Lead Personnel Security Specialist

Applied Research Associates (ARA), Inc. Integrated Mission Systems (IMS) is seeking a skilled Lead Personnel Security Specialist to oversee and enhance our personnel security program in support of the National Industrial Security Program (NISP). This role leads day to day clearance processing, adjudication support activities, and personnel security compliance operations while providing guidance and assistance to internal staff and stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of DISS/NBIS processes, strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and the ability to think critically and trouble shoot problems effectively. This position will report directly to the Assistant Facility Security Officer (AFSO) and assist other security subject matter experts (FSO, CSSO, and ISSM) in ensuring compliance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), Department of War (DoW) regulations and Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs).

What you’ll do as a Lead Personnel Security Specialist at ARA:

• Serve as the subject matter expert for all personnel security (PERSEC) activities, including clearance initiation, maintenance, incident reporting, and separation actions.


• Oversee the use of DISS/NBIS, ensuring accurate and timely processing of investigations, eligibility updates, in-processing and out-processing actions, and visit access requests (VARs).


• Lead the PERSEC team in daily workflow management, case review, and process improvement.


• Conduct quality assurance reviews of clearance submissions and adjudicative documentation.


• Interpret and apply NISPOM and/or ICD 704 requirements, DoD policies, and agency-specific guidance to personnel security actions.


• Coordinate with government security representatives, program managers, and HR to resolve clearance or eligibility issues.


• Maintain accurate records, metrics, and reporting for audits, inspections, and internal leadership briefings.


• Support insider threat reporting requirements.


• Provide training and guidance to employees on clearance procedures, responsibilities, and reporting requirements.


• Assist with security incident reporting and corrective action tracking.


• Participates in security self-inspections, internal audits, and prepares for government assessments.


• Provides surge and/or special project support across the security department as needed.

Lead Personnel Security Specialist Requirements:

• Must have US citizenship with an active secret security clearance with ability to obtain and maintain a TS//SCI within a year.


• Bachelors degree with 2-4 years of personnel security experience within a cleared defense contractor or U.S. government environment.


• Advanced knowledge of NISPOM PERSEC requirements and adjudicative guidelines.


• Hands-on experience with DISS and NBIS; strong proficiency managing investigation and eligibility workflows.


• Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to manage sensitive information.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including comfort interfacing with government customers and internal stakeholders.

Lead Personnel Security Specialist Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge and experience using Access Commander or similar security management tools.


• Prior experience functioning as a Lead PERSEC Specialist or similar security role.


• Familiarity with continuous vetting/continuous evaluation processes.


• Completion of Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) Facility Security Officer for Possessing Facilities curriculum (required to be completed within six months of hire).

ARA Raleigh Security Team:

The ARA Raleigh Security Team is comprised of three sections that fall under the Facility Security Officer – Security Operations Manager: Program Security, Special Security (SCI), and Cyber Security. These three teams collaborate to ensure security compliance across the Sector while maintaining positive working relationships with program managers and staff. We operate in an ever evolving and dynamic environment and pride ourselves on our ability to adapt as a team.  

Who is ARA? 

Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,279 employee owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice with what happens in the company. 

To find out more about what the Integrated Mission Systems Sector has to offer, visit our website at https://www.ara.com/raleigh/

To learn more about our generous benefits program including health, life & disability, retirement, flexible spending, rewards & recognition, work/life balance, professional development and relocation visit https://www.ara.com/benefits/