Security Specialist Jobs in Virginia

Security Specialist jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in defense contracting, federal agency support, and critical infrastructure protection, with openings at every level from entry-level security officer to senior program security officer. The heaviest hiring clusters around Northern Virginia, the Hampton Roads metro, and the Richmond area, where employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and ManTech have deep, lasting footprints. The most in-demand specialties are physical security, information security oversight, and personnel security and insider threat programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles183+
Top employerAMERICAN SYSTEMS
Top cityArlington, VA
Cities hiring39
Work type65% On-site
Top industryCybersecurity

Showing 5 of 183+ Security Specialist jobs

Connected Logistics
Journeyman Information Assurance Security Specialist, RMF
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Connected Logistics
Added 1d ago
Journeyman Information Assurance Security Specialist, RMF
Connected Logistics
Springfield, Virginia
Customer Service
Customer Support
$100k - $110k/yr
Hybrid

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Connected Logistics
Sr. Information Assurance Security Specialist, RMF
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Connected Logistics
Added 1d ago
Sr. Information Assurance Security Specialist, RMF
Connected Logistics
Springfield, Virginia
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
Cybersecurity
Security Engineering
$110k - $120k/yr
Hybrid

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Connected Logistics
Sr. Information Assurance Security Specialist, Tenable
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Connected Logistics
Added 1d ago
Sr. Information Assurance Security Specialist, Tenable
Connected Logistics
Springfield, Virginia
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
Cybersecurity
Security Engineering
$110k - $120k/yr
Hybrid

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System High Corporation
Industrial Security Specialist (Junior)
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System High Corporation
Added 1d ago
Industrial Security Specialist (Junior)
System High Corporation
Arlington, Virginia
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$100k - $120k/yr
Bachelor of Science
201-500

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System High Corporation
Industrial Security Specialist DD254
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System High Corporation
Added 1d ago
Industrial Security Specialist DD254
System High Corporation
Arlington, Virginia
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$100k - $120k/yr
Associate's degree
201-500

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See All 183+ Security Specialist Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Security Specialist Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Springfield
15 jobs
Crystal City
15 jobs
Reston
11 jobs
Quantico
10 jobs
Richmond
8 jobs
Alexandria
7 jobs
Herndon
5 jobs
Norfolk
5 jobs

Security Specialist Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • AMERICAN SYSTEMS
    AMERICAN SYSTEMS16
  • Serco
    Serco15
  • Amazon
    Amazon8
  • Target
    Target7
  • Booz Allen Hamilton
    Booz Allen Hamilton6

Top Industries Hiring

  • Cybersecurity
  • Consumer Goods
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Distribution & Wholesale
  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in security specialist jobs across Virginia.

  • Active Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) registration or recognized equivalent credential
  • DoD security clearance at the Secret or Top Secret level preferred for most positions
  • Experience with physical security systems, access control, and surveillance operations
  • Familiarity with federal security standards such as NISPOM, ICD 705, or FIPS guidelines
  • CPR, first aid, and emergency response certifications commonly required by hiring employers
  • Strong written communication skills for incident reporting, security assessments, and briefings

Security Specialist Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a security specialist in Virginia?

Most security specialist roles in Virginia require registration with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, which oversees private security licensing in the state. Candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, completion of a DCJS-approved training program covering subjects like legal authority and emergency response, and a clean background check. For roles supporting federal contracts, a DoD security clearance is often required alongside relevant education or prior military or law enforcement experience.

How much do security specialists make in Virginia?

Security specialists in Virginia earn a median of about $85,200 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $46,650 for the lowest 10% to over $156,750 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire security specialists in Virginia?

Employers hiring security specialists in Virginia right now include AMERICAN SYSTEMS, Serco, and Amazon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Virginia's concentration of defense contractors and federal agencies means many of these openings require or strongly prefer candidates who already hold an active security clearance.

Which Virginia cities have the most security specialist jobs?

Arlington, Springfield, and Crystal City have the most security specialist openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates due to its dense cluster of federal agencies, intelligence community facilities, and defense contractors, while Hampton Roads draws significant demand from the Navy, Coast Guard, and supporting contractors based at and around Naval Station Norfolk.

Are there remote security specialist jobs in Virginia?

Yes, but they're rare. Security specialist work is largely site-based, requiring physical presence for access control, patrols, and facility oversight. About 35% of security specialist openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in analytical or administrative functions such as personnel security adjudication, compliance review, and security program management rather than hands-on protective roles.

How can I get hired as a security specialist in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is completing a DCJS-approved basic security officer training program, which qualifies candidates for unarmed and armed security positions across Virginia without prior experience. Large defense contractors and federal facilities in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads regularly bring on entry-level security officers who then move into specialist roles as they accumulate clearance history and site experience. Pursuing a DoD security clearance early, even at the Secret level, gives candidates a significant hiring edge for positions supporting federal contracts.

Where can I find and apply to security specialist jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to security specialist jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, Richmond, and beyond. Find roles that fit your experience level and specialty and apply directly to the employer.

See All 183+ Security Specialist Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Security Specialist Jobs