
SME Systems Engineer (ICAM)
Alexandria, VA · HybridJob$135–178K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today
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At a glance
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Requirements
Credentials this posting asks for.
Job overview
GovCIO is hiring a highly experienced SME Systems Engineer to support U.S. Coast Guard ICAM modernization. The role designs and implements secure identity-centric access controls across legacy and modern enterprise architectures, including federation, authentication, authorization, identity lifecycle workflows, and Zero Trust principles. The position is based in Alexandria, Virginia, and follows a hybrid schedule.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
Alexandria, Virginia
Secret
Hybrid schedule
Information Technology
Overview
GovCIO is currently hiring a highly experienced SME Systems Engineer to support critical Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) modernization activities for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). This technical role 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:
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Lead the comprehensive engineering, technical planning, and execution of modernizing legacy access controls into robust ICAM solutions.
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Analyze and address all federation, authentication, authorization, and single sign-on (SSO) implications across enterprise networks.
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Configure, optimize, and manage enterprise-grade identity directories, authentication protocols, and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems.
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Architect and implement secure identity lifecycle workflows, privilege management controls, and automated user provisioning frameworks.
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Design and deploy strict Zero Trust identity principles across all primary network hubs to eliminate unauthorized access paths.
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Develop custom technical interfaces and integration patterns required for identity compliance tracking across data tools.
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Conduct technical root cause analysis, privilege audits, and system performance tuning on active identity management nodes.
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Proactively identify security risks during identity platform migrations and design targeted engineering workarounds.
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Develop and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, architecture definitions, and detailed ICAM data flows.
Qualifications
High School with 10+ years (or commensurate experience)
Required Skills & Experience
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Certifications: DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher (e.g., Security+ CE, CySA+, or vendor-specific identity certifications).
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Deep technical understanding of federated identity concepts, including SAML, OAuth, OIDC, and Active Directory / LDAP architecture.
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Hands-on engineering experience managing Smart Card / Common Access Card (CAC) authentication and PKI certificate validation.
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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
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Prior experience supporting U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identity management programs.
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Familiarity with integrating data governance frameworks with ICAM solutions to enforce data-level access controls.
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Direct experience with enterprise identity tools such as SailPoint, Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, or Ping Identity.
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Advanced knowledge of RESTful API authorization protocols, secure gateways, and data schema security standards.
Posted Salary Range
USD $135,000.00 - USD $178,000.00 /Yr.
Company Overview
GovCIO is a team of transformers--people who are passionate about transforming government IT. Every day, we make a positive impact by delivering innovative IT services and solutions that improve how government agencies operate and serve our citizens.
But we can't do it alone. We need great people to help us do great things - for our customers, our culture, and our ability to attract other great people. We are changing the face of government IT and building a workforce that fuels this mission. Are you ready to be a transformer?
What You Can Expect
Interview & Hiring Process
If you are selected to move forward through the process, here’s what you can expect:
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During the Interview Process
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Virtual video interview conducted via video with the hiring manager and/or team
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Camera must be on
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A valid photo ID must be presented during each interview
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During the Hiring Process
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Enhanced Biometrics ID verification screening
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Background check, to include:
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Criminal history (past 7 years)
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Verification of your highest level of education
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Verification of your employment history (past 7 years), based on information provided in your application
Employee Perks
At GovCIO, we consistently hear that meaningful work and a collaborative team environment are two of the top reasons our employees enjoy working here. In addition, our employees have access to a range of perks and benefits to support their personal and professional well-being, beyond the standard company offered health benefits, including:
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
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Corporate Discounts
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Learning & Development platform, to include certification preparation content
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Training, Education and Certification Assistance*
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Referral Bonus Program
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Internal Mobility Program
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Pet Insurance
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Flexible Work Environment
*Available to full-time employees
Our employees’ unique talents and contributions are the driving force behind our success in supporting our customers, which ultimately fuels the success of our company. Join us and be a part of a culture that invests in its people and prioritizes continuous enhancement of the employee experience.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EOE, including disability/vets.
Posted Pay Range
The posted pay range, if referenced, reflects the range expected for this position at the commencement of employment, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and internal equity. The total compensation package for this position may also include other compensation elements, to be discussed during the hiring process. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the GovCIO reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, GovCIO or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
How this job compares
Set against the 11,655 open Systems Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 8, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$135–178K/yr
- Virginia median$120–182K/yr852 salary ranges
- US median$116–190K/yr8,674 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $157K, is 3% above the Virginia median midpoint ($152K) — in the middle half of Systems Engineer salary ranges in Virginia.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 1,085 open Systems Engineer jobs in Virginia and 11,655 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 10 years of experience — more than three in four Systems Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 9,734 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a high school diploma; 4,626 of the 11,655 open Systems Engineer jobs (40%) ask for a high school diploma or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 8, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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