Join a dynamic and well versed security team that provides support across several Business Areas within BAE Systems' Electronic Systems sector. The opportunity to be part of the security team, in one of the leading companies in Aerospace and Defense, offers a motivated professional a unique entry point to work across a broad range of activities supporting a diverse portfolio. BAE Systems is looking to hire a Senior Contractor Program Security Officer (CPSO) for multiple programs executed out of the Electronic Systems, New Hampshire campuses. The Senior CPSO will work closely with security management and assigned program staff on all aspects of special program security.
Tasks include, but are not limited to:
* Interpret and enforce government and company security policies and provide direction and guidance to program personnel.
* Interface with program managers and maintain liaison with US Government Program Security Officers.
* Provide prime/subcontractor security support and direction including the development and maintenance of DD254's and security guidance.
* Develop and revise program level security plans, procedures and instructions.
* Provide classification guidance to employees, develop and provide security education and awareness training, conduct security briefings, lead security self-inspections and audits, and investigate security incidents.
Support to other security disciplines within the SAP program to include: Personnel Security, Physical Security, Information Assurance (IA), Communications Security (COMSEC), Document Control and Visitor Control. Candidate must be able to respond to after hour alarms on a rotational schedule.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
* Bachelor's Degree and 5 years work experience or 9 years of experience in lieu of degree.
* Active Top Secret clearance.
* Interpret and enforce government and company security policies and provide direction and guidance to program personnel.
* Possess a high level of understanding and previous application of the ICD-705, to include, but not limited to; intrusion detection systems, access control devices, TEMPEST requirements, drawings/specifications, etc. for DoD and IC customers.
* Thorough knowledge and demonstrated application of the U.S. Government security standards.
* Familiar with a wide range of products and applications used to meet the requirements of the ICD 705 Technical Specifications.
* Interfaces with program managers and maintain liaison with US Government Program Security Officers.
* Provide prime/subcontractor security support and direction including the development and maintenance of DD254's and security guidance.
* Develop and revise program level security plans, procedures and instructions.
* Provide classification guidance to employees, develop and provide security education and awareness training, conduct security briefings, lead security self-inspections and audits, and investigate security incidents.
* Support to other security disciplines within the SAP program to include: Personnel Security, Physical Security, Information Assurance (IA), Communications Security (COMSEC), Document Control and Visitor Control. Candidate must be able to respond to after hour alarms on a rotational schedule.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
* Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the DoD SAP Manuals, ICDs and TEMPEST.
* Ability to apply the foregoing knowledge of government security requirements in a complex multi-level secure environment to ensure program compliance in non-routine situations.
* Ability to work independently to identify, assess & resolve unique security situations with innovative solutions geared to facilitate contract performance within the bounds of security requirements.
* Highly proficient written and verbal communication skills with emphasis on clear and cogent presentation of complex information.
* Demonstrate working knowledge of the DoD SAP Manuals & ICD series manuals.
* Ability to manage time, make sound decisions, take independent action, analyze problems, and provide focused solutions.
* Must have a professional demeanor, good people skills, ability to communicate effectively, and be able to perform in a multi-tasked, dynamic environment.
About BAE Systems Electronic Systems BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
At BAE Systems, we work hard every day to nurture an inclusive culture where employees are valued and feel like they belong. We are conscious of the need for all employees to see themselves reflected at every level of the company and know that in order to unlock the full potential of our workforce, everyone must feel confident being their best, most sincere self and be equipped to thrive. We provide impactful professional development experiences to our employees and invest in social impact partnerships to uplift communities and drive purposeful change. Here you will find significant opportunities to do meaningful work in an environment intentionally designed to be one where you will learn, grow and belong.
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How to hire a senior program officer
Senior program officer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring senior program officers in the United States:
- There are a total of 3,722 senior program officers in the US, and there are currently 117,953 job openings in this field.
- The median cost to hire a senior program officer is $1,633.
- Small businesses spend $1,105 per senior program officer on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
- It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
- It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
- HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
- Washington, DC, has the highest demand for senior program officers, with 52 job openings.
How to hire a senior program officer, step by step
To hire a senior program officer, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a senior program officer:
Here's a step-by-step senior program officer hiring guide:
- Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
- Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
- Step 3: Make a budget
- Step 4: Write a senior program officer job description
- Step 5: Post your job
- Step 6: Interview candidates
- Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior program officer
- Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
What does a senior program officer do?
Senior program officers are professionals who are responsible for supervising program development while working with grant recipients to ensure effective use of the organization's resources. These officers must coordinate with the grants administrator or office manager about initial screening and prioritizing of new proposals. They must represent the organization at conferences and community meetings to develop and maintain relationships with existing and prospective partners and stakeholders. Senior program officers must also provide training and coaching that supports the professional development of program associates.
