Manager - Physical Security, Special Security Operations (5116), Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 139,000 - 236,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable housing

Reasonable cost of living

Minimal traffic congestion

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories seeks a dynamic Manager of Physical Security to lead the Field Intelligence Element (FIE) Special Security Office. This onsite role oversees SCI and SCIF-related security programs, reports to the SSO, and ensures compliance with ICD and DOE orders.

Regular travel to Livermore up to 14 days/month is required. The position demands strategic leadership, strong collaboration with DOE oversight groups, and the ability to translate complex security requirements into

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field plus 8 years of related experience.
• Current and active DOE Q-level security clearance, or DoW Top Secret equivalent.
• Ability to obtain and maintain SCI access, which could include passing a polygraph.
• Minimum of two years of proven leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct a diverse team to implement security requirements.
• Develop and analyze performance metrics for the security program.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to identify and resolve security issues and incidents.

Skills

Leadership

Security management

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

8 years related experience

Job description

Manager - Physical Security, Special Security Operations (5116), Onsite

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*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Manager of Physical Security to lead and direct the Field Intelligence Element (FIE) Special Security Office, Department 05116. This leadership role requires strong management capabilities to oversee the interpretation and enforcement of security requirements, including Intelligence Community Directives (ICD) and DOE Orders. The department's responsibilities encompass comprehensive security support for Sandia's Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), personnel security, SCI visitor control and badging, security reception, the FIE Incidents of Security Concern (IOSC) program, the FIE Operations Security (OPSEC) program, and the FIE Equipment Inspection and Compliance program.

As the manager, you will provide strategic direction and hands‑on leadership to a high‑performing diverse team to ensuring effective execution of security policies and procedures. You will collaborate closely with the Special Security Officer (SSO), DOE Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence (DOE‑IN) oversight, other FIE security organizations, and mission partners to build and sustain a robust security infrastructure that supports the delivery of critical products and services to the Intelligence Community.

Your operational leadership will include managing day‑to‑day support for intelligence mission organizations, owning and refining processes and tools related to FIE security requirements, and coordinating with corporate security teams to maintain alignment and compliance with overarching corporate standards. You will foster strong partnerships with sister organizations within FIE Operations to implement a comprehensive, cohesive, and effective security program.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading, mentoring, and directing a diverse team to successfully implement a broad range of security requirements and initiatives.

Providing management assurance through the development and analysis of performance metrics that reflect the health and effectiveness of the security program.

Driving collaborative efforts across multiple stakeholders to proactively identify, address, and resolve security issues and incidents.

Due to the critical nature of this role, the candidate must be able to work onsite. The position will be based in NM, but requires regular monthly travel to Livermore up to 14 days per month.

Salary Range:

$138,600 - $235,700

*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 a relevant field plus 8 years of related experience

Current and active DOE Q‑level security clearance, or DoW Top Secret equivalent

Ability to obtain and maintain SCI access, which could include passing a polygraph

Minimum of two years of proven leadership experience

Qualifications We Desire:

Current SCI access

Master's degree in a relevant field

Broad knowledge of DOE security programs

Strong working relationships with DOE oversight groups (DOE/IN, Sandia Field Office, NNSA)

Well‑established internal network

Strong team player who works well with diverse groups

Skilled at developing and motivating high‑performing teams

Clear and effective communicator, both written and verbal

Strong problem‑solving abilities

Proven success building and maintaining trust‑based relationships

About Our Team:

The Field Intelligence Element (FIE) conducts critical national security operations in support of a broad spectrum of the Intelligence Community. The FIE Special Security Office is dedicated to safeguarding sensitive information by establishing and maintaining a secure environment that enables Sandia to deliver essential products and services that uphold national security. This office is responsible for the interpretation and oversight of comprehensive security requirements, including physical security, access control, facility accreditation, incident investigation, and clearance management.

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:

Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). Sandia is required by DOE directive 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 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.

• Affordable housing, reasonable cost of living
• Minimal traffic congestion compared to larger cities
• At Sandia, recruiters manually review resumes on each job posting instead of using a resume screening software program
• By following the best practices outlined, this ensures that recruiters can accurately determine your qualifications for the position