Chief Information Officer (CIO) - Defense Sector / Cleared Candidate

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Chief Information Officer (CIO) – Defense Sector / Cleared Candidate

Company: Global Defense, Inc. (GDI)
Location: Hybrid (50% Remote / 50% On-Site – U.S.-based)
Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire / Fractional (Initial Part-Time Engagement)

About GDI

Global Defense, Inc. is an emerging defense technology company focused on securing and modernizing mission-critical systems for government and national defense. As a pre-revenue startup, GDI is assembling a leadership team that combines technical depth, defense-sector experience, and startup agility to drive innovation in the secure systems domain.

We’re seeking a Chief Information Officer (CIO) with active or recently held DoD security clearance and government contracting experience to help architect and secure the company’s IT and data infrastructure as we prepare for program execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee GDI’s IT architecture, infrastructure, and cybersecurity posture in alignment with DoD, NIST, and CMMC standards.
• Lead the design of secure data management and communication systems across classified and unclassified environments.
• Manage vendor relationships and ensure technology solutions meet defense compliance and operational readiness.
• Partner with leadership to build scalable governance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
• Support upcoming DoD contracting and readiness efforts , ensuring systems meet audit and accreditation requirements.
• Provide hands-on leadership for cloud (AWS GovCloud / Azure Government), identity management, and information assurance strategy.
• Serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on technology roadmap, security priorities, and infrastructure investments.

Qualifications

• Active or recently held DoD clearance (Secret or above) required.
• 10+ years of IT leadership experience in defense, intelligence, or federal contracting.
• Deep understanding of DFARS, NIST 800-171, and CMMC 2.0 compliance frameworks.
• Experience architecting and maintaining secure, hybrid environments (SIPR/NIPR, GovCloud, Zero Trust) .
• Proven record of leading small, high-performance teams or startup operations.
• Strong communication and executive presentation skills.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Compensation & Structure

• Initial engagement: Part-time (~10–15 hours per week)
• Location: 50% remote / 50% on-site (location flexible within U.S., travel expected as needed)
• Compensation: Hourly or retainer (negotiable)
• Growth path: Option to expand into full-time executive leadership role as GDI enters contract performance phase

Why Join Now

This is a ground-floor opportunity to shape the technical and security foundation of a defense startup —building infrastructure, compliance readiness, and cyber posture from day one. You’ll play a direct role in positioning GDI for long-term mission success with the Department of Defense and allied partners.

If you’re a seasoned IT leader with the clearance, experience, and passion to help stand up a secure, mission-ready company, we’d love to hear from you.

To Apply:
Submit your resume and a short note describing your clearance status, relevant DoD/government experience, and preferred availability.