Security Specialist 2/3
Los Alamos National Laboratory
United States
USD 78,700-125,100 / year
Posted on Sep 6, 2025
What You Will Do
This Security Specialist is responsible for conducting structured technical security analyses to protect national security assets, personnel, the public, and the environment from vulnerabilities that could lead to significant disruptions or damage if exploited. Analysts use risk assessment frameworks, vulnerability analysis methodologies, and mitigation strategies to ensure security, safety, and compliance. Analysts develop solutions to complex security problems by conducting in-depth analyses, including threat characterization, target determination, facility/site characterization, protection strategy analysis, pathway analysis, scenario development, and system effectiveness calculations.
This position will be filled at either the Security Specialist 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Security Specialist 2 ($78,700 - $125,100)
As a Mid-Level Security Specialist, you will independently perform risk assessments and vulnerability analyses on national security assets, critical infrastructure, and safety-sensitive operations. This role is responsible for identifying, categorizing, and prioritizing security threats and developing structured mitigation plans. Additionally, this position works on complex problem-solving efforts involving pathway analysis, system effectiveness modeling, and strategic security planning.
Security Specialist 3 ($94,500 - $154,600)
As a Senior Security Specialist, you will lead complex technical risk assessments and vulnerability analyses for classified assets, critical infrastructure, and high-security operations. This role develops strategic mitigation frameworks, conducts high-level security audits, and guide emergency preparedness initiatives. Additionally, this role works as part of a cross-functional team responsible for systematically evaluating security threats, vulnerabilities, performance, new technologies, and modeling execution for risk/cost tradeoffs.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 8 years of related experience in security risk analysis, security vulnerability analysis, safety analysis and regulatory compliance; or an equivalent combination of related education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.
This Security Specialist is responsible for conducting structured technical security analyses to protect national security assets, personnel, the public, and the environment from vulnerabilities that could lead to significant disruptions or damage if exploited. Analysts use risk assessment frameworks, vulnerability analysis methodologies, and mitigation strategies to ensure security, safety, and compliance. Analysts develop solutions to complex security problems by conducting in-depth analyses, including threat characterization, target determination, facility/site characterization, protection strategy analysis, pathway analysis, scenario development, and system effectiveness calculations.
This position will be filled at either the Security Specialist 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
Security Specialist 2 ($78,700 - $125,100)
As a Mid-Level Security Specialist, you will independently perform risk assessments and vulnerability analyses on national security assets, critical infrastructure, and safety-sensitive operations. This role is responsible for identifying, categorizing, and prioritizing security threats and developing structured mitigation plans. Additionally, this position works on complex problem-solving efforts involving pathway analysis, system effectiveness modeling, and strategic security planning.
Security Specialist 3 ($94,500 - $154,600)
As a Senior Security Specialist, you will lead complex technical risk assessments and vulnerability analyses for classified assets, critical infrastructure, and high-security operations. This role develops strategic mitigation frameworks, conducts high-level security audits, and guide emergency preparedness initiatives. Additionally, this role works as part of a cross-functional team responsible for systematically evaluating security threats, vulnerabilities, performance, new technologies, and modeling execution for risk/cost tradeoffs.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Conduct structured security risk assessments on various LANL assets, systems, facilities, and operations.
- Participate in site inspections to document security vulnerabilities.
- Identify risks related to nuclear facilities, hazardous material storage, and other LANL facilities.
- Perform detailed target determination to assess the attractiveness and vulnerability of critical assets.
- Offers recommendations for security solutions and implements corrective action under the direction of senior security specialists.
- Develop comprehensive site/facility characterizations, integrating physical security, detection technologies, and operational safety considerations.
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
- Ability to conduct system effectiveness calculations to quantify security posture and predict mitigation outcomes.
- Ability to develop structured risk mitigation strategies for classified security programs, physical security systems, and hazardous material sites.
- Advanced proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting security risk data to identify trends and vulnerabilities.
- Advanced experience and knowledge in computer-aided drafting techniques, CAD modeling and design and high-level three-dimensional (3-D) parametric CAD systems.
- Expertise in classified research facility compliance requirements, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and international safety and security mandates.
- Strong technical writing and presentation skills to communicate risk findings to executive leadership, risk management teams, local and federal agencies and other stakeholders.
Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and 8 years of related experience in security risk analysis, security vulnerability analysis, safety analysis and regulatory compliance; or an equivalent combination of related education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:
- Proficiency in conducting structured risk and vulnerability assessments for DOE assets.
- Experience conducting analyses for complicated phenomena such as air blast, fragmentation, cratering, structural damage, and human injury.
- Experienced with DOE and LANL security and safeguards requirements, policies, practices, and procedures.
- Demonstrated understanding of the organization and mission of ALDDP.
- Specialized knowledge and experience with making recommendations of appropriate and required security and safeguards measures, techniques, and methods to assure and improve the protection of personnel, activities, and lab facilities.
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
- For full consideration, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter that addresses the minimum and desired qualifications of the position.
- Minimal travel is anticipated but may be required on rare instances.
- Must have a valid New Mexico driver's license.
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid childbirth and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
- Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.