Applying for jobs without active clearance?
Hi everyone. My partner is starting a job in Huntsville soon, and we will be moving before the end of the year. I currently work for an FFRDC that focuses in Space work in Texas. We do not require/I do not have a security clearance at present but do have ~5 years of experience in the field. However, almost all the jobs I see that I'd relatively qualify for require a secret or top secret clearance BEFORE you get hired.... Is this normal? Should I apply anyway without a clearance? What is the protocol for something like this? I'm eligible (U.S. citizen) but just don't have one.
For reference, I'm a Computer Engineer with a focus in Systems Engineering (Integration/Test, not CS Systems) and FPGA development as well as experience in board design.