practices and security testing for AI/RPA solutions.
• Understanding of vulnerability management tools and GRC platforms (e.g., Tenable, Nessus, eMASS, Xacta, Archer, CSAM).
• Knowledge of RPA architecture, bot lifecycle management, and scripting/automation tools (preferably UiPath).
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including during audits and incident response.

At Blake Willson Group, we believe in transparency and fairness in compensation practices. For this position, we offer a competitive salary range of $120,000 to $150,000 in the United States. Your individual salary within this range will be determined by various factors, including but not limited to your education, experience, skills, and geographic location. We also provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package, which includes major medical benefits such as dental and vision coverage, a 401(k)-contribution plan, holiday and personal time off, professional development training & certification benefits, health & wellness subsidies, paid time off for community service, and more. We value your contributions and are committed to recognizing and rewarding your performance and the value you bring to our business.

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work anticipated for this role. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required. Blake Willson Group reserves the right to modify, assign, or add job-related responsibilities as necessary. Where feasible, reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals to perform essential job functions.

Blake Willson Group is committed to maintaining a professional, respectful, and harassment-free workplace. All employment decisions are based on business needs, qualifications, and merit. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws to ensure a workplace free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact us at 202-381-0603, Ext. 3.

Blake Willson Group participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to verify authorization to work in the United States.