Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

About Smack Technologies Smack Technologies builds AI-driven planning and simulation software used to support large-scale defense and national security operations. Our platform helps coordinate complex missions by bringing together data, simulation, and machine learning to support decision-making at the campaign level. We are growing our government and defense business and are looking for a CISO to lead cybersecurity, compliance, and IT as the company scales. Role Overview The Chief Information Security Officer will lead Smack’s cybersecurity strategy, governance, and compliance posture as we expand into government and defense programs. This role is both strategic and hands-on. You will build and lead the security and IT teams, define the company’s security program, and ensure alignment with DoD and government security requirements while supporting rapid product development. Responsibilities Security & IT Leadership Build and lead Smack’s cybersecurity and IT functions, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management Define team structure, roles, and priorities as the company grows Establish scalable processes, tooling, and operational practices Security Strategy Define and maintain the company’s enterprise security strategy Establish security policies, standards, and risk management practices Advise executive leadership on cybersecurity risks and tradeoffs Government & Compliance Lead alignment with DoD and government security frameworks including: NIST SP 800-171 / 800-172 CMMC DFARS cybersecurity clauses FedRAMP-adjacent requirements Support ATO-related activities and coordinate with government stakeholders Serve as the internal authority on cybersecurity for government programs Product & Architecture Security Review system architectures, cloud deployments, and data flows Guide secure software development for AI/ML systems Partner with engineering to balance security with speed and performance Incident Response & Operations Establish incident response plans and lead response efforts Oversee vulnerability management and monitoring Third-Party Risk Manage security risks across vendors, partners, and subcontractors Support cybersecurity due diligence for government contracts and partnerships External Engagement Represent Smack in discussions with customers, auditors, and assessors Support proposals and customer engagements from a security perspective Required Qualifications 10+ years in cybersecurity, information assurance, or security engineering Experience supporting U.S. Government or defense programs Strong knowledge of NIST, DFARS, and CMMC requirements Experience in AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, or similar environments Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical controls U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a security clearance Preferred Qualifications Active security clearance Previous CISO, Deputy CISO, or senior security leadership experience Experience supporting ATO processes Familiarity with AI/ML system security Experience in startups or high-growth technology companies Experience building and scaling security and IT teams What Success Looks Like Strong credibility with government customers and partners Security enables product development rather than slowing it down Compliance requirements are met efficiently and predictably Engineering and leadership view security as a trusted partner Why Join Smack High-impact leadership role with executive visibility Opportunity to shape security at a growing defense technology company Mission-focused work at the intersection of AI and national security #J-18808-Ljbffr