Secure Configuration Management (SCM) SME/Technical Lead - NIH

Overview

cFocus Software is seeking a Secure Configuration Management (SCM) Subject-Matter Expert (SME) / Technical Lead to lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of secure configuration baselines across complex hybrid environments in support of a federal cybersecurity mission. The SME/Technical Lead will ensure all enterprise systems, applications, and platforms adhere to agency-specific security standards, federal mandates, and configuration compliance frameworks. This position requires advanced technical expertise in secure configuration management, compliance auditing, and automation, as well as strong leadership and collaboration skills for coordinating efforts across diverse IT and cybersecurity teams.

This is a full-time position that may require on-site support at federal agency locations in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Some telework flexibility may be available depending on mission requirements. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or higher-level security clearance as required by the agency.

Responsibilities

The Secure Configuration Management (SCM) SME / Technical Lead shall perform duties that include, but are not limited to:

• Develop, implement, and maintain secure configuration baselines for multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS).
• Develop secure configurations for enterprise services, applications, and platforms including Microsoft 365, AWS, GCP, Azure, web browsers, and databases.
• Assess foundational standards, federal regulations, compulsory directives, and agency policies (e.g., CIS Benchmarks, NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5, NIST Baseline Checklist Repository, and CISA BOD 25-01 SCuBA) to create agency-specific baselines.
• Develop implementation resources such as Group Policy Objects (GPOs), BigFix fixlets, scripts, and automation tools for enforcing and maintaining secure configurations.
• Perform continuous configuration compliance assessments and validation using enterprise scanning tools (e.g., Tenable.SC, Nessus, SCAP).
• Create, maintain, and update technical control sets and baseline compliance scanning policies to ensure consistent validation and remediation tracking.
• Integrate configuration compliance validation data with SIEMs or enterprise dashboards for executive-level visibility.
• Prepare professional technical documentation including business justifications, risk assessment and management documents, SOPs, processes, workflows, and executive briefings.
• Lead and facilitate working groups or collaboration forums with stakeholders from cybersecurity and IT operations communities.
• Collaboratively develop and align configuration baseline standards with agency mission and business requirements.
• Serve as a technical lead to guide stakeholders through secure configuration implementation, validation, and continuous improvement activities.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrable credentials reflecting knowledge, skills, and experience in Secure Configuration Management (SCM).
• Advanced knowledge of enterprise configuration standards and compliance frameworks, including CIS Benchmarks, NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5, NIST Baseline Checklist Repository, and CISA BOD 25-01 Secure Cloud Business Applications (SCuBA) Secure Configuration Baselines.
• Experience assessing foundational standards, federal regulations, compulsory directives, and agency policies to develop agency-specific secure configuration baselines.
• Experience developing implementation resources (e.g., Group Policy Objects (GPOs), BigFix fixlets) for secure configuration deployment.
• Experience developing and maintaining secure baselines across multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS) and enterprise services, applications, and platforms (Microsoft 365, AWS, GCP, Azure, web browsers, and databases).
• Proficiency in Group Policy Object (GPO) management and mobile device management (MDM) tools such as Jamf, BigFix, and Intune.
• Experience with configuration automation and baseline deviation tracking.
• Familiarity with enterprise scanning tools (e.g., Tenable.SC, Nessus, SCAP) for compliance validation.
• Ability to create and maintain technical control sets and baseline compliance scanning policies.
• Strong professional technical writing skills for creating business justifications, risk assessments, technical and programmatic guidance, and executive summaries.
• Experience leading collaboration forums with broad stakeholder groups (e.g., working groups involving sub-organization cybersecurity and IT operations participants).
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively develop configuration baseline standards aligned with mission and business requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a technical lead guiding stakeholders in implementing secure configurations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting DHS or other federal agencies in secure configuration management initiatives.
• Knowledge of federal compliance frameworks including FISMA, FedRAMP, and CISA guidance.
• Experience automating configuration compliance checks using enterprise tools such as BigFix, Tenable, or SCAP scanners.
• Proficiency in PowerShell, Python, or Bash scripting for configuration automation, compliance validation, and reporting.
• Experience creating dashboards and compliance reports for management and executive review.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to coordinate across technical and business teams.

About cFocus Software

cFocus Software Incorporated provides cybersecurity, cloud, and enterprise IT services to the federal government. Our team of experts delivers innovative solutions that protect critical assets and enable mission success.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

cFocus Software Incorporated is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.