Early-Career Physical Security Systems Specialist, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 75,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements (9/80, 4/10

Generous vacation

401k

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a dedicated Physical Security Systems Specialist to safeguard facilities and workforce. You will advise on security questions, coordinate with experts, and translate DOE/NNSA requirements into practical security guidance.

You will lead assessments, develop training resources, and ensure compliance across departments, with onsite work required for sensitive duties at Sandia in Albuquerque.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, National Security, Business Administration, Intelligence or other relevant fields; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an active DOE Q-level security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted adviser to Members of the Workforce (MOWs), answering security-related questions with accuracy and consistency and offering practical recommendations.
• Partner with subject-matter experts across Physical Security, Personnel Security, Deployed Security, Security Incident Management (SIMP), Classified Matter Field Office, and NNSA TSCM to ensure cohesive, compliant solutions.
• Research and analyze security data, then distill findings into concise reports and presentations for stakeholders.
• Flow down DOE/NNSA and Sandia security requirements through policies, procedures, and manuals, keeping documentation current.
• Create, update, and maintain security resources, training materials, and reference documents.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with Security Orders and Sandia Safeguards & Security policies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary mission groups to characterize facilities and validate physical security processes.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to plan and execute DOE/NNSA directives.
• Lead the implementation of the DOE/NNSA Technical Security Program by conducting facility technical threat assessments and translating requirements into actionable guidance.
• Due to the sensitive nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Skills

DOE Security Orders

S&S policies

Communication

Mentoring

Vault design

Technical leadership

TSCM familiarity

Process improvement

Security assessments

QA practices

Office Suite

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice/National Security/Business Admin

DOE Q clearance

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting‑edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co‑workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten‑hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part‑time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking a dedicated Physical Security Systems Specialist to join our team and play a critical role in safeguarding our facilities and workforce. In this position, you will serve as a trusted security advisor, collaborate with diverse subject‑matter experts, and ensure compliance with DOE/NNSA and Sandia security requirements. If you are passionate about protecting people and assets through innovative security solutions and enjoy working in a dynamic, mission‑driven environment, this opportunity is for you.

• Act as a trusted adviser to Members of the Workforce (MOWs), answering security‑related questions with accuracy and consistency and offering practical recommendations.
• Partner with subject‑matter experts across Physical Security Personnel Security, Deployed Security, Security Incident Management (SIMP), Classified Matter Field Office, and the NNSA Technical Surveillance Countermeasures team to ensure cohesive, compliant solutions.
• Research and analyze security data, then distill your findings into concise reports and presentations for stakeholders.
• Flow down DOE/NNSA and Sandia security requirements through policies, procedures, and manuals, keeping all documentation current.

Create, update, and maintain security resources, training materials, and reference documents.

• Monitor and enforce compliance with relevant Security Orders and Sandia Safeguards & Security policies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary mission groups across the Laboratory to characterize facilities and validate physical security processes.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to plan and execute DOE/NNSA directives.
• Lead the implementation of the DOE/NNSA Technical Security Program by conducting facility technical threat assessments and translating requirements into clear, actionable guidance.
• Due to the sensitive nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range

$74,700 - $144,400

• Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Qualifications We Require

• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, National Security, Business Administration, Intelligence or other relevant fields; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an active DOE Q-level security clearance.

Qualifications We Desire

• In depth knowledge of DOE Security Orders and Sandia¿s Safeguards & Security (S&S) programs and policies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to educate and mentor others on security requirements and to provide practical recommendations.
• Hands on experience with DOE vaults and vault type room design, operation, and compliance standards.
• Demonstrated success in partnering with customers and providing technical leadership to cross‑disciplinary teams on large, complex security projects.
• Familiarity with the Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) mission and related methodologies.
• Track record of analyzing work processes and procedures to identify efficiencies and implement improvements.
• Experience performing physical security assessments in support of DOE audits and system evaluations.
• Working knowledge of quality assurance practices and methodologies at Sandia National Laboratories.
• Proficiency with databases and Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Visio, Outlook, and SharePoint.

About Our Team

The Physical Security Department provides physical security in support of SNL Mission Initiatives. There are (5) main areas within the Physical Security Department: Protection Planning & Risk Analysis, Security Areas, Secure Storage (VTRs) and Technical Surveillance Countermeasures Admin Support and Barriers & Delay (Lock & Keys). The Physical Security Department supports a holistic security model across the security topical areas aligned to DOE security requirements. The Physical Security department collaborates and partners with other departments within and outside the Safeguards and Security Center. The department also provides Physical Security support to Tonopah Test Range (TTR) Mission and other remote and contract sites.

Posting Duration

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre‑employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

Eeo

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements For MedPEDs

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug‑releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on‑site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Job ID: 698873

Job Family: SY

Regular/Temporary Position: R

Full/Part-Time Status: F