SCIF_SAPF Project Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 12, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 14, 2026. Applied Research Associates scores A on the Alion truth index.
The Mission Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) Division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) has an exciting opportunity for a full-time S ensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) and Special Access Program (SAPF) Facilities Project Manager at a location in the Arlington or Falls Church, VA area. The potential candidate will provide support to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical, and Biological Defense, Policy and Programs by supporting the strategic planning, design, physical and technical security implementation, accreditation lifecycle, ongoing security management, and ultimate turnover of all secure spaces across the enterprise.
Essential Functions:
- Project-Level SCIF Accreditation & Security Governance by establishing the security architecture and compliance baseline across the entire facility portfolio, ensuring that all physical, technical, and operational security requirements remain intact from design through lifecycle management.
- Secure Facility Operations & Lifetime SCIF Management overseeing activities beyond initial accreditation through continuous oversight of the accredited spaces and maintaining their security integrity.
- Portfolio & Project Management by managing the strategic execution, integration, and risk profiles of multiple concurrent secure-space initiatives.
- Technical Infrastructure & Network Security Architecture by possessing technical literacy to oversee the complex engineering systems required for accredited secure environments.
- Government Contracting & Stakeholder Integration by operating within a complex, highly regulated defense environment, acting as the central interface between multiple government and corporate entities.
Required Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Facilities Management, Project Management, or a related technical discipline (equivalent experience may be substituted).Applicants must hold an active Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility to apply for this position
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen
- 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in Project management, secure construction, facilities management, or technical systems rollout.
- 5+ years of direct experience leading the construction, build-out, technical security integration, and accreditation lifecycle of SCIFs or SAPFs under ICD 705 standards.
- Proven experience managing multi-site, multi-project portfolios with combined budgets exceeding $10M+.
- Experience working within active accredited SCIF/SAPF spaces, with a deep understanding of compartmented access, "need-to-know" protocols, and the strict physical separation of classified operations.
Preferred Skills:
- Project Management Professional (PMP) or Program Management Professional (PgMP).
- Relevant DoW, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, or Joint Air Force-Army-Navy facility security training.
- Certified Facility Manager or equivalent.
- Technical certifications in networking or secure infrastructure (e.g., CompTIA Security+, Network+, or ITIL).
Compensation & Benefits: Pay Ranges: From $180,000.00 - $190,000.00 per year based on years of experience, degree and any special skills and knowledge that you may bring to the position. We mostly reserve the upper half of our compensation bands for internal growth. During all call with one of our recruiters or hiring managers, they can further clarify the salary range and total compensation. ARA offers competitive benefits that address our employees’ needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at https://www.ara.com/benefits/
COMPANY INFORMATION:
Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2000 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.
At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership generates greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.
Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the SCIF_SAPF Project Manager position.