Argonne National Laboratory
Physical Security Engineer
4 days ago
About the Job
Lead and drive the design, deployment, and maintenance of sophisticated security solutions, integrating innovative technology to protect and fortify laboratory assets. Primary responsibilities will include implementing cutting-edge security solutions, introducing new and refined security standards, and continuously assessing and expanding upon existing measures. As a key liaison to Lab staff, will champion best practices, provide expert guidance, and ensure seamless deployment of emerging security technologies across diverse lab environments.
Responsibilities:
- Security Strategy & Standards Development: Spearhead the development of robust security strategies, policies, and standards in line with current industry trends, DOE regulatory requirements, and specific lab needs. Identify gaps in existing security frameworks and innovate to improve overall security posture, leveraging new technologies where appropriate.
- Threat Intelligence & Risk Mitigation: Conduct detailed security surveys, in-depth threat assessments, and risk analyses. Provide strategic recommendations for security improvements and threat response based on assessment findings, emerging threats, and vulnerability analyses.
- Advanced System Design & Documentation: Design, evaluate, and document high-level physical security systems for both exterior and interior applications. Prepare comprehensive bid specifications, cost analyses, and design documentation, emphasizing critical and emerging security solutions to meet DOE and lab-specific requirements.
- Engineering Design & Integration: Lead the engineering and design of complex security concepts, performing in-depth studies, calculations, and investigations for each project. Develop comprehensive design specifications for Intrusion Detection, Access Control, CCTV, and other integrated security systems, enabling secure, scalable, and resilient deployments.
- Network Security & Troubleshooting Expertise: Demonstrate advanced troubleshooting abilities in areas such as wireless connectivity, security protocols, switching, and a variety of network-related challenges. Ensure that network security measures align with the highest industry standards and lab-specific requirements.
- Technical Specifications & Documentation Management: Oversee the creation, revision, and publication of technical specifications, policies, procedures, forms, and job aids for lab-wide applications. Ensure accuracy and relevance of documentation, adapting to evolving security and operational needs.
- Security System Engineering & Implementation: Engineer and deploy specialized security systems, including electrical, optical, infrared, microwave detection, badging, and entry control systems. Lead the design and enhancement of electronic circuits for the Lab’s automated access control system and access control to optimize security and functionality.
- Work Order Management: Oversee and monitor the work order queue, prioritizing requests and capturing new demands as tickets. Document progress on work orders, ensure timely fulfillment, and maintain a transparent record of security-related projects and enhancements.
Position Requirements
To perform the essential functions of this position successful applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, which is required to comply with federal regulations and contract.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Tier 2 level HSPD12 PIV badge.
- Extensive technical experience , ideally within a laboratory, government, or critical infrastructure setting.
- Proven expertise in developing, implementing, and managing high-security physical and electronic systems, with a deep understanding of regulatory and compliance standards.
- Advanced troubleshooting skills across a range of network, wireless, and security technology domains.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to handle complex projects from concept to deployment.
- Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
- This role demands a strategic thinker and hands-on team member capable of shaping and evolving the security landscape within a complex laboratory environment. You will be essential in strengthening the lab’s security posture and ensuring robust, innovative, and resilient security solutions.
- This position will be hybrid, on-site presence will be required 4 days each week.
PT3 Level: Bachelor’s and 4+ years of experience or equivalent.
This position description documents the general nature and level of work but is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all activities, duties and responsibilities required of job incumbent. Consequently, job incumbent may be required to perform other duties as assigned.
Job Family
Professional Technical (PT)Job Profile
Security Operations 3Worker Type
RegularTime Type
Full timeThe expected hiring range for this position is $83,264.00 - $131,343.03.Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.
Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!
As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.
About the Company

Argonne National Laboratory
<p class="break-words white-space-pre-wrap t-black--light text-body-medium">Argonne National Laboratory, one of the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratories for science and engineering research, employs 3,400 employees, including 1,400 scientists and engineers, three-quarters of whom hold doctoral degrees. Argonne's annual operating budget of around $1 billion supports upwards of 200 research projects. Since 1990, Argonne has worked with more than 600 companies and numerous federal agencies and other organizations. Argonne's mission is to apply a unique mix of world-class science, engineering and user facilities to deliver innovative research and technologies. We create new knowledge that addresses the most important scientific and societal needs of our nation. We actively seek opportunities to work with industry to transfer our technologies to the marketplace through licensing, joint research and many other collaborative relationships. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. We are located on 1,500 acres (6.9 sq. km) in southwest DuPage County, Illinois 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Chicago. The site is completely encircled by the beautiful Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve.</p>
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