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Akima

Federal contractor delivering facilities, IT, logistics

Personnel Security Specialist 4 – Lead

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026Deadline 10/7/27
$95k - $105k
Senior
Arlington County, Arlington, VA, USA
HybridHybrid work in Arlington, Virginia.
Risk & Compliance
No H1B Sponsorship
US Top Secret Clearance Required

About the job

Requirements
  • Expert knowledge or awareness of and adherence to government policies and regulations governing security suitability and eligibility, including Federal Investigative Standards, Executive Orders 12968, 13526, and 10450, Code of Federal Regulations, Security Executive Agent Directives, Intelligence Community Directive 704, or other guidelines used to make adjudication recommendations.
  • Ability to manage reviews of systems, databases, security questionnaires, reports of investigation, law enforcement documents, incident reports, and other source security information to make suitability, eligibility, and adjudication recommendations or determinations.
  • Ability to make recommendations in accordance with regulations regarding whether applicants meet employment requirements for sensitive or non-sensitive positions and applicable adjudicative guidelines.
  • Ability to assist with implementation of operational policies, procedures, programs, and standards, including the Trusted Workforce Continuous Evaluation Program, continuous vetting, and RAPBACK.
  • Ability to assist Federal staff in developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Ability to implement security directives and recommend solutions to unique and complex security problems in coordination with senior security specialists, including follow-up written communications.
  • Ability to contribute to improvements in functional and automated subdivision processes.
  • Ability to help lead a team of specialists by reviewing work, providing training on current and new processes, auditing casework, and managing the overall caseload.
  • Ability to serve as the team point of contact for operational requests, operations meetings, team reports, customer requests, and customer follow-up.
  • Expert knowledge of case processing, systems, procedures, and requirements.
  • Strong understanding of case types and their specific processing requirements.
  • Good understanding of Microsoft programs.
  • Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
Responsibilities
  • Manage reviews of systems, databases, security questionnaires, reports of investigation, law enforcement documents, incident reports, and other source security information to make suitability, eligibility, and adjudication recommendations or determinations.
  • Make recommendations in accordance with regulations regarding applicant eligibility for sensitive or non-sensitive positions and applicable adjudicative guidelines.
  • Assist Federal staff in developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Implement security directives and recommend resolutions to unique and complex security problems in coordination with senior security specialists, including solutions and follow-up written communications.
  • Contribute to initiatives that improve functional and automated processes within the subdivision.
  • Provide Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility support, including Scattered Castles checks.
  • Perform duties of Personal Security Associate III and/or Personal Security Specialist III as required.
  • Maintain all system and application access required for the role.
  • Support new-hire onboarding by assisting with and tracking system access setup; providing initial process overviews and guidance; explaining daily attendance and Daily Activity Report procedures; delivering guidance sessions to new and existing team members; monitoring new-hire progress; assigning a teammate through the Buddy System; and guiding administrative tasks such as timesheets, email setup, and paid-time-off procedures.
  • Act as the primary liaison between team members and branch management.
  • Initiate customer communications when needed, copying the Program Manager, and promptly notify the Program Manager of issues, questions, or concerns.
  • Assist with urgent matters and cases, which may occur multiple times a day, and coordinate with the Program Manager to prioritize issues.
  • Oversee Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility duty requirements, coordinate scheduling and coverage to maintain compliance with security protocols and required system access, serve as a contact for related questions and issues, keep the Program Manager informed, and participate in SCIF duty.
  • Assist the Program Manager in tracking team attendance and ensure paid time off is reflected on the Program Manager’s, Deputy’s, and Leads’ calendars.
  • Support the Program Manager with weekly and monthly reporting and verify Daily Activity Report numbers for accurate reporting.
  • Attend all Leads meetings, share concerns, roadblocks, ideas, and suggestions, and provide briefings.

