Lead Security Engineer - SME
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 10, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 24, 2026.
Location: Suitland, MD | Hybrid
Proposal Opportunity: This position is being recruited in support of an active federal proposal. Employment is contingent upon contract award, final customer requirements, and position availability. Candidates selected during the proposal phase may be asked to provide an updated resume and other information required for proposal submission.
About the Role
Essnova Solutions is seeking an experienced Lead Security Engineer - SME to support a large-scale federal technology modernization initiative supporting the U.S. Census Bureau.
This senior-level role will provide cybersecurity engineering expertise across modernized enterprise and cloud environments, with a particular focus on Zero Trust Architecture, federal security frameworks, risk management, and authorization requirements.
The ideal candidate brings extensive experience securing complex federal systems and translating federal cybersecurity requirements into practical technical solutions.
What You’ll Do
- Provide senior-level security engineering expertise for complex enterprise technology environments.
- Support implementation and advancement of Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles.
- Apply federal cybersecurity and risk-management requirements to system architecture and engineering activities.
- Support security authorization and assessment activities.
- Collaborate with systems engineers, architects, developers, cloud teams, and cybersecurity stakeholders.
- Incorporate security requirements throughout system modernization and development activities.
- Support technical security documentation and compliance efforts.
- Identify security risks and recommend appropriate technical controls and mitigation strategies.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
- 15+ years of relevant cybersecurity/security engineering experience.
- Active CISSP certification - required.
- Active CCSP certification - required.
- Demonstrated experience with:
- Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)
- NIST SP 800-53
- NIST SP 800-37
- Federal security authorization/ATO processes
- Cyber Security Assessment and Management (CSAM)
- Knowledge of federal cybersecurity requirements, including:
- Executive Order 14028
- OMB M-22-09
Preferred Qualifications
- CISM
- CISA
Work Location
This position supports the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland under a hybrid work model. Candidates must be located in the DC/MD/VA area or be willing to commute to Suitland.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Essnova Solutions, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Essnova Solutions is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.