Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Bethesda, MD – Active TS/SCI Clearance with Polygraph Required at Synertex LLC in Bethesda, MD, USA

Job description

• Join Synertex LLC and support a high-visibility national security program requiring advanced cybersecurity expertise in enterprise risk management, RMF, and security governance. The Cybersecurity SME serves as a senior technical authority responsible for advising on cybersecurity strategy, risk posture, authorization activities, and enterprise security governance across mission-critical systems. This role ensures alignment with Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) security frameworks while driving secure, resilient, and compliant cyber operations.

Responsibilities

• • Provide expert-level cybersecurity advisory support to program leadership on enterprise risk, governance, and security strategy.
• • Lead and support Risk Management Framework (RMF) activities, including ATO/cATO processes, security control selection, and authorization package development.
• • Advise on cybersecurity architecture, including Zero Trust principles, identity and access management (IAM), segmentation, and secure access strategies.
• • Support development, review, and maintenance of security documentation including SSPs, POA&Ms, SARs, and continuous monitoring plans.
• • Conduct risk assessments, vulnerability analysis, and cybersecurity posture evaluations across enterprise environments.
• • Support incident response planning, security operations improvements, and threat mitigation strategies.
• • Develop cybersecurity metrics, dashboards, and executive-level briefings to support leadership decision-making.
• • Coordinate with government stakeholders to ensure compliance with applicable federal cybersecurity policies and directives.
• • Ensure audit readiness and continuous compliance with NIST 800-53, NIST CSF, and federal security standards.
• • Serve as a key personnel advisor and act as alternate technical lead when required.

Requirements

• • Minimum 8+ years of experience in cybersecurity supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, or federal mission environments.
• • Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership on cybersecurity risk, governance, and enterprise security strategy.
• • Strong expertise in RMF, ATO lifecycle management, and federal security authorization processes.
• • Deep knowledge of NIST frameworks (NIST 800-53, NIST CSF) and Zero Trust security principles.
• • Experience with enterprise cybersecurity governance, risk management, and compliance programs.
• • Active TS/SCI with Polygraph required.
• • U.S. Citizenship required.
• • Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to brief senior stakeholders.
• • Ability to operate in high-tempo, mission-driven environments.

Skills

Required

• Expertise in cybersecurity
• Risk Management Framework (RMF)
• ATO lifecycle management
• NIST 800-53
• NIST CSF
• Zero Trust principles
• Enterprise cybersecurity governance
• Risk management
• Compliance programs
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Ability to brief senior stakeholders