Argonne National Laboratory

Security Engineer

Argonne National Laboratory • $86K — $134K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field with 4+ years of experience in physical security systems.
  • Proficiency in programming languages including Python, SQL, C, and Java.
  • Experience with Lenel OnGuard configuration and DSX migration.
  • Skilled in SQL reporting, ETL/ELT pipelines, and KPI dashboards.
  • Background in applying AI and automation to improve physical security solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Analyze DSX data for consolidating legacy PACS into Lenel OnGuard.
  • Map DSX objects to Lenel equivalents for accurate migrations.
  • Standardize naming conventions and identifiers for PACS.
  • Prepare and validate structured datasets for Lenel imports with SQL queries.
  • Develop audit-ready datasets and automated data-quality checks for access control.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits package.
  • Flexible working hours and remote work options.
  • Professional development opportunities and training programs.
  • Career advancement within a reputable organization.
  • Collaborative and diverse work environment.
Full Job Description
Argonne Security is seeking a Physical security focused Data & Systems Engineer specializing in access-control modernization, Lenel/DSX analytics, PACS configuration, and enterprise security data standardization. Skilled in C/Java, Python, SQL, Power BI, and ETL pipelines, with a proven ability to automate processes, integrate multi-source PACS data, and build dashboards that surface modernization progress, risk posture, and asset readiness.

  • 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.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE "Q" clearance.


Core Responsibilities

Access Control Modernization (DSX 12 Lenel OnGuard)
  • Analyze DSX door, reader, panel, and hardware data to support consolidation of legacy PACS systems into Lenel OnGuard.
  • Map DSX objects to Lenel equivalents, ensuring accurate hardware relationships, access-control logic, and migration-ready datasets.
  • Standardize naming conventions, door identifiers, and hardware mappings to enable clean PACS migration.
  • Prepare structured Lenel import datasets (doors, readers, access levels, badges, timezones, panel mappings).
  • Validate DSX 12 Lenel mappings using SQL queries, DSX exports, and physical-security field documentation.
  • Modernize physical-security processes, data flows, and system configurations to strengthen overall security posture.

Lenel OnGuard Configuration & SQL Development
  • Work directly with Lenel SQL tables (AccessLevels, Readers, Hardware, Panels, Timezones, Badge, Personnel) to build audit-ready PACS datasets.
  • Configure Lenel hardware objects: readers, controllers, doors/locks, I/O relationships, panel communication paths, and timezones.
  • Develop Lenel workflows for badge provisioning, access-level assignments, and automated data-quality checks.
  • Build SQL queries and stored procedures to identify misconfigured access levels, missing readers, offline hardware, badge anomalies, and DSX/Lenel mismatches.
  • Collaborate with Physical Security and vendors to validate configuration changes and ensure DOE compliance.

Security Analytics, Reporting & Dashboards
  • Build Power BI dashboards showing modernization progress, hardware readiness, and DSX 12 Lenel migration status.
  • Develop SQL-driven reporting pipelines integrating DSX exports, Lenel SQL Server data, and supplemental Excel/S3 sources.
  • Produce audit-ready reports for Physical Security and Facilities across large, distributed campuses.
  • Implement automated data-quality checks for duplicate door IDs, missing hardware relationships, incorrect badge/access mappings, and PACS cleanup tasks.

Secure Software Engineering & ETL
  • Develop backend/frontend components supporting physical-security analytics, geospatial asset mapping, and AI-driven exploration.
  • Build Python/SQL ETL pipelines maintaining up-to-date inventories of doors, readers, panels, and access levels across DSX and Lenel environments.
  • Create performance-critical ingestion modules for reliable processing of complex JSON and nested security data.


Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

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.

Position Requirements
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science degree with background in physical-security systems plus 4+ years of experience, or equivalent.
  • Specialties:
    • Experienced in applying AI and automation to Physical Security solutions
    • Lenel OnGuard configuration, DSX 12 Lenel migration,
    • SQL reporting
    • ETL/ELT pipelines
    • KPI dashboards
    • PACS data governance
  • Languages: Python, SQL, Java, C, JavaScript, HTML, R
  • Tools: Power BI, AWS S3, Git, SSMS, Docker, PostgreSQL, Tableau


Preferred Requirements:
  • Experience with physical security DOE orders and compliance requirements.


Job Family
Professional Technical (PT)

Job Profile
Facilities Engineering 3

Worker Type
Regular

Time Type
Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $86,299.00 - $134,626.05.

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!

About Argonne National Laboratory

Argonne National Laboratory is a science and engineering research national laboratory operated by the University of Chicago Argonne LLC for the United States Department of Energy. It is located in Lemont, Illinois, outside of Chicago. Argonne conducts research in a variety of fields, including energy, environment, national security, and technology. The laboratory was founded in 1946 as part of the Manhattan Project and has since become one of the largest science and engineering research laboratories in the United States.
Learn more about Argonne National Laboratory
Size
3,400 employees
Industry
Founded
1946

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