Post a senior program officer job for free, promote it for a fee
Identify your hiring needs
First, determine the employments status of the senior program officer you need to hire. Certain senior program officer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.
Determine employee vs contractor statusIs the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a senior program officer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a senior program officer that fits the bill.
This list presents senior program officer salaries for various positions.
Type of Senior Program Officer Description Hourly rate Senior Program Officer Producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows, live theater, commercials, and other performing arts productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience. $32-70 Director Directors work in show business, whether in a film, a television show, or a theatre production. They are responsible for bringing the material to life... Show more $31-92 Sports Director Sports directors update the management about anything relating to sports. They participate in strategic planning and policy-making as needed by the management... Show more $15-53 Create an ideal candidate profile
Common skills:- Data Analysis
- Global Health
- HR
- Technical Assistance
- Data Collection
- SCI
- Program Design
- Government Agencies
- DOD
- Logistics
- Professional Development
- Financial Management
- Program Implementation
- USG
Responsibilities:- Lead the development and implementation of over 35 sub-agreements and budgets, with partner NGOs.
- Achieve superior customer results by improving and integrating proprietary chemistry tests.
- Manage direct support professionals serving adult populations for persons with mental health, developmental disabilities and children with autism.
- Assist study coordinators with IRB submissions.
- Insure compliance with Medicaid and BCFS paperwork standards.
- Introduce CMMI methodology as a means of strategically evolving the PMO.
Make a budget
Including a salary range in your senior program officer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A senior program officer can vary based on:
- Location. For example, senior program officers' average salary in wisconsin is 60% less than in california.
- Seniority. Entry-level senior program officers 53% less than senior-level senior program officers.
- Certifications. A senior program officer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
- Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a senior program officer's salary.
Average senior program officer salary
$100,469yearly
$48.30 hourly rateEntry-level senior program officer salary$68,000 yearly salaryUpdated December 16, 2025Average senior program officer salary by state
Rank State Avg. salary Hourly rate 1 California $169,560 $82 2 Washington $120,001 $58 3 Georgia $117,118 $56 4 New York $104,929 $50 5 New Jersey $101,085 $49 6 Colorado $99,796 $48 7 District of Columbia $95,789 $46 8 Massachusetts $88,956 $43 9 Maryland $88,388 $42 10 North Carolina $85,488 $41 11 Illinois $84,173 $40 12 Oregon $82,073 $39 13 Texas $79,374 $38 14 Virginia $72,992 $35 15 Arkansas $65,274 $31 Average senior program officer salary by company
Rank Company Average salary Hourly rate Job openings 1 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation $171,417 $82.41 8 2 Amazon $147,679 $71.00 271 3 Low Income Investment Fund $142,803 $68.66 7 4 BNP Paribas $138,606 $66.64 1 5 Bank of the West $138,097 $66.39 6 International Peace Institute $135,777 $65.28 7 Mercy Corps $127,893 $61.49 2 8 Open Society Foundations $125,534 $60.35 9 United States Institute of Peace $124,691 $59.95 10 Banyan $121,472 $58.40 11 Global Knowledge $118,355 $56.90 12 Abt Associates $116,063 $55.80 1 13 Winrock International $114,505 $55.05 14 New York University $110,627 $53.19 7 15 World Learning $106,014 $50.97 16 FHI 360 $105,937 $50.93 17 Wikimedia Foundation $105,610 $50.77 1 18 Jhpiego $105,139 $50.55 19 SpaceX $103,763 $49.89 10 20 International Rescue Committee $103,465 $49.74 Writing a senior program officer job description
A good senior program officer job description should include a few things:
- Summary of the role
- List of responsibilities
- Required skills and experience
Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a senior program officer job description:
Senior program officer job description example
Post your job
To find senior program officers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:
- Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
- Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any senior program officers they would recommend.
- Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level senior program officers with the right educational background.
- Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
- Post your senior program officer job on Zippia to find and recruit senior program officer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
- Use field-specific websites.
- Post a job on free websites.
Interview candidates
To successfully recruit senior program officers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.
Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.
The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.
Send a job offer and onboard your new senior program officer
Once you've found the senior program officer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.
It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.
To prepare for the new senior program officer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.
Go through the hiring process checklist
- Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
- Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
- Define job responsibilities and requirements
- Establish budget and timeline
- Determine hiring decision makers for the role
- Write job description
- Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
- Promote the job internally
- Process applications through applicant tracking system
- Review resumes and cover letters
- Shortlist candidates for screening
- Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
- Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
- Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
- Conduct background checks on top candidates
- Check references of top candidates
- Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
- Extend offer to top candidate(s)
- Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
- Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
- Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
- Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a senior program officer?
Recruiting senior program officers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.
You can expect to pay around $100,469 per year for a senior program officer, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for senior program officers in the US typically range between $32 and $70 an hour.
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Updated December 16, 2025