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Full Time Top Secret Clearance Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Full Time Top Secret Clearance information

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How much do full time top secret clearance jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time top secret clearance in the United States is $134,144.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $144,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a full time top secret clearance job?

Full Time Top Secret Clearance jobs are positions that require employees to work full-time hours and possess a Top Secret security clearance, typically granted by the U.S. government. These roles often involve handling or accessing highly sensitive information that could impact national security. Full Time Top Secret Clearance jobs are commonly found in federal agencies, defense contractors, or organizations supporting government operations. Obtaining such clearance involves a rigorous background check and continuous monitoring to ensure trustworthiness and reliability.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in full-time roles that require Top Secret clearance?

Professionals in full-time positions requiring Top Secret clearance often face unique challenges such as stringent security protocols, limitations on sharing work details with friends or family, and regular reinvestigations to maintain clearance. The work environment is typically highly structured, with strict access controls and the need to follow detailed procedures for handling sensitive information. Additionally, adapting to compartmentalized information can require strong communication and collaboration skills, as team members may only have access to parts of a project. Maintaining professionalism and confidentiality at all times is essential for success in these roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a full-time role requiring Top Secret Clearance?

To thrive in a full-time position requiring Top Secret Clearance, you need relevant professional expertise (such as IT, analysis, or security), a proven track record of trustworthiness, and eligibility for federal security vetting. Familiarity with secure communication systems, classified information handling procedures, and often certifications like Security+ or CISSP are typically required. Discretion, integrity, and strong problem-solving skills set top candidates apart in these sensitive roles. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure the protection of national security information and the effective performance of critical duties.

What is the difference between Full Time Top Secret Clearance vs Full Time Secret Clearance?

AspectFull Time Top Secret ClearanceFull Time Secret Clearance
Required CredentialsSecurity clearance, background check, polygraph (if applicable)Security clearance, background check
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, defense contractors, sensitive projectsGovernment agencies, defense contractors, less sensitive projects
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in defense, intelligence, national securityDefense, government, some intelligence roles
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Full Time Top Secret Clearance involves access to highly sensitive information and requires more rigorous background checks and polygraph tests compared to Full Time Secret Clearance. Both are used in government and defense sectors, but Top Secret clearance grants access to more classified data, making it suitable for roles with higher security requirements.

What civilian jobs can I get with a full time top secret clearance?

Civilian jobs that require a full-time top secret clearance include roles in government agencies, defense contractors, intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, and national security. These positions often involve handling sensitive information, conducting investigations, or supporting military operations, and may require specialized skills and security protocols.
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Cities with the most Full Time 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 Full Time Top Secret Clearance jobs?

States with the most job openings for Full Time Top Secret Clearance jobs include:

Security Software Engineer - Top Secret Clearance

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

SECURITY SOFTWARE ENGINEER - TOP SECRET CLEARANCE
As a Security Software Engineer for the Special Programs team, you will contribute to the software development lifecycle for both application and hardware systems, particularly in U.S. Government and ITAR-controlled environments. Expertise in cybersecurity fundamentals and familiarity with ITAR regulations will be beneficial to securely handle ITAR-controlled technical data and payloads. A successful Security Software Engineer will see the big picture, prioritize accordingly, and be comfortable working at different levels of abstraction. Ideal candidates will have notable skills in one or more of the following: 

  • Application security
  • Applied cryptography
  • Network security
  • Operating system security
  • Secure/authenticated boot
  • Incident response and adversary detection
  • Vulnerability research

Being flexible, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams are paramount to success here. If you are passionate about building quality products, love the challenges of outsmarting adversaries, and want to make an impact on an interplanetary scale, then you will fit right in. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Maintain existing production systems and improve security posture via both direct implementation and recommendations to other teams.
  • Build prototypes and help identify, design, and test security improvements.
  • Implement and promote secure coding practices and software development security methodologies throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Implement and enforce secure coding practices (SAST, DAST, threat modeling) throughout the software development lifecycle.
  • Work closely with software engineers to set software needs, ensure hardware and software integrate smoothly, troubleshoot and fix major system problems.
  • Partner with various teams to define software requirements, system design, and integration strategies.
  • Review and guide software development for ITAR-controlled payloads, following all export laws and company rules strictly.
  • Ensure all software work and outputs meet U.S. Government standards and ITAR regulations.
  • Handle ITAR systems extensively, including controlling access to sensitive technical data and complying with all relevant rules.
  • Create and update detailed software documentation, including design specs, test plans, verification steps, and reports needed for U.S. Government contracts and ITAR compliance.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or another STEM discipline; or 2+ years of professional experience in security software development in lieu of a degree.
  • Experience with one or more software development languages (i.e. Python, C++, Rust).
  • Experience designing and implementing security solutions for operating systems, distributed systems, or other enterprise/large-scale infrastructure.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

  • Experience contributing security improvements to complex systems.
  • Fundamental understanding of network protocols; including the TCP/IP stack as well as UDP based protocols.
  • Experienced in navigating large, complex, interactive systems.
  • Flexibility, communicating clearly, and establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other engineering teams.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Ability to work both independently and in a team.
  • Demonstrated ability to deal with ambiguity and to learn new technologies quickly.
  • Experience with U.S. Government contracts, including knowledge of government standards and procurement processes.
  • Deep knowledge and practical experience with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
  • Experience with software version control (e.g., Git), CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing tools.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for troubleshooting complex software-hardware integration issues.
  • Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance.    

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

  • This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role. Should you be unable to obtain it, SpaceX reserves the right to modify or terminate your employment to align with operational needs.
  • 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:
Security Software Engineer /Level I: $130,000.00 - $155,000.00/per year
Security Software Engineer /Level II: $150,000.00 - $180,000.00/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.


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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