Senior Special Programs Security Leader

OpenAI; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenAI’s Industrial Security team is seeking a Senior Special Programs Security Manager to lead security operations for SCI and SAP programs. You will serve in CSSO or CPSO roles for government customers, shaping how OpenAI operates across intelligence and national-security environments.

The role demands deep special programs expertise, strong operational judgment, and the credibility to work directly with government customers and senior internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance and SCI access required.
• Experience with Special Access Programs (SAP) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) programs preferred.
• Ability to collaborate with government customers and internal teams across security, legal, facilities, IT, and program leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead SCI and SAP security operations across the program lifecycle, including access administration and accreditation.
• Serve as CSSO or CPSO or equivalent program security official for assigned government customers.
• Build trusted relationships with Intelligence Community and DoD customers and external security stakeholders.
• Oversee accreditation, operation, modification, and inspection readiness of SCI facilities and SAP facilities.
• Translate government regulations and customer direction into practical security policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with personnel security, classified IT, Facilities, and legal teams to establish clear ownership of safeguards.
• Lead self-inspections, security inquiries, corrective actions, and customer assessments.
• Advise Industrial Security leadership and maintain continuity across critical programs and customer relationships.
• Mentor and develop security personnel, establishing staffing, governance, and operating rhythms for growth.
• Enable classified work through risk-informed decisions while maintaining authority to stop or redirect when needed.

Skills

Security leadership

Policy development

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Job description

OpenAI’s Industrial Security team is seeking a Senior Special Programs Security Manager to lead security operations for SCI and SAP programs. You will serve in CSSO or CPSO roles for government customers, shaping how OpenAI operates across intelligence and national-security environments.

The role demands deep special programs expertise, strong operational judgment, and the credibility to work directly with government customers and senior internal stakeholders.