Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Akima, LLC

• $160K — $170K *
Energy & Utilities
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree or 4 years of equivalent experience
  • 8-10 years in cybersecurity or related fields
  • Expertise in specialized domains (risk analysis, forensics, etc.)
  • Advanced proficiency in mathematics and statistical analysis
  • Strong understanding of NIST cybersecurity frameworks
  • Ability to develop actionable security recommendations
  • Experience in cybersecurity strategy and policy development
  • Strong written communication skills for technical documentation
  • Ability to pass a DOE background investigation and obtain clearance

Responsibilities

  • Conduct comprehensive assessments of security and privacy controls
  • Provide expert analysis on control deficiencies and remediation strategies
  • Prepare detailed reports outlining findings and risk evaluations
  • Reassess remediated controls to validate effectiveness
  • Evaluate system-specific controls for continuous monitoring
  • Analyze complex operational interactions for cybersecurity decision-making
  • Utilize advanced techniques for cybersecurity solutions
  • Contribute to shaping enterprise cyber strategy and policy development

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision
  • Life insurance and 401(k) options
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) for full-time and part-time employees
  • Access to a range of voluntary benefits
Full Job Description
The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) enables the Department of Energy (DOE) mission through the implementation of enterprise-wide policies, standards, and IT services that support mission needs, strengthen cybersecurity, balance risk with innovation, and ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources. The OCIO is dedicated to advancing cybersecurity maturity across the Department by enhancing IT service delivery, optimizing performance, and proactively protecting DOE information systems.

The Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert (SME) plays a critical role in supporting this mission by applying advanced technical expertise, analytic capabilities, and domain-specific knowledge to assess cybersecurity controls, guide strategic decision-making, resolve complex security issues, and strengthen DOE's enterprise cybersecurity posture.

Responsibilities

Assessment & Authorization-Aligned Duties
  • Conduct comprehensive assessments of security and privacy controls to determine their effectiveness, including correct implementation, operational behavior, and alignment with DOE security and privacy requirements.
  • Provide expert analysis on deficiencies identified during control assessments, determining severity, mission impact, and appropriate remediation strategies.
  • Prepare detailed assessment reports outlining findings, risk evaluations, and recommendations, and present results to Team Leaders and senior stakeholders.
  • Reassess remediated controls to validate that corrective actions are effective and sustainably implemented.
  • Evaluate system-specific and inherited controls as part of DOE's continuous monitoring strategy.
  • Contribute expert insight into performance metrics, deliverables, and enterprise-level cybersecurity improvement initiatives.

Advanced SME Duties
  • Analyze complex operational interactions across military, governmental, or business systems to provide a quantitative and rational basis for cybersecurity-related decision-making and resource allocation.
  • Utilize advanced modeling, simulation, statistical analysis, engineering techniques, and operational mathematics to develop sophisticated solutions for cybersecurity and information assurance challenges.
  • Support requirements development, conceptualization, design, testing, verification/validation, documentation, and implementation of modeling and simulation-based decision-support systems.
  • Serve as a recognized expert in specialized domains such as:
    • Cyber Risk Analysis
    • Cyber Forensics
    • Reverse Engineering
    • Cyber Hunt Operations
  • Provide high-level technical expertise in all aspects of cybersecurity, information assurance, and cyber operations.
  • Identify, analyze, and resolve complex cybersecurity issues spanning multiple domains and operational environments.
  • Assist senior OCIO staff in shaping enterprise cyber strategy, informing policy development, and contributing to strategic cybersecurity initiatives.
  • Provide expert input to white papers, position papers, and documentation supporting DOE cyber policy, priorities, and modernization efforts.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree or four (4) years of equivalent professional experience.
  • 8-10 years of experience in cybersecurity, cyber operations, cyber risk analysis, modeling and simulation, or related technical fields.
  • Demonstrated expertise in one or more specialized cybersecurity domains (risk analysis, forensics, reverse engineering, cyber hunt, etc.).
  • Advanced proficiency in technical disciplines such as mathematics, statistical analysis, operational modeling, engineering methods, or scientific computing.
  • Strong understanding of federal cybersecurity frameworks, including NIST RMF and NIST SP 800-53.
  • Proven ability to solve highly complex problems, interpret technical data, and develop actionable security recommendations.
  • Demonstrated experience contributing to cybersecurity strategy, policy, or program development.
  • Strong written communication skills, especially in preparation of technical reports, assessment documentation, and strategic papers.
  • Ability to complete a DOE background investigation and obtain government clearance for access to federal systems.
  • Ability to obtain DOE Q Clearance.

Job ID

2026-25984
Work Type

Remote
Pay Range

$160,000 - $170,000
Benefits

Regular - The company offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) and a range of other voluntary benefits. Paid Time Off (PTO) is offered to regular full-time and part-time employees.

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