Systems Engineering SME - WHCA

Paylocity; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Paylocity is seeking a Systems Engineering SME to lead senior technical direction for WHCA IT enterprise, spanning systems, network, and cyber security in highly classified environments.

The role emphasizes architecture decisions, post-quantum cryptography migration planning, and leveraging AI/data analytics to modernize defense communications for the President's mission. On-site work at SCIF facilities is required.

Qualifications

• US citizenship required.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• 15+ years IT engineering experience with progression.
• Depth in at least three areas: systems, network, cybersecurity, or EA.
• Recent hands-on CSfC, post-quantum crypto, AI/data analytics experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide SME-level leadership for major systems, network, and cybersecurity efforts.
• Lead architecture/design of secure IT systems across classification domains (CSfC, multiple Top Secret enclaves).
• Develop enterprise migration to post-quantum cryptography per NSA CNSA 2.0 timelines.
• Identify and integrate AI and data analytics to improve operations and defense.
• Retire legacy tech debt and promote modern engineering practices for secure ops.
• Act as senior interface to WHCA leadership and engineers; present options and risks.
• Mentor engineers and review designs and accreditation artifacts.
• Support RMF activities and security accreditation packages.

Skills

Systems engineering

Network engineering

Cybersecurity engineering

Enterprise architecture

DoD 8140 proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS

Master's degree preferred

Tools

CSfC

Post-quantum cryptography

Job description

Description

Position Summary

The Systems Engineering Subject Matter Expert (SME) supports the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) IT enterprise, providing senior technical leadership across systems engineering, network engineering, cybersecurity, and enterprise architecture. The position establishes technical direction, shapes architecture and engineering decisions with critical impact on mission delivery, and applies recent hands‑on experience in artificial intelligence, Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC), post-quantum cryptography, and data analytics to modernize, secure, and harden the communications enterprise supporting the President. The SME interfaces directly with senior WHCA leadership and government engineering personnel in highly classified environments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide SME-level technical leadership for major systems, network, and cybersecurity engineering efforts, establishing goals, plans, and technical baselines aligned with WHCA mission objectives.
• Lead the architecture and design of secure, resilient IT systems across multiple classification domains, including CSfC Capability Package-based solutions and integration of multiple Top Secret enclaves.
• Develop and execute the enterprise migration approach to post-quantum cryptography in accordance with NSA CNSA 2.0 timelines, including cryptographic inventory, prioritization, and vendor engagement.
• Identify, evaluate, and integrate artificial intelligence and data analytics capabilities that improve network operations, cyber defense, and decision support across the WHCA enterprise.
• Retire legacy technical debt and introduce modern engineering practices that counter adversary cyber operations and enable defensive cyber operations.
• Serve as a senior technical interface to WHCA leadership, the Task Force Lead, and government engineering staff; present technical options, risks, and recommendations to support decision-making.
• Mentor senior and journeyman engineers and review designs, accreditation artifacts, and technical deliverables for quality and compliance.
• Support Risk Management Framework (RMF) activities and security accreditation packages for systems under the SME’s technical purview.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must possess an active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline and 15+ years of progressive IT engineering experience.
• Demonstrated depth in at least three of the following areas: systems engineering, network engineering, cybersecurity engineering, and enterprise architecture.
• Recent hands‑on experience, within the last three years, in at least two of the following areas: CSfC solution design or Trusted Integrator work; post-quantum cryptography migration planning; applied artificial intelligence or machine learning; and enterprise data analytics.
• Experience engineering systems in TS/SCI environments and across multiple classification domains.
• Must meet DoD 8140 Advanced proficiency requirements for DCWF Work Role 652 - Security Architect, or Work Role 651 - Enterprise Architect, and comply with any DoD 8570 baseline requirements cited in the applicable task order or DD Form 254.
• Must possess CISSP with ISSAP or ISSEP concentration, or an equivalent Advanced-level qualification listed on the current DoD 8140 Foundational Qualification Matrix for the coded work role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Ability to communicate complex technical positions effectively to senior military and civilian leadership.
• INCOSE Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP) certification.
• Cisco CCIE in Enterprise Infrastructure or Security, or CCNP Security certification.
• ISC2 CCSP, AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, or Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification.
• NSA CSfC Trusted Integrator experience or prior service in a Trusted Integrator role.
• Experience supporting Presidential, Special Access Program (SAP), or other high-consequence communications environments.
• Prior military service in communications or cyber career fields.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Work is performed on-site in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) environment at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), the Pentagon, or the New Executive Office Building in Washington, DC. The position requires work with highly classified systems and information across multiple classification domains.

Travel

Not specified in the source position description.

Shift

On-site schedule in a SCIF environment; specific shift hours are not specified in the source position description.

Note

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

The salary range listed represents a good faith estimate and is provided in compliance with applicable pay transparency laws. The final compensation offered will be determined based on a variety of factors, including your skills, experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.