Senior Security Specialist - Program Protection

Puyenpa Services LLC; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

401k with employer match

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Puyenpa Services LLC in Arlington, VA seeks a Senior Security Specialist - Program Protection for a DoD JPO security services contract. You will independently lead program protection tasks, advise leadership on risk management, and implement protections across complex programs.

The role requires a TS clearance with SCI/SAR eligibility, 40 hours weekly, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment. This is a proposal position contingent on award.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of experience in program protection or related DoD security fields.
• Ability to work independently and provide SME guidance to leadership.
• Strong analytical, communication, and briefing skills.
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI/SAR eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior advisor on Program Protection planning, implementation, and oversight activities.
• Independently perform Program Protection functions supporting government security objectives.
• Develop, review, and maintain Program Protection documentation, briefings, analyses, and recommendations.
• Assess security risks and vulnerabilities affecting critical program information and mission assurance.
• Coordinate with disciplines to ensure integrated protection strategies.
• Provide SME guidance to government leadership on security policies and requirements.
• Support security reviews, assessments, inspections, and compliance activities.
• Prepare briefings, reports, and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Analyze emerging threats and recommend mitigations for CPI protection.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to incorporate security requirements throughout execution.

Skills

Senior-level experience

Security risk management

Leadership

Education

Master's degree in a related discipline

Bachelor's degree + 4 years experience

Job description

Puyenpa is seeking a Senior Security Specialist - Program Protection for an upcoming proposal supporting the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Joint Program Office (JPO) Security Services Contract. This key position serves as a Program Protection SME responsible for independently executing program security requirements, advising leadership on security risk management, and supporting the development and implementation of program protection policies, processes, and controls across complex defense acquisition programs.

The successful candidate will provide expert guidance to government leadership, coordinate with stakeholders across multiple organizations, and ensure program protection requirements are effectively integrated throughout the program lifecycle. This position requires the ability to work independently, provide strategic recommendations, and deliver senior-level support in a highly visible mission environment. The labor category requires the ability to independently fulfill Program Protection responsibilities and provide SME-level guidance. This position will be located in Arlington, VA. 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 advisor on Program Protection planning, implementation, and oversight activities.
• Independently perform Program Protection functions supporting government security and acquisition objectives.
• Develop, review, and maintain Program Protection documentation, briefings, analyses, and recommendations.
• Assess security risks and vulnerabilities affecting critical program information, technologies, capabilities, and mission assurance objectives.
• Coordinate with acquisition, engineering, intelligence, counterintelligence, cybersecurity, physical security, and other security disciplines to ensure integrated protection strategies.
• Provide subject matter expertise to government leadership on security policies, procedures, and program protection requirements.
• Support security reviews, assessments, inspections, and compliance activities.
• Prepare and present briefings, reports, and recommendations to senior government stakeholders.
• Analyze emerging threats and recommend mitigations to protect sensitive program information and critical technologies.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure security requirements are incorporated throughout program execution.
• Provide mentoring, guidance, and knowledge transfer to supporting team members as required.
• Support additional security activities associated with F-35 JPO mission requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Senior-level experience consistent with labor category requirements, including at least ten years of experience performing work related to the functional discipline. Senior personnel typically support mission-critical programs and perform all functional duties independently.
• Master's degree in a related discipline; OR Bachelor's degree plus four additional years of relevant experience may be substituted for a Master's degree. Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university.
• Ability to comprehensively and independently fulfill Program Protection-related tasking and provide subject matter expert guidance.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Department of Defense security programs, policies, and procedures.
• Strong analytical, communication, and briefing skills.
• Experience developing reports, recommendations, and briefing materials for leadership decision-making.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex, fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment.
• 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 Department of Defense acquisition, security, risk management, and program protection frameworks.
• Experience coordinating across engineering, cybersecurity, intelligence, counterintelligence, and acquisition organizations.
• Experience supporting senior military, civilian, or executive-level leadership.
• Program Protection Plan (PPP) development or review experience.
• Experience with Critical Program Information (CPI) identification and protection activities.

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