Senior/Principal Safeguards & Security Planning and Operations Specialist, 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.

The Technical Systems Security Department (9246) is seeking a highly skilled Planning and Operations Specialist to lead and enhance policies, plans, and procedures across multiple departmental programs. In this role, you will develop, maintain, and continuously improve programs, methodologies, and tools for collecting and analyzing security and operations-related data. Your expertise in data trending, risk analysis, and performance improvement initiatives will ensure that Technical Security operations effectively align with DOE and NNSA requirements as well as Sandia's mission objectives. You will collaborate closely with subject matter experts and leadership to develop policies, conduct technical reviews, and implement corrective actions. Additionally, you will support strategic planning and quality assurance efforts to drive operational excellence. This position demands strong project management, data analysis, and communication skills to influence security performance and advance lab-wide mission-critical initiatives. You will serve as a key liaison with internal leadership and external stakeholders to maintain a secure, compliant, and resilient work environment.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Independently lead highly complex safeguards and security (S&S) projects, programs, and business operations that support organizational and Sandia-wide initiatives; plan, conduct, and report project outcomes and impacts.
• Lead integrated, interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement solutions to problems of broad scope, complexity, and impact; coordinate work across organizations and with external stakeholders to achieve mission outcomes.
• Assist management in assuring S&S performance, compliance, and operational effectiveness through risk management, requirements management, performance monitoring, assessments, corrective actions, and management review.
• Develop, implement, and institutionalize new or significantly improved S&S methods, tools, and processes (engineering and/or administrative controls) to mitigate threats and reduce risk across enterprise functions.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of operations, processes, and program performance to identify systemic issues; develop innovative corrective and preventive actions and recommend path forward to senior and organizational management.
• Lead and develop policies, procedures, and practices; regularly support decision-making affecting cost, schedule, and performance within organizational parameters.
• Serve as project/program point of contact with internal and external customers; represent the organization on interdisciplinary teams and, as assigned, as a prime contact on contracts, projects, or business operations.
• Interact routinely with senior internal and external personnel on significant matters requiring coordination across organizations pertaining to policies, plans, long-range goals, and objectives.
• Lead and manage the full self-assessment lifecycle (planning, data gathering, analysis, control effectiveness evaluation, follow-up, and closure) and present well-documented conclusions and recommendations to management.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve department-relevant data and analytics capabilities (risk analysis, trending, metrics, dashboards, and reporting) to inform management decisions and long-range planning.
• Facilitate technical and quality reviews of operating procedures and work documents; ensure compliance with applicable DOE/NNSA requirements, federal/state laws, codes/standards, and quality assurance expectations.
• Provide expert guidance and representation during audits, assessments, and reviews; advise management on compliance posture, risk significance, and prioritized improvement actions.
• Lead strategic planning for the S&S Technical Security program, maintain the strategic plan, and coordinate milestone execution to accomplish long-range organizational goals and initiatives.
• Serve as the primary interface for S&S Technical Security program performance, audits, and assessments; facilitate management reviews and drive alignment on actions and priorities.
• Develop and publish comprehensive S&S reports, processes, and procedures for broad audiences; synthesize complex and cross-cutting information into clear, actionable recommendations for leadership decision-making.
• Apply project/program management and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, root cause analysis, statistical methods) to optimize processes and achieve measurable improvements.
• Communicate effectively with a diverse customer base and all levels of personnel, including senior management and executive leadership, representing the organization with credibility and professionalism.
• Develop and deliver executive-level presentations, proposals, and decision briefs for Senior Managers, Directors, and the Division 9000 Associate Labs Director, clearly articulating risk, options, tradeoffs, and recommended actions.
• Demonstrate sustained initiative and independence in managing multiple concurrent, high-impact activities under changing priorities; coordinate with others to deliver outcomes on schedule while maintaining program integrity.

$87,400 - $168,800

*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.

• Bachelors degree in a relevant discipline, such as Criminology, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Intelligence, or Business or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience; plus 5 or more years of relevant experience and/or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an active DOE Q-level security clearance.

• 3 years or more relevant experience in leading projects and organized initiatives
• Extensive professional experience and deep expertise in safeguards and security (S&S) planning and operations at a Principal level.
• Proven ability to independently lead complex projects and programs with broad organizational impact.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state laws, DOE orders, and NNSA procedures related to safeguards and security compliance.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, risk management, and performance monitoring within S&S or related fields.
• Proficiency in conducting technical reviews, root cause analysis, and applying quality assurance methodologies.
• Skilled in using project management and continuous improvement tools such as Lean Six Sigma, causal analysis, and statistical methods.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly present complex information to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
• Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and engaging subject matter experts to develop effective security controls.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-tempo environment.
• Strong initiative and self-motivation, with the capacity to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive and classified information responsibly.
• Experience developing professional reports and presentations tailored for executive and technical audiences.
• Proven customer service orientation and ability to work effectively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to modeling behaviors that reflect organizational core values and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

The Technical Security Systems (TSS) department at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) provides a secure, robust, and sustainable electronic security system in support of Sandia's critical missions. The department is responsible for sustaining this security system at an acceptable level that meets Department of Energy (DOE) requirements. This is achieved by implementing high level standards and configuration control to the security systems followed by structured, preventive, and corrective maintenance processes. The TSS department interfaces and integrates with other departments within the Safeguards and Security Center which include Physical Security, Personnel Security, and the Protective Force. In addition to supporting the electronic security systems at SNL-NM, TSS provides program and technical support to several remote sites within the US.

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.

Sandia is required by DOE 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 obtain and 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.

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.

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.