Senior Security Specialist - Operations

Puyenpa Services LLC; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401k retirement savings with company-m

Holidays and PTO

Job summary

Puyenpa Services LLC seeks a Senior Security Specialist - Operations to support F-35 JPO security services. Location: Arlington, VA or Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Full-time, 40 hours/week.

Requires active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI and SAR eligibility/access. Proposal position contingent on contract award and staffing authorization. The role provides SME guidance, leads security operations, and ensures policy compliance across disciplines, coordinating with government and industry partners

Qualifications

• Master's degree OR Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years related experience.
• 10+ years in security operations, security management or related field.
• Ability to independently perform complex security functions in DoD environment.
• Experience interpreting security policies, procedures and regulations.
• Strong analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience preparing reports and briefings for senior leadership.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams on large defense programs.
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI/SAR eligibility.
• Willingness to sign Letter of Intent.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior operational security advisor for F-35 JPO initiatives.
• Coordinate security activities across personnel, physical, information, and program security.
• Provide SME guidance on procedures, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Develop and maintain security documentation, assessments and briefings.
• Coordinate with government and industry stakeholders to meet mission needs.
• Support access control, visitor management, and secure facility operations.
• Evaluate security processes and recommend improvements.
• Plan and oversee security initiatives for acquisition and international programs.
• Mentor junior and mid-level security personnel.
• Deliver executive briefings on security requirements and risks.
• Support inspections, audits, and corrective action efforts.
• Ensure compliance with DoD, JPO, and federal security policies.

Skills

Security SME

Security operations

Program security

Security management

Policy interpretation

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional teamwork

Executive briefings

Mentoring security staff

Risk assessment

Education

Master's degree in related discipline

Bachelor's degree + 4 years related experience

Job description

Puyenpa is seeking a Senior Security Specialist - Operations for an upcoming proposal supporting the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Joint Program Office (JPO) Security Services Contract. This senior-level position serves as a Security Subject Matter Expert (SME), providing operational security support, program security oversight, and guidance across multiple security disciplines supporting a complex Department of Defense acquisition environment. The successful candidate will independently execute security operations functions, advise stakeholders on security policy and compliance requirements, support mission-critical security activities, and provide expert guidance to government and contractor personnel. This is a key personnel position requiring demonstrated experience operating in high-visibility environments and supporting sensitive programs. This position will be located in Arlington, VA. or at Wright-Patterson AFB in the Dayton, OH area and is structured as a full-time, 40-hour-per-week role. An active DoD Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Required (SAR) eligibility/access is required.

This is a proposal position and is contingent upon contract award, customer approval, and final staffing authorization.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior operational security advisor supporting F-35 JPO security programs and initiatives.
• Independently perform and coordinate operational security activities across personnel, physical, information, industrial, and program security disciplines.
• Provide subject matter expertise and guidance regarding security procedures, compliance requirements, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Develop, review, and maintain security documentation, assessments, reports, briefings, and operational procedures.
• Coordinate with government personnel, military organizations, industry partners, and security stakeholders to ensure mission requirements are met.
• Support access control, visitor management, classified material handling, secure facility operations, and security compliance activities.
• Evaluate security processes and recommend improvements to enhance program effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
• Assist in the planning, execution, and oversight of security-related initiatives supporting acquisition, sustainment, and international program activities.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior and mid-level security personnel.
• Deliver executive-level briefings and communicate security requirements, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Support inspections, audits, assessments, and corrective action efforts associated with security programs.
• Ensure adherence to applicable Department of Defense, Joint Program Office, and federal security policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Senior-level qualifications consisting of:
  • Master's degree in a related discipline; OR
  • Bachelor's degree and four additional years of directly related experience in lieu of a Master's degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience performing work related to security operations, security management, program security, or a closely related field.
• Ability to independently perform complex security functions and provide SME-level guidance within a Department of Defense environment.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying security policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience preparing reports, briefings, and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams supporting large-scale defense programs.
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Required (SAR) eligibility/access is required.
• Will be required to sign Letter of Intent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting the F-35 program, Joint Program Office, or other major defense acquisition programs.
• Knowledge of DoD acquisition, lifecycle management, and security oversight processes.
• Experience supporting Special Access Required (SAR) programs.
• Experience coordinating with U.S. Government, military, and industry stakeholders.
• Prior experience leading security initiatives or mentoring security personnel.
• Relevant security certifications.

Benefits

• company-paid health, dental & vision insurance coverage, as well as additional employee-paid health insurance options
• company-paid life and disability insurance
• 401k retirement savings plan with employer match
• 11 company paid holidays per year, and paid time off