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Senior Special Programs Security Manager (CSSO/CPSO)

OpenAI· Corporate Security
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Hybrid (Washington, DC), Hybrid (San Francisco)$158k - $225kFull-timePosted 6mo ago

About the role

Lead security operations for OpenAI’s SCI and SAP programs as a senior security official (CSSO/CPSO), partnering with government customers and internal teams to enable classified work while maintaining compliance and security posture.

Responsibilities

  • Lead SCI and SAP security operations across the program lifecycle, including access administration, indoctrinations and debriefings, security plans, classification requirements, incident reporting, inspections, and program closeout.
  • Serve as the designated CSSO, CPSO, or equivalent program security official for assigned government customers and classified programs.
  • Build and maintain trusted relationships with Intelligence Community and Department of Defense customers, government security officers, program security officers, and other external security stakeholders.
  • Oversee the establishment, accreditation, operation, modification, and inspection readiness of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities and Special Access Program Facilities.
  • Translate government regulations, contract requirements, DD Forms 254, security classification guides, and customer direction into practical policies, procedures, and operating decisions.
  • Coordinate closely with personnel security, information systems security, classified IT, Facilities, Legal, and program teams to establish clear ownership and integrated safeguards.
  • Lead self-inspections, security inquiries, corrective actions, customer assessments, and escalation of risks that could affect access, accreditation, or program execution.
  • Advise Industrial Security leadership, independently represent the security function, and provide operational continuity across critical programs and customer relationships.
  • Mentor and develop special programs security personnel while establishing staffing, metrics, governance, and operating rhythms needed to support growth.
  • Enable classified work through risk-informed decisions while maintaining the judgment and authority to stop or escalate activity that would violate security requirements.

Qualifications

  • Substantial experience leading contractor security for SCI and SAP programs, including roles as CSSO, CPSO, CSPSO, SSO, or equivalent.
  • Understanding of Intelligence Community operations, sponsor relationships, access processes, reciprocity, and escalation channels.
  • Strong working knowledge of NISPOM, ICDs 703/704/705, SCIF/SAPF accreditation requirements, DoDM 5205.07, and related directives.
  • Experience establishing, accrediting, operating, or modifying SCIFs or SAPFs and coordinating facility, physical security, information security, and technical accreditation.
  • Proven ability to manage government customer relationships and communicate with security officials, technical teams, program leaders, and executives.
  • Experience leading security inspections, customer reviews, incident response, corrective actions, and closure of complex findings.
  • Ability to build teams and operating models, and to use AI/tools to reduce administrative burden while preserving required approvals and human review.
  • Active Top Secret eligibility with current SCI access and counterintelligence polygraph; ability to obtain/maintain full-scope polygraph if required.
  • Additional experience across IC or SAP programs, industrial security, COMSEC, insider threat, or related disciplines.

Skills

Required:SCI/SAP security leadershipRegulatory compliance (NISPOM, ICD 703/704/705)SCIF/SAPF accreditation and facilities oversightGovernment customer relationship management

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
  • Pre-tax Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
  • Paid parental leave (birth parents up to 24 weeks, non-birthing up to 20 weeks) plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
  • Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt
  • 13+ paid company holidays and office closure days, paid sick or safe time
  • Mental health and wellness support
  • Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
  • Annual learning and development stipend
  • Daily meals in offices and meal delivery credits
  • Relocation assistance for eligible employees
  • Additional fringe benefits (e.g., charitable donation matching, wellness stipends) as applicable
  • OpenAI’s affirmative action and equal employment opportunity policy
  • Background checks in accordance with law, with fair chance considerations per applicable ordinances and acts
Last updated Sep 10, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About OpenAI

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