Security Assurance Specialist

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$111,600 - $136,656 at the J01.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We have an opening for a Security Assurance Specialist. You will develop plans for and conduct a broad assortment of assurance activities and topics including assessments, issues and corrective actions management, inspections/audits, and quality assurance. The work spans all topical and sub-topical areas within the Safeguards and Security (S&S) functional area, with multiple high-priority assignments and constantly changing deadlines. The successful candidate will regularly interact with the Security Organization (SO) division leaders/managers, Office of Laboratory Oversight personnel, and may occasionally interact with NNSA Livermore Field Office representatives. This position is with the Assurance Management Office within the SO and report to the Deputy Assurance Manager.

You will 

• Perform requirements management using the institutional Standards Based Management System to ensure adequate and consistent flow-down of federal, Departmental, and institutional Safeguards and Security requirements.
• Monitor assessment activities throughout the SO and provide subject matter expertise on assessment planning and issue identification. You will work alongside lead assessors to ensure timely submission of high-quality assessment reports as well as appropriate selection of corrective actions and effectiveness reviews. You will also lead at least one management self-assessment per year.
• Administer issues and corrective actions management and the resolution of Findings process to Department of Energy (DOE) directives; review, revise, and monitor corrective actions to ensure compliance with DOE requirements; coordinate corrective action plan (CAP) deliverable dates with Livermore Field Office (LFO) representatives and SO topical area managers (TAMs); ensure preliminary data is entered into the institutional system to ensure monitoring/tracking to closure by SO TAMs; coordinate CAP development with SO managers; develop high-quality CAPs that comply with institutional policy; interact with SO senior management and members of the LFO. 
• Maintain and improve SO quality assurance (QA)/management activities in accordance with ISO 9001 and other institutional requirements, including the maintenance of the Quality Management Plan and the integration of QA criteria/tools into business decisions, policies, procedures, plans, and work practices.
• Administer the SO Formality of Operations Program (Conduct of Security), through the application of graded the institutional quality-based methodology that defines the rigor for processes.
• Serve as a general resource and assist SO personnel in the application and use of QA criteria/tools and procedures to measure performance and implement continuous improvement solutions. You will administer/collect performance metrics and perform analyses to track and trend specified performance evaluation criteria for all S&S topical and sub-topical areas.
• Build and create reports that are approved by management without major editorial revisions; interact with management staff to ensure seamless data/report delivery, and problem resolution.
• Assist other areas within the Assurance Management Office by participating on assessment teams, assisting in performance tests, and as a controller/evaluator for Protective Force Division testing activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management or Quality Assurance, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced written, verbal, and interpersonal skills to interact with diplomacy and tact with a wide variety of personnel and disciplines
• Complete knowledge and understanding and significant experience applying a variety of security principles (physical, industrial, or technical security concepts) and advanced regulatory requirements to solve unique/complex problems and monitor compliance in a regulatory environment.
• Experience analyzing and solving complex issues with the ability to maintain independence and objectivity in analysis; familiar with risk management, root cause analysis and process improvement tools.
• Experience conducting complex audits, inspections, self-assessments, and/or investigations, as well as causal analysis, identifying discrepancies; and recommending, developing, and monitoring corrective actions with a security discipline.
• Experience providing compliance assurance and applying a quality-based methodology and integrating QA criteria/tools into business decisions, measuring performance and implementing continuous improvement solutions.
• Proficient with computers and the associated software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Expert organizational skills, able to independently determine and set priorities and to effectively manage completion of multiple projects and assignments in a timely manner.

Qualifications We Desire

• Complete knowledge of Departmental S&S policies.
• Experience with quality assurance/management standards, leading projects, assigning priorities and establishing deadlines; ability to champion quality practices within a team or organization.
• Demonstrated experience applying AI/machine learning-based solutions to increase efficiency and productivity

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.