Lead Security Engineer - SME

RiseMe; Suitland (MD); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Essnova Solutions is seeking an experienced Lead Security Engineer – SME to support a large-scale federal technology modernization initiative for the U.S. Census Bureau. The role is based in Suitland, MD, with a hybrid work model.

This senior position provides cybersecurity engineering across enterprise and cloud environments, with emphasis on Zero Trust Architecture, federal security frameworks, risk management, and authorization requirements.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of cybersecurity/security engineering experience.
• Experience with Zero Trust Architecture and federal security requirements.
• Familiarity with NIST SP 800-53 and NIST SP 800-37.
• Knowledge of federal security authorization/ATO processes and CSAM.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level security engineering expertise for complex enterprise environments.
• Support implementation and advancement of Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles.
• Apply federal cybersecurity and risk-management requirements to system architecture and engineering activities.
• Support security authorization and assessment activities.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, architects, developers, cloud teams, and cybersecurity stakeholders.
• Incorporate security requirements throughout system modernization and development efforts.
• Support technical security documentation and compliance efforts.
• Identify security risks and recommend appropriate technical controls and mitigation strategies.

Skills

15+ years of cybersecurity experience

Zero Trust Architecture

NIST SP 800-53

NIST SP 800-37

Security authorization/ATO processes

CSAM

Education

CISSP

CCSP

Job description

Location: Suitland, MD | Hybrid

Proposal Opportunity: This position is being recruited in support of an active federal proposal. Employment is contingent upon contract award, final customer requirements, and position availability. Candidates selected during the proposal phase may be asked to provide an updated resume and other information required for proposal submission.

About the Role

Essnova Solutions is seeking an experienced Lead Security Engineer – SME to support a large-scale federal technology modernization initiative supporting the U.S. Census Bureau.

This senior-level role will provide cybersecurity engineering expertise across modernized enterprise and cloud environments, with a particular focus on Zero Trust Architecture, federal security frameworks, risk management, and authorization requirements.

The ideal candidate brings extensive experience securing complex federal systems and translating federal cybersecurity requirements into practical technical solutions.

What You’ll Do

• Provide senior-level security engineering expertise for complex enterprise technology environments.
• Support implementation and advancement of Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles.
• Apply federal cybersecurity and risk-management requirements to system architecture and engineering activities.
• Support security authorization and assessment activities.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, architects, developers, cloud teams, and cybersecurity stakeholders.
• Incorporate security requirements throughout system modernization and development activities.
• Support technical security documentation and compliance efforts.
• Identify security risks and recommend appropriate technical controls and mitigation strategies.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant cybersecurity/security engineering experience.
• Active CISSP certification – required.
• Active CCSP certification – required.
• Demonstrated experience with:
• Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)
• NIST SP 800-53
• NIST SP 800-37
• Federal security authorization/ATO processes
• Cyber Security Assessment and Management (CSAM)
• Knowledge of federal cybersecurity requirements, including:
• Executive Order 14028
• OMB M-22-09

Preferred Qualifications

• CISM
• CISA

Work Location

This position supports the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland under a hybrid work model. Candidates must be located in the DC/MD/VA area or be willing to commute to Suitland.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Essnova Solutions, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Essnova Solutions is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.