Personnel Security Specialist

AeroVironment, Inc.; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 93,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company matching

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking a Personnel Security Specialist to manage and coordinate PERSEC programs, ensure DoD/Federal compliance, and maintain security documentation.

The role emphasizes case management, data integrity in SIMS, and cross-functional collaboration with executives and security teams. You will handle sensitive information, support the PERSEC program development, and ensure adherence to ITAR/EAR export controls and government requirements.

Qualifications

• TS/SCI clearance required; ability to obtain polygraph.
• 5+ years in the DoD/IC.
• Experience implementing NISPOM, DCIDS, ICDs, and EO to ensure security compliance.
• Experience providing personnel security guidance per adjudicative guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management support to a developing PERSEC program.
• Prepare and administer PERSEC program briefings as needed.
• Maintain databases and files (SIMS, Security System of Records, SharePoint) with timely data entry.
• Assist PERSEC team with recommendations for improvement.
• Explain PERSEC procedures and SOPs to internal/external customers.
• Develop/write reports and guidance for case management.
• Research and maintain security procedures/guidance for case management.
• Escalate issues to the Personnel Security Manager and address bottlenecks.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

Polygraph

DOD/IC

NISPOM

ICDs

PII protection

SIMS

DISS

NBIS

eAPP

SWIFT

Executive communication

Organizational skills

Tools

DISS

NBIS

eAPP

SWIFT

SIMS

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary AV Inc. is seeking a Personnel Security Specialist to work in a dynamic high tempo environment delivering Mission First results! This position will manage, administer, and coordinate the personnel security programs and other related security activities to ensure compliance with government and company security policies and procedures. This role will process and review personnel security clearances and maintain all associated security documentation, files, and clearance and suitability rosters in accordance with government requirements. The successful candidate will have an understanding and experience of the NISPOM, ICDs and general security requirements for the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide case management support to a developing PERSEC program
• Prepare, support, and administer PERSEC program briefings, as needed
• Appropriately and accurately maintain and update databases and files (ex: SIMS, security system of records, SharePoint Pages, internal file folders, etc.) with data entry in a timely manner/real time related to case management initiatives, as needed
• Assist the PERSEC team to help in developing recommendations for improvement
• Provide agency(ies) level understanding concerning the personnel security disciplines and standard operating procedures in support of case management initiatives
• Utilizes a variety of security concepts, principles and practices to analyze and recommend solutions for difficult and complex security issues
• Participate in the development/write reports/whitepapers, various forms of correspondence, as required
• Research, prepare, and maintain security procedures/guidance in support of case management
• Bring case management initiatives issues to the attention of the Personnel Security Manager
• Elevate issues and proposed solutions to bottlenecks precluding achievement of metrics
• Respond in a timely manner to all telephone and/or email actions, questions, or status inquiries
• Provide service excellence in guidance and resolution to internal and external customers' questions and inquiries in a timely manner for support to their programs
• Monitor all case progress to ensure cases are completed in a timely manner
• Manage assignment, tracking, reporting and prioritization of cases
• Maintain all tracking reports and status reports in PERSEC Drive shared files
• Ensure all case data entry is current and accurate in the Helpdesk ticket system and SIMS
• Process and maintain all customer personnel electronic fingerprinting in accordance with customer policy and procedures and RapBack enrollment/maintenance guidelines

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• TS/SCI level security clearance is required; ability to obtain a polygraph
• General knowledge of/experience in personnel security; 5+ years in the DOD/IC
• Experience implementing the NISPOM, DCIDS, ICDs, and Executive Orders, to ensure security compliance
• Demonstrated ability to provide employees with personnel security guidance, consistent with the 13 adjudicative guidelines, to best assist them managing their clearances
• Experience with protection requirements for handling and safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
• Experience with DISS, NBIS, eAPP and SWIFT
• Familiarity with SIMS
• Ability to communicate effectively with Corporate Executives and high-end government contacts to provide status updates, ensure compliance with PERSEC requirements and provide guidance on security related questions or concerns
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Exceptional organizational skills

Physical Demands Ability to work in an office environment (Constant) Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Clearance Level TS/SCI

The salary range for this role is: $93,000 - $158,000

ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits:

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company matching, and flexible work schedule options.
• Depending on your business unit, role, and customer contract requirements, select programs may offer a 9/80 work schedule and paid holiday shutdown.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, and space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there's no better place to do it than AV.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

ITAR About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, and space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there's no better place to do it than AV.