Physical Security Manager Jobs in Needham, MA (NOW HIRING)

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We're a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies - collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation's health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose - and help shape the future. The R315 Physical Security and Safety Department protects MITRE personnel, facilities, classified operations, enterprise assets, and sponsor mission activities through the management and execution of enterprise physical security and safety programs. The department delivers consistent, professional security services aligned with federal requirements, internal policies, and operational risk management objectives across multiple facilities and mission areas. Core responsibilities include access control, visitor management, guard force oversight, physical security systems coordination, incident response, emergency preparedness, workplace safety support, and operational security for classified and sensitive environments. The department partners closely with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen security posture, improve service delivery, and support safe, efficient business operations through professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement. Position Overview: The Regional Physical Security Operations Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational oversight, and continuous improvement of MITRE's physical security programs across assigned MITRE locations. This role ensures the protection of MITRE personnel, facilities, information, and assets through the implementation and management of comprehensive physical security operations, regulatory compliance programs, emergency preparedness initiatives, and enterprise security technologies. This position provides direct supervision to the Bedford Physical Security Operations Manager and serves as the senior operational leader responsible for aligning site security operations with enterprise-wide security objectives, National Industrial Security Program requirements, and MITRE's mission needs. The Regional Physical Security Manager partners closely with Industrial Security, EH&S, Corporate Real Estate, Legal, Human Resources, and government stakeholders to maintain an integrated and resilient security posture across all assigned MITRE campuses and facilities. This position requires a leader who can effectively balance strategic planning, operational leadership, workforce development, regulatory compliance, and emergency response coordination in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Roles & Responsibilities: Strategic Security Leadership * Leads and oversees regional physical security operations and programs across assigned MITRE facilities.
* Develops and implements enterprise-aligned physical security strategies, policies, standards, and operational procedures.
* Ensures consistent execution of physical security operations, access control measures, emergency response capabilities, and security technology integration across all sites.
* Provides leadership guidance and operational direction to site-level security managers and supervisors.
* Serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership regarding physical security risks, vulnerabilities, operational readiness, and mitigation strategies.
* Evaluates emerging threats and recommends enhancements to security programs, technologies, staffing, and operational procedures. Operational Oversight * Oversees 24/7/365 physical security operations supporting MITRE facilities and personnel.
* Supervises the Bedford Physical Security Operations Manager and other assigned security leadership personnel.
* Ensures operational consistency and accountability across security operations centers, guard force operations, reception services, access control functions, and incident response activities.
* Reviews staffing models, scheduling practices, operational metrics, and workforce readiness to ensure effective coverage and performance.
* Ensures proper safeguarding of classified and sensitive information in accordance with NISPOM requirements and MITRE policies.
* Provides executive oversight of access control systems, CCTV systems, intrusion detection systems, visitor management systems, emergency communication platforms, and related security technologies.
* Supports business continuity and continuity of operations planning efforts.
Workforce Management & Development * Builds, develops, and leads high-performing physical security teams and supervisory personnel.
* Establishes performance expectations, accountability standards, and leadership development initiatives for subordinate managers and supervisors.
* Oversees recruitment, onboarding, training, certification, and professional development activities for physical security personnel.
* Provides coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and performance management support to subordinate leaders.
* Promotes a culture of professionalism, operational excellence, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Security Compliance & Risk Management * Ensures compliance with all applicable federal regulations, contractual obligations, MITRE policies, and industry best practices related to physical and industrial security.
* Oversees audits, inspections, vulnerability assessments, and security program evaluations.
* Partners with Industrial Security personnel to ensure compliance with the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and associated government security requirements.
* Supports implementation and maintenance of enterprise physical security standards and governance frameworks.
* Reviews and analyzes security incidents, trends, and operational data to identify risks and recommend corrective actions.
Incident Management & Emergency Response * Serves as senior escalation authority for significant security incidents, operational disruptions, emergencies, and crisis events within assigned region.
* Coordinates with internal stakeholders to respond to and/or assess security incidents, workplace incidents, threats, or acts of wrongdoing occurring within MITRE facilities.
* Coordinates with internal stakeholders and external emergency responders during emergency situations.
* Ensures proper incident documentation, reporting, after-action reviews, and corrective action implementation.
* Supports enterprise emergency preparedness, crisis management, and resilience initiatives. Stakeholder Engagement * Collaborates with government customers, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and internal MITRE organizations to support mission requirements and operational objectives.
* Builds strong partnerships with Facilities, EH&S, Information Security, HR, Legal, and program leadership to ensure integrated security support.
* Briefs senior leadership regarding operational status, security risks, compliance matters, and strategic initiatives. Basic Qualifications * Requires a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in physical security operations, industrial security, law enforcement, military security operations, or related security leadership roles; or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
* 5 plus years of experience managing teams.
* Demonstrated experience leading multi-site or regional security operations programs.
* Proven supervisory and leadership experience managing managers, supervisors, and multi-layered security organizations.
* Strong knowledge of physical security principles including access control systems, intrusion detection systems, CCTV, emergency response operations, and security operations center management.
* Experience operating within cleared facility environments and working knowledge of the National Industrial Security Program (NISP).
* Demonstrated ability to lead complex 24/7/365 operational environments.
* Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience briefing senior leadership.
* Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion during high-stress or emergency situations.
* Must have an active Top-Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
* This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site in Bedford, MA. Preferred Qualifications * Active Top Secret Security Clearance with SCI eligibility. * Demonstrated expertise in U.S. Government security standards including 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM) and related federal security requirements.
* Experience managing enterprise physical security programs across multiple facilities or geographic regions.
* Strong understanding of industrial security practices, risk management methodologies, and physical security compliance frameworks.
* Experience overseeing contract guard force operations and enterprise security technologies.
* Operational experience with enterprise security systems including CCURE, Lenel, Ocularis, Genetec, SIMS, or comparable platforms.
* Professional security certification such as CPP, PSP, CISSP, or equivalent credential.
* Bachelor's or Master's degree in Security Management, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Business Management, or related discipline.
* Experience supporting continuity of operations, emergency management, or crisis response