About the company

Akima provides services to the U.S. federal government across facilities, IT, logistics, protective services, systems engineering, mission support, FF&E, and construction. It delivers contracted, integrated services to help government missions succeed. As a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation, Akima aims to create long-term value for its parent while achieving superior outcomes for customers, guided by Iñupiat values. Its differentiators include Alaska Native ownership, a broad multi-domain service footprint, and a focus on federal missions; its goal is to support customer missions and sustain value for NANA and the Iñupiat community.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Founded

1995

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Akima subsidiaries won MDA SHIELD positions on March 16, 2026.
  • Akima Data Management won FDA DevSecOps support worth $4.6 million in April 2026.
  • Akima’s 2025 Washington Technology rank improved to 31, signaling stronger scale.

What critics are saying

  • Akima faces dependence on federal spending and procurement timing across U.S. agencies.
  • Arevalo v. Akima, LLC reached the Fourth Circuit in July 2026.
  • Pinnacle Solutions' GSA schedule ends August 8, 2026, threatening recompete disruption.

What makes Akima unique

  • NANA-owned Alaska Native Corporation status helps Akima win set-aside federal work.
  • Akima spans facilities, IT, logistics, protective services, systems engineering, and construction.
  • Pinnacle Solutions adds Air Force training and sustainment depth after April 2023 acquisition.

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Benefits

  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match

Company News

PR Newswire
Oct 8th, 2026
Akima appoints Michael Teegardin as VP of marketing and communications

Akima, a federal government solutions provider with over 11,000 employees, has appointed Michael Teegardin as Vice President of Marketing & Communications. Teegardin will lead the company's brand, marketing, and communications strategy across the enterprise. Teegardin brings more than 20 years of experience advising senior leadership in the defence, aerospace, and federal services sectors. He most recently served as Chief Communications Officer at ASRC Federal, where he established the enterprise marketing function and led the company's rebranding. Previously, Teegardin held communications positions at BAE Systems and Weber Shandwick. A US Army veteran, he served as an intelligence analyst during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a Master of Science in Communication from Purdue University. Akima is a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation.

PR Newswire
Feb 19th, 2026
Akima appoints Lauren Cates as VP of business development for Emerging Markets Group

Akima, a federal government solutions provider, has appointed Lauren Cates as vice president of business development for its Emerging Markets Group. Cates will lead growth strategy and expand the company's presence in delivering mission-critical technologies to government and military customers. Cates brings over 15 years of federal contracting experience. She previously led Indigo IT's growth team, securing major contracts in cybersecurity, cloud and enterprise IT services, and spent more than a decade with Bowhead Family of Companies managing billion-dollar pipelines. Akima, a subsidiary of Alaska Native Corporation NANA, employs over 11,000 people and delivers solutions across IT, logistics, aerospace and construction. The company ranked #31 on Washington Technology's 2025 Top 100 government contractors list.

PR Newswire
Feb 12th, 2026
Akima appoints Marcus Lopez as chief operating officer to drive operational excellence

Akima, a federal government contractor, has appointed Marcus Lopez as chief operating officer. Lopez will report to president and CEO Bill Monet and oversee operational excellence and customer delivery. Lopez brings over 30 years of experience in government and commercial sectors. Most recently, he served as president and chief growth officer at Belcan, a Cognizant company, where he led the integration of a $20 billion enterprise. Previously, he headed ManTech's Advanced Research Technology Business Unit. A former US Navy officer and pilot, Lopez commanded an elite strike/fighter squadron. Akima is a subsidiary of NANA, an Alaska Native Corporation, employing 11,000 people and delivering solutions in IT, aerospace, construction and other areas. The company ranked 31st on Washington Technology's 2025 Top 100 government contractors list.

WashingtonExec
Apr 12th, 2023
Akima Buys Pinnacle Solutions | WashingtonExec

Akima has entered into a definitive agreement to buy Pinnacle Solutions, Inc., a provider of training and sustainment products and services to defense