Job Description

The Mission Concepts and Capabilities Division (MCC) of Applied Research Associates, Inc (ARA) is seeking a full-time Weapons and Tactics Vault Support F-15 to provide support to the customer. The right candidates will provide comprehensive security, vault management, and advanced program support at Hill AFB, Nellis AFB, and Langley AFB. These roles ensure compliance with DoD and USAF security directives, maintain accountability of classified materials, manage vault operations, and support advanced program security requirements. You will work closely with the unit Advanced Programs (AP) Office, Program Security Manager (PSM), Cyber-Security Liaison, and squadron leadership to enable mission readiness and compliance.

We are seeking to add the following number of right candidates to our teams at the following locations:

(1) Shaw AFB
(1) Mount Home

This position is contingent upon award of a contract expected in March 2026.

Essential Functions:

• Complete initial Activity Security Manager (ASM) training provided by unit Advanced Programs (AP) Office.
• Comply with all requirements as directed by unit AP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Provide advice/guidance to the AP Program Security Manager (PSM) on squadron security issues.
• Assist PSM in developing and implementing security policies, plans, and procedures for all personnel and facilities that support advanced or special programs.
• Assist in the interpretation and proper application of squadron-specific or related Security Directives and Security Classification Guides.
• Research, interpret, analyze, and apply security guidelines from various sources for local application.
• Assist the Unit AP Cyber-Security Liaison by scheduling AIS maintenance, keeping inventory databases current, and conducting audits on Government-operated AIS equipment.
• Ensure initial and annual AIS training is conducted for all squadron AIS users.
• Report AIS violations to the unit AP office.
• Ensure all personnel comply with annual security training requirements and develop training material and lesson plans as required.
• Ensure all squadron personnel follow all plans and procedures, including facility SOPs, AIS Security Plan, Emergency Action Plan, and OPSEC plan.
• Conduct vault indoctrination briefings, WDO training, vault opening/closing procedures, and classified courier training as required.
• Prepare deployment plans and gather required documents for off-station aircraft events.
• Ensure foreign travel requirements are met before personnel travel to foreign countries.
• Obtain training and certification to act as a classified courier.
• Provide vault-related duties including compliance with DoDM 5205.07 vol’s 1-4, 1CD-705, SAP directives, SCGs, oversight of vault activities, updating checklists, maintaining access control systems, conducting self-inspections, monitoring facility discrepancies, maintaining accountability of materials, ensuring equipment standards, conducting annual vault inventory, processing classified shipments, safeguarding and destruction of classified material, reducing inventories, reporting security incidents, supporting investigations, and performing additional duties per WDO guidance.
• Provide visit certification duties including preparing and verifying visit requests, escorting visitors, monitoring foreign national visits, and coordinating maintenance services.
• Perform facility manager duties including security container combination changes, monitoring alarm systems, responding to after-hour alarms, and conducting vault opening/closing procedures

Required Skills:

• Bachelors degree with 0-2 years of experience with USAF fighter squadron, group, or wing weapons and tactics shop security-related operations – 2 Years OR Experience with DoD flying squadron, group, or wing weapons and tactics shop security-related operations OR 6+ years of experience in lieu of a degree
• Experience applying policies and procedures outlined in DoDM 5205.07 vol’s 1-4, 1CD-705, and any other SAP requirements set forth from MAJCOM and/or wing AP
• Experience with information, industrial, and personnel security concepts, principles, and practices, participating in the planning and implementation of security programs within an organization
• Experience with required security training concepts, programs, procedures, and practices, assisting managers in establishing and complying with internal security programs
• Experience developing, analyzing, and evaluating security programs; meeting mission requirements; and improving an organization's security program
• Possess TS clearance with SCI and SAP/SAR eligibility and willingness to submit to a Counterintelligence polygraph
• Must be a US Citizen

Preferred Skills:

• Active Top Secret SCI with polygraph clearance
• Have recent experience supporting CAF FS/AFWX/ASOS or wing weapons and tactics who security related operations

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 Weapons and Tactics Shop Vault Support F-15 position.

Compensation & Benefits:

Pay Ranges: From $65,000-$79,000 per year based on location, years of experience, degree and any special skills and knowledge that they may bring to the position.

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/