SME Systems Engineer (Cloud PKI)

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

Job summary

GovCIO is seeking a highly experienced SME Systems Engineer specializing in Credential Management with a primary focus on Cloud Credential & PKI to support USCG ICAM modernization. The role will design, engineer, and implement secure identity-centric access controls across legacy and modern enterprise architectures.

Hybrid work arrangement in Alexandria, VA. Responsibilities include leading modernization of legacy access controls, managing directories, federation, authentication, SSO, PKI, MFA,

Qualifications

• DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher required.
• Deep understanding of federated identity concepts (SAML, OAuth, OIDC, LDAP/AD).
• Hands-on PKI certificate validation and CAC authentication experience.
• Experience applying federal Zero Trust identity guidelines (NIST 800-207).

Responsibilities

• Lead modernization of legacy access controls into secure ICAM solutions.
• Manage directories, federation, authentication, authorization, and SSO protocols.
• Architect identity lifecycles, provisioning workflows, and privilege controls.
• Design and deploy Zero Trust identity across networks per NIST 800-207.
• Configure and manage PKI systems, credentials, and authenticators.
• Implement MFA, SSO, and PAM for access control.
• Develop federated identity services for partner interoperability.
• Conduct root cause analyses, privilege audits, and performance tuning.
• Provide advanced engineering ownership across CM/PKI specialization.

Skills

DoD 8570 IAT Level II

Federated identity concepts

Smart Card / CAC PKI

Zero Trust (NIST 800-207)

Education

High School with 10+ years experience

Tools

SailPoint

Okta

Microsoft Entra ID

Ping Identity

DigiCert

Power BI

Job description

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

• 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 Required: 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.