Sr. Program Security Representative (Sr. PSR) DARPA

About the Role

The Senior Program Security Representative (Sr PSR) is embedded directly within DARPA Technical Offices as part of a Program Manager’s team. The Sr PSR develops and executes protection strategies for advanced technologies, spanning fundamental research, CUI, collateral, SAP, SCI, and other compartmented information categories. This position requires deep expertise in security architecture, risk analysis, and the ability to balance security requirements with cost and schedule constraints.

Job Details

• Work Location: DARPA Headquarters, 675 North Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22203 (one block from Ballston Mall)
• Work Arrangement: On‑site at DARPA HQ (remote work possible)
• Travel: Up to 25 % domestic/CONUS
• Dress Code: Business casual
• Core Hours: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Parking: Ballston Mall (pay to park) and surrounding streets (pay to park)
• Metro: Ballston‑MU Metro Station (four blocks from the work location)
• Key Position: Requires 30‑day notice for resignation
• Clearance/Access: Top Secret with SCI eligibility

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement security architectures for new technology programs across the classification spectrum, including facilitating intelligence requests and balancing security, cost, and schedule impacts.
• Research and recommend short‑ and long‑term program protection strategies and tactics for new, established, or evolving programs.
• Determine and apply appropriate security requirements (physical, information, personnel, etc.) and prepare improvement suggestions.
• Participate proactively in the BAA process, ensuring security requirements are clearly identified and coordinated with the DARPA PM and BAA Coordinator.
• Execute security aspects of the BAA process, including Industry Day briefings, PAR processing, facility/IT accreditation, and coordination for secure dispatch and receipt of classified materials.
• Create, submit (within 5 business days), and disseminate (within 2 business days) DD 254s for classified efforts.
• Apply expert knowledge of Executive Order 13526, NISPOM, DoD Information Security Manuals, and DoD SAP Security Manuals.
• Facilitate creation, coordination, and annual updates to Program Security Documents (PSDs) within established timelines (typically ≤ 10 business days).
• Create, coordinate, and maintain Program Protection Implementation Plans for all assigned programs.
• Identify critical and enabling technologies via Technology Decomposition and produce a DARPA S&T Protection Plan within 10 business days of tasking.
• Incorporate Technical Area Protection Plan (TAPP) guidance where applicable into project security and classification architectures.
• Coordinate and assess DARPA performer‑created S&T Protection Plans that support larger project protection plans.
• Provide comprehensive briefings to SID leadership on sensitive test plans involving unclassified and classified projects.
• Assess risk associated with foreign‑government talent programs at U.S. colleges and universities and advise on conflicts of interest.
• Facilitate execution of CUI projects and maintain expertise in EO 13556, ISOO CUI Program, DoDI 5200.48, and relevant DFARS clauses (e.g., 252.204‑7012, 252.204‑7019, 252.204‑7021).
• Perform OPSEC analysis, identify critical program information, develop OPSEC plans, and provide OPSEC support.
• Conduct security reviews of documents submitted for public release and recommend classification handling.
• Coordinate with International Security and the DARPA International Cooperation Office to create Designated Disclosure Letters and Project Agreements for CUI/CMI sharing with foreign partners.
• Communicate with other Service/Agency security staff on horizontal protection, program execution, and transition matters.
• Develop program indoctrination briefings, indoctrinate new personnel, and de‑brief departing personnel.
• Support creation, processing, coordination, and approval of SAPF/SCIF and Automated Information Systems (AIS) accreditations; enter related data into DARPA security management systems (e.g., DFASTS, SCS, JADE, DSCRT, DSMD, DISS, NSS, etc.).
• Develop, review, coordinate, and execute a wide range of security documentation, including Security Classification Guides, Program Protection Plans, Test Security Plans, Public Affairs/Perception Management Plans, Exposure Contingency Plans, Network Accreditation Plans, System Security Plans, Technology Transfer and Program Transition Plans, SOPs, Co‑Utilization Agreements, OCONUS Deployment Plans, Managed Access Plans, Treaty Compliance Plans, Transportation Plans, Dismantle/Disposition/Demilitarization Plans, trip and meeting reports, MOUs, MOAs, and Manufacturing Security Plans.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute security support for meetings; attend program reviews (e.g., PDR, CDR, IPT) to monitor progress and anticipate security needs.
• Conduct staff assistance visits at performer locations; support contractor self‑inspection programs and SAPCO Security Compliance Team inspections.
• Assist in mitigating security incidents, track investigation progress, and provide final recommendations for closure.
• Plan and execute program close‑out actions, including participation in close‑out reviews at performer sites.
• Communicate autonomously and effectively across DARPA offices and with performer and transition‑partner security, technical, and management staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree plus 10