Associate Director - Special Access Programs Center of Excellence

Date Posted:

2026-11-11



Country:

United States of America



Location:

US-CT-EAST HARTFORD-ETC ~ 400 Main St ~ BLDG ETC



Position Role Type:

Onsite



U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​



Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret



Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

At RTX, the world largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. 

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power systems and has been revolutionizing modern flight for over 100 years. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

What You Will Do:

As the Associate Director for the SAP COE within Pratt & Whitney’s Government Security Compliance (GSC) department you will lead the execution and refinement of security strategies, policies, and procedures, leveraging program enhancements to ensure compliance with SAP/SCI directives. This is an individual contributor role where you will function as a critical point for contact for program security matters, collaborating with government agencies, internal teams, and stakeholders to ensure the secure handling of SAP/SCI information.

The selected candidate will be assigned to the Special Access Programs Security Office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze and improve processes and systems through in-depth understanding of best practices and functional leader input, to magnify the competitive position of the organization.
• You will identify and execute opportunities associated with improving security governance and operational efficiency within GSC. Complete duties as assigned by management to include but not limited to:
  • Lead the implementation of Department of Defense Special Access Program Security Manual, company Standard Operating Procedures and additional contractual security requirements. 
  • Recommend and implement functional strategies and operational plans with direct impact on results.
  • Act as the primary program security integrator and liaison across multiple programs, ensuring enabling security functions are effectively embedded into program operations.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to program security leadership, providing cross-program insight, risk perspective, and alignment recommendations.
  • Provide leadership and guidance to a team of security professionals, ensuring proper training, mentorship, and adherence to program goals.
  • Advise program leadership on security posture, risk exposure, compliance requirements, and emerging threats, while supporting continuous improvement efforts within the program.
  • Drive consistency and standardization of security practices across programs while enabling mission-specific flexibility.
  • Conduct extensive investigations and respond to potential security incidents by understanding the root cause and provide mitigation actions to Senior Leadership.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Advanced degree and 10+ years of Security, Military or Defense experience, or government regulated environment; OR Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of relevant industry experience; OR Associate’s degree (or 2-year technical training) and 14+ years of relevant industry experience; OR High School diploma and 16+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience must include 5+ years working directly in Industrial Security field.
• Active US Government Security Clearance, SECRET level or higher.
• Ability to obtain TOP SECRET clearance with SAP/SCI access.
• Ability to meet enhanced security requirements to obtain and maintain access to Special Access Programs.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Advanced degree, preferably in a legal or security-related course of study.
• Direct Experience with Special Access Programs or compartmented secure programs.
• Strong working knowledge of basic office automation tool suites such as MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Multiple industry-recognized professional certifications in security, cybersecurity, risk management, and/or project management (i.e. CPP, Security +, CISSP, PMP, etc.).

What is my Role Type?

In addition to transforming the future of flight, we are also transforming how and where we work. We’ve introduced role types to help you understand how you will operate in our blended work environment. This role is:

• Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance workers, as they are essential to the development of our engines.

Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility.

Learn More & Apply Now!

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 157,200 USD - 298,800 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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