SME Systems Engineer (Cloud PKI)

GovCIO; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

GovCIO seeks a SME Systems Engineer for Credential Management (CM) with a focus on Cloud Credential & PKI to support USCG ICAM modernization. You will design, engineer, and deploy identity-centric access controls across legacy and cloud environments in a hybrid Alexandria, VA setting.

Requirements include DoD 8570 IAT II or higher, federated identity knowledge (SAML/OAuth/OIDC, AD/LDAP), CAC/Pki validation experience, and applying NIST SP 800-207 Zero Trust; active Secret clearance preferred.

Qualifications

• DoD 8570 IAT II or higher certification required or equivalent.
• Deep understanding of federated identity concepts (SAML, OAuth, OIDC) and AD/LDAP.
• Experience with CAC authentication and PKI certificate validation.
• Familiarity with Zero Trust guidelines (NIST SP 800-207) in enterprise networks.

Responsibilities

• Lead modernization of legacy access controls into secure ICAM solutions.
• Manage enterprise directories, federation, authentication, and SSO protocols.
• Architect identity lifecycles, provisioning workflows, and privilege controls.
• Design and deploy Zero Trust identity across networks.
• Configure PKI systems, credentials, and authenticators.
• Implement access controls including MFA, SSO, and PAM.
• Build federated identity services for partner interoperability.
• Perform root cause analysis, privilege audits, and tuning.
• Develop interfaces, data flows, and compliance documentation.
• Provide engineering ownership across Cloud Credential & PKI; DigiCert Platform.

Skills

DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher

Federated identity concepts (SAML, OID

CAC authentication & PKI

NIST SP 800-207 Zero Trust

Education

High School Diploma with 10+ years experience

Tools

DigiCert Platform

PKI & HSMs

SailPoint

Okta

Microsoft Entra ID

Ping Identity

Power BI

Job description

Overview

GovCIO is currently hiring a highly experienced SME Systems Engineer specializing in Credential Management (CM) with a primary focus on the Cloud Credential & Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) product area. This technical role supports critical Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) modernization activities for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). This position focuses on designing, engineering, and executing secure, identity-centric access control frameworks across legacy and modern enterprise architectures. This position will be located in Alexandria, VA, and will be a hybrid position.

Responsibilities

The SME Systems Engineer / ICAM Engineer will serve as a primary technical authority for the enterprise identity management and access control framework. Core responsibilities include:

• Lead Modernize legacy access controls into robust, secure ICAM solutions.


• Manage enterprise directories, federation, authentication, authorization, and SSO protocols.


• Architect identity lifecycles, user provisioning workflows, and privilege management controls.


• Design and deploy strict Zero Trust identity principles (NIST SP 800-207) across network hubs.


• Configure and manage enterprise-grade PKI systems, credentials, and authenticators.


• Implement logical and physical access control systems, including MFA, SSO, and PAM.


• Build federated identity services to enable secure interoperability with mission partners.


• Conduct technical root cause analysis, privilege audits, and system performance tuning.


• Develop custom technical interfaces, architectures, data flows, and compliance documentation.


• Provide advanced engineering and architecture ownership across the following specialization:




• Cloud Credential & PKI (Primary Product Area: Credential Management (CM)): Lead the engineering and management of the DigiCert Platform and cloud Hardware Security Modules (HSMs). Architect and create new enterprise certificate templates. Lead the engineering analysis and planning for future Yubikey integration to meet NIST AAL3 requirements. Serve as the final escalation point for all PKI-related outages or issues.

Qualifications

High School with 10+ years (or commensurate experience)

Required Skills & Experience

• Certifications: DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher (e.g., Security+ CE, CySA+, or vendor-specific identity certifications).


• Deep technical understanding of federated identity concepts, including SAML, OAuth, OIDC, and Active Directory / LDAP architecture.


• Hands-on engineering experience managing Smart Card / Common Access Card (CAC) authentication and PKI certificate validation.


• Proven experience designing and applying federal Zero Trust identity guidelines (NIST SP 800-207) within enterprise networks.

Clearance Level: Must have an active Secret clearance

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Prior experience supporting U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identity management programs.


• Familiarity with integrating data governance frameworks with ICAM solutions to enforce data-level access controls.


• Direct experience with enterprise identity tools such as SailPoint, Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, Ping Identity, DigiCert, or Power BI.


• Advanced knowledge of RESTful API authorization protocols, secure gateways, and data schema security standards.

#USCG #DICE

Posted Salary Range: USD $135,000.00 - USD $172,000.00 /Yr.