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Entry Level Top Secret Clearance Jobs (NOW HIRING)

DevSecOps Engineer (Top Secret Clearance)

Reston, VA · Remote

$55 - $75.25/hr

Active Top Secret clearance. * 2+ years of experience with DevSecOps practices, including integrating security scanning and vulnerability detection into CI/CD workflows. What We Would Like You to ...

Top Secret Clearance required Preferred Qualifications: * Customer Service Experience * 1 yr of similar work experience * Cleans building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming them.

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Entry Level Top Secret Clearance information

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How much do entry level top secret clearance jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level top secret clearance in the United States is $26.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $23.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Top Secret Clearance vs Entry Level Confidential Clearance?

AspectEntry Level Top Secret ClearanceEntry Level Confidential Clearance
Required CredentialsBackground check, security clearance process, sometimes polygraphBasic background check, security clearance process
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, defense contractors, intelligence agenciesSimilar government and defense roles, less sensitive info
Employer & Industry UsageU.S. government, military, defense contractorsU.S. government, civilian agencies, defense contractors

Entry Level Top Secret Clearance involves access to highly sensitive information and requires a thorough background check, often including polygraph tests. Entry Level Confidential Clearance is for less sensitive data, with a simpler clearance process. Both roles are common in government and defense sectors, but Top Secret clearance grants access to more classified information, making it suitable for roles with higher security requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by entry-level professionals working in roles that require top secret clearance?

Entry-level professionals in positions requiring Top Secret clearance often encounter challenges related to information security protocols and the need for strict confidentiality in daily tasks. Adjusting to highly regulated environments, where even minor actions are closely monitored, can require a significant mindset shift. Additionally, communication with colleagues may be restricted based on clearance levels, impacting collaboration and workflow. However, these roles offer valuable exposure to sensitive projects and can serve as a strong foundation for long-term careers in government or defense sectors.

What are entry level top secret clearance jobs?

Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs are positions that require candidates to have or be eligible for a Top Secret security clearance, even if they have little or no prior professional experience. These roles are commonly found in government agencies, defense contractors, and organizations working with sensitive or classified information. Typical responsibilities may include administrative tasks, analysis, IT support, or security monitoring. Obtaining a Top Secret clearance involves a thorough background check and is necessary to access highly confidential information vital to national security.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level professional with top secret clearance?

To thrive in an entry-level position requiring Top Secret Clearance, you typically need a relevant bachelor's degree, strong analytical skills, and the ability to obtain and maintain security clearance. Familiarity with secure communication systems, classified information protocols, and basic cybersecurity tools is often expected. Attention to detail, integrity, and strong verbal and written communication skills help set candidates apart. These competencies are crucial to ensure the protection of sensitive information and effective contribution to high-security environments.
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Top Secret Clearance job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Top Secret Clearance jobs? The most popular types of Top Secret Clearance jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Top Secret Clearance jobs are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Top Secret Clearance job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,594 per year, or $26.7 per hour.

Site Reliability Engineer - Top Secret Clearance

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 hours ago


SpaceX rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SITE RELIABILITY ENGINEER - TOP SECRET CLEARANCE
As a Site Reliability Engineer, you will design, develop, and test key aspects of an in-house solution for analysis, simulation, and prototyping of software in support of all SpaceX flight systems. You will have full ownership of new features in the automation and technical infrastructure to support scalable high-performance web applications in addition to a suite of simulation and emulation products. This is a high-impact role where you will work across the engineering groups to build a high-throughput distributed system used to develop and demonstrate cutting-edge software and hardware. SpaceX is looking for smart, motivated software engineers who enjoy taking on complex challenges, work well in dynamic Environments, and care about software best practices. Our application software is critical to future mission success and we have no shortage of interesting challenges that require innovative, cutting-edge solutions.
Our application software is critical to future mission success and we have no shortage of interesting challenges that require innovative, cutting-edge solutions.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Develop automation to deploy and manage applications both on-premises and in the cloud
  • Deploy and manage core infrastructure technologies such as applications servers, databases, messaging queues and storage
  • Install, manage, scale and optimize Kubernetes and RKE clusters using Ansible and adjacent technologies in production environments
  • Closely collaborate with software engineers to create highly scalable, operable and maintainable products
  • Closely collaborate with IT and software engineers to develop test automation suite leveraging DevOps infrastructure
  • Engage in and improve the whole lifecycle of services -- from inception and design, through deployment, operation and refinement
  • Work closely with other SpaceX engineers to gather requirements, research, evaluate, design, plan, deploy, and support software platforms and related technologies running in Kubernetes within a world-class environment that meets the needs of the demanding SpaceX engineering teams
  • Build highly resilient, high-performance, scalable, and robust systems
  • Exercise a high degree of personal responsibility for the processes, systems, and tools you create and manage; all supporting the goal of making humanity a multiplanetary species

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or an engineering discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software, DevOps, or site reliability engineering in lieu of a degree
  • 1+ year of experience with Linux operating systems
  • Experience in Bash, Python, or other scripting languages
  • Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • 1+ years of systems administration, site reliability engineering, or DevOps experience
  • Experience with containerization technologies (i.e. Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Experience with the Linux shell as well as configuring and extending Linux instances (e.g. kernel modules, Control Groups, Public Key Infrastructure, iptables, interfaces).
  • 1+ years of experience with Python and Python-based development frameworks
  • Strong understanding of Kubernetes, Docker, or similar technologies
  • Strong understanding of message queue technologies such as RabbitMQ or Kafka
  • Strong understanding of virtualization and hypervisor technologies
  • Understanding of databases and performance tuning
  • Experience with identity management and authentication protocols
  • Focus on performance bottlenecks and performance improvement techniques
  • Excellent communications skills with the ability to communicate with customers, peers, management etc. in both formal and informal situations
  • Ability to quickly learn new tools and frameworks
  • Experience with dynamic system configuration templating using Jinja, YAML and Helm

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
  • Willing to work extended hours and weekends when needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Site Reliability Engineer/Level I: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year
Site Reliability Engineer/Level II: $145,000.00 - $175,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to the Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US