Cybersecurity SME

Akima; Rockville, Northern (MD, KY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Akima Mission Optimization (AMO) currently seeks a Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert to support DOE mission objectives through advanced cybersecurity assessments, risk analysis, and modeling. This role emphasizes expert guidance on controls, remediation, and strategic cybersecurity initiatives, with a focus on enterprise protection and policy alignment.

The position involves collaboration with OCIO teams, emphasis on secure IT service delivery, and potential Top-Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or four years of equivalent professional experience.
• 8–10 years of experience in cybersecurity, cyber operations, cyber risk analysis, modeling and simulation, or related fields.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more specialized cybersecurity domains.
• Strong understanding of federal cybersecurity frameworks (NIST RMF, NIST SP 800-53).
• Ability to solve complex problems and provide actionable security recommendations.
• Experience contributing to cybersecurity strategy, policy, or program development.
• Strong written communication skills for technical reports and policy papers.
• Ability to obtain Top-Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of security and privacy controls for effectiveness and alignment with DOE requirements.
• Provide expert analysis on deficiencies, determining severity and remediation strategies.
• Prepare assessment reports with findings, risk evaluations, and recommendations for leadership.
• Reassess remediated controls to validate effectiveness and sustainability.
• Evaluate system-specific and inherited controls as part of continuous monitoring.
• Contribute insight into performance metrics and enterprise cybersecurity initiatives.
• Analyze complex operations to support decision-making and resource allocation.
• Develop modeling-based decision-support systems and contribute to policy development.

Skills

Cybersecurity

Cyber Operations

Risk Analysis

Modeling & Simulation

Forensics

Reverse Engineering

Technical Reporting

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Responsibilities

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) enables the Department of Energy (DOE) mission through the implementation of enterprise-wide policies, standards, and IT services that support mission needs, strengthen cybersecurity, balance risk with innovation, and ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources. The OCIO is dedicated to advancing cybersecurity maturity across the Department by enhancing IT service delivery, optimizing performance, and proactively protecting DOE information systems.

The Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert (SME) plays a critical role in supporting this mission by applying advanced technical expertise, analytic capabilities, and domain-specific knowledge to assess cybersecurity controls, guide strategic decision-making, resolve complex security issues, and strengthen DOE’s enterprise cybersecurity posture.

Assessment & Authorization–Aligned Duties

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of security and privacy controls to determine their effectiveness, including correct implementation, operational behavior, and alignment with DOE security and privacy requirements.
• Provide expert analysis on deficiencies identified during control assessments, determining severity, mission impact, and appropriate remediation strategies.
• Prepare detailed assessment reports outlining findings, risk evaluations, and recommendations, and present results to Team Leaders and senior stakeholders.
• Reassess remediated controls to validate that corrective actions are effective and sustainably implemented.
• Evaluate system-specific and inherited controls as part of DOE’s continuous monitoring strategy.
• Contribute expert insight into performance metrics, deliverables, and enterprise-level cybersecurity improvement initiatives.

Advanced SME Duties

• Analyze complex operational interactions across military, governmental, or business systems to provide a quantitative and rational basis for cybersecurity-related decision-making and resource allocation.
• Utilize advanced modeling, simulation, statistical analysis, engineering techniques, and operational mathematics to develop sophisticated solutions for cybersecurity and information assurance challenges.
• Support requirements development, conceptualization, design, testing, verification/validation, documentation, and implementation of modeling and simulation-based decision-support systems.
• Serve as a recognized expert in specialized domains such as:
  • Cyber Risk Analysis
  • Cyber Forensics
  • Reverse Engineering
  • Cyber Hunt Operations
• Provide high-level technical expertise in all aspects of cybersecurity, information assurance, and cyber operations.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve complex cybersecurity issues spanning multiple domains and operational environments.
• Assist senior OCIO staff in shaping enterprise cyber strategy, informing policy development, and contributing to strategic cybersecurity initiatives.
• Provide expert input to white papers, position papers, and documentation supporting DOE cyber policy, priorities, and modernization efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or four (4) years of equivalent professional experience.
• 8–10 years of experience in cybersecurity, cyber operations, cyber risk analysis, modeling and simulation, or related technical fields.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more specialized cybersecurity domains (risk analysis, forensics, reverse engineering, cyber hunt, etc.).
• Advanced proficiency in technical disciplines such as mathematics, statistical analysis, operational modeling, engineering methods, or scientific computing.
• Strong understanding of federal cybersecurity frameworks, including NIST RMF and NIST SP 800-53.
• Proven ability to solve highly complex problems, interpret technical data, and develop actionable security recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to cybersecurity strategy, policy, or program development.
• Strong written communication skills, especially in preparation of technical reports, assessment documentation, and strategic papers.
• Ability to obtain Top-Secret clearance.

This position is contingent upon contract award and funding. Applicants selected may be offered the position; however, they cannot begin work until the contract has been awarded and funding has been confirmed.

Job ID

2026-25513

Work Type

Remote

Pay Range

$140,000 - $185,000

Benefits

Regular - The company offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) and a range of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time and part-time employees.

Company Description

Work Where it Matters

Akima Mission Optimization (AMO), an Akima company, is not just another federal logistics contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.

At AMO, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.

For our shareholders

AMO provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.

For our government customers

AMO delivers innovative administrative support services that streamline operations, and enhance productivity.

As an AMO employee

You will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.