Lead Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) - Post-Quantum Cryptography

Lumen is the trusted network for the AI‑powered world, connecting people, data, and applications through our expansive fiber network and connected ecosystem. We enable secure, high‑performance connectivity across cloud, edge, and AI workloads for enterprises, governments, and communities.

At Lumen, you’ll work on infrastructure customers rely on today and build for what’s next, where performance, security, and resilience matter.

This is a high accountability environment where bold ideas drive real innovation for our customers, partners, and industry. The work is challenging, expectations are clear, and trust is built into how we operate. If you’re ready to take ownership, deliver meaningful impact, and help shape the future of AI‑ready connectivity, join us today.

The Role

Lumen is seeking a Lead Information Security Engineer (ISSO) with deep expertise in Risk Management Framework (RMF) execution and a strong focus on Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) strategy, compliance, and implementation. In this role, you will serve as the primary security authority for assigned systems, ensuring successful Authorization to Operate (ATO) outcomes while helping customers prepare cryptographic environments for the emerging quantum threat landscape.

As a technical leader, you will drive the integration of quantum-resilient security principles into system authorizations, architectures, and operational processes. You will partner with engineering, product, and customer stakeholders to evaluate cryptographic risk, assess emerging standards, support cryptographic modernization efforts, and ensure security compliance across federal and highly regulated environments.

Location

This is a remote position open to candidates based anywhere in the U.S.

The Main Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary ISSO for assigned systems, owning end-to-end RMF execution and supporting successful ATO outcomes.
• Lead the security assessment and integration of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) capabilities within customer environments, ensuring alignment with evolving federal guidance, NIST standards, and agency-specific requirements.
• Execute the full RMF lifecycle, including categorization, control implementation, assessment readiness, authorization activities, and continuous monitoring.
• Develop, maintain, and validate security authorization artifacts, including System Security Plans (SSPs), POA&Ms, cryptographic inventories, and implementation evidence.
• Evaluate existing cryptographic architectures and identify risks associated with legacy public key infrastructure, encryption protocols, key management solutions, and certificate ecosystems.
• Support cryptographic modernization initiatives, including crypto-agility planning, hybrid cryptographic implementations, migration roadmaps, and PQC transition strategies.
• Assess emerging technologies, products, managed services, and architectures for security, compliance, quantum-readiness, and implementation feasibility within authorized customer environments.
• Partner with engineering, operations, and program teams to drive remediation of vulnerabilities, security findings, cryptographic weaknesses, and compliance gaps.

What We Look For in a Candidate

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience in cybersecurity, information assurance, governance, risk, and compliance, including direct responsibility for RMF execution and ATO support.
• Strong working knowledge of NIST RMF (SP 800-37), NIST SP 800-53, and federal authorization frameworks including FedRAMP and FISMA.
• Experience evaluating cryptographic implementations, public key infrastructure (PKI), key management systems, digital certificates, and encryption technologies.
• Knowledge of Post-Quantum Cryptography concepts, quantum threats to traditional cryptography, crypto-agility principles, and emerging quantum-resistant algorithms.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Post-Quantum Cryptography readiness assessments, cryptographic inventories, migration planning, or cryptographic modernization initiatives.
• Knowledge of NIST PQC standardization efforts, quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms, and emerging federal guidance related to quantum security preparedness.
• Experience conducting security risk assessments and translating regulatory and technical requirements into actionable security guidance.
• Experience developing and maintaining authorization artifacts, including SSPs, POA&Ms, security assessments, and continuous monitoring documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex security and cryptographic concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred:

• Experience supporting federal government, Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, or other highly regulated organizations.
• Experience assessing cryptographic risks within cloud, hybrid, telecommunications, SaaS, or large-scale enterprise environments.
• Experience with security architecture reviews, cryptographic design reviews, and evaluation of vendor PQC capabilities and roadmaps.
• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, CGRC, CISA, Security+, or equivalent industry-recognized credentials.
• Familiarity with secure communications technologies, certificate management, HSMs, key lifecycle management, and enterprise PKI architectures.
• Proven ability to influence enterprise security strategy, drive cross-functional initiatives, and serve as a trusted advisor on quantum-resilient security solutions.
• Demonstrated experience leading and supporting the accreditation of Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) solutions, including development, coordination, and submission of CSfC Registration Packages and supporting artifacts through the National Security
• Agency (NSA) approval process

Security Requirements

• US citizenship required.
• The capability to meet the suitability requirements for a GSA public trust position is required.

Compensation

Requisition #: 342682

Life at Lumen

Life at Lumen is human and connected, even in a fast moving, AI‑focused organization. We set clear expectations and trust people to meet them. With real support and shared accountability, teams collaborate better, move faster, and deliver meaningful outcomes. 

Our Lumen 8 behaviors guide how we interact, make decisions, and work together, shaping a culture built to perform and win.  

To learn more about Life at Lumen and how we live the Lumen 8, please visit:  
https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/life-at-lumen

Background Screening

If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page. Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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Disclaimer

The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions.

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