SME Systems Engineer (Governance Analytics)

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

Job summary

GovCIO is seeking a highly experienced SME Systems Engineer specializing in Access Governance (AG) with a focus on ICAM modernization for the U.S. Coast Guard. The role is based in Alexandria, VA and offered as a hybrid position, combining on-site collaboration with flexible remote elements.

You will design, engineer, and implement secure identity-centric access controls, leading governance, reporting, and analytics initiatives using Power BI and related data sources.

Qualifications

• Need DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher certifications and strong federation knowledge.
• Deep understanding of SAML, OAuth, OIDC, and AD/LDAP architectures.
• Hands-on PKI, CAC authentication, and certificate validation experience.
• Experience applying NIST SP 800-207 Zero Trust guidelines in enterprise networks.

Responsibilities

• Lead modernization of legacy access controls into ICAM solutions.
• Manage directories, federation, authentication, authorization, and SSO.
• Architect identity lifecycles, provisioning workflows, and privilege controls.
• Design and deploy Zero Trust identity across networks; configure PKI and authenticators.
• Implement MFA, SSO, PAM and federated identity services for partner interoperability.
• Perform root-cause analysis, privilege audits, and performance tuning.
• Develop interfaces, data flows, and compliance documentation.
• Own governance, reporting and analytics for ICAM with Power BI and data sources.

Skills

DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher

Federated identity concepts (SAML, OID

CAC PKI authentication

Zero Trust identity guidelines

Active Directory / LDAP architecture

PKI certificate validation

RESTful API authorization

Education

High School + 10+ years experience

Tools

SailPoint

Okta

Microsoft Entra ID

Ping Identity

DigiCert

Power BI

Job description

Overview

GovCIO is currently hiring a highly experienced SME Systems Engineer specializing in Access Governance (AG) with a primary focus on Governance, Reporting, and Data Analytics. 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:
  • Governance, Reporting & Analytics (Primary Product Area: Access Governance (AG)): Architect and build the enterprise ICAM reporting solution using Power BI and other data sources. Engineer the data integrations required to provide comprehensive dashboards on service health, compliance, and access patterns. Develop advanced KQL queries and analytics to support audits and proactive threat hunting.

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.