About the Role
ABOUT THE TEAM
The Industrial Security team enables OpenAI’s classified and national security work by building secure, compliant programs that support government customers and protect sensitive information. We partner across Security, Legal, People, Facilities, Engineering, IT, and program leadership to translate complex government requirements into practical operating models that allow important work to move forward responsibly. Our work spans personnel security, classified facilities, special programs, government customer engagement, and the safeguards required to operate in highly regulated environments.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Senior Special Programs Security Manager, you will lead security operations for OpenAI’s Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAP), serving in customer-designated roles such as Contractor Special Security Officer (CSSO) or Contractor Program Security Officer (CPSO). You will help shape how OpenAI operates across the Intelligence Community and other national security environments, building the relationships, processes, and security foundations required to support classified work at scale.
We’re looking for someone who brings deep special programs expertise, sound operational judgment, and the credibility to work directly with government customers and senior internal stakeholders. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone comfortable navigating ambiguity, helping build the function, mentoring future team members, and finding compliant paths forward when mission needs and security requirements intersect.
This role is based in San Francisco, CA, or Washington, DC. We use a hybrid work model of three days in the office per week and offer relocation assistance to new employees. Additional onsite presence and occasional travel may be required based on classified program, facility, and government customer needs.
This position requires active Top Secret eligibility, current SCI access, and a current count