In the process of getting a clearance right now and was wondering how/when I could renegotiate terms of the cleared job. I have almost 4 years of experience in cloud engineering, and 1-2 years in infosec. Half a year ago, I was offered a security job that would require a TS/SCI clearance and the company said they’d sponsor it. I signed a preliminary “job offer”-- not really an offer but a statement of intent so they could start the clearance process.
I got a different job doing cloud engineering in the meantime. My uncleared job pays a good bit more than was offered for the TS/SCI job, and is in cloud engineering. I already had more experience working in cloud and I think I’d prefer to continue working in it. In half a year to a year, I should have a TS/SCI clearance and 4-5 years of experience in cloud engineering. It makes no sense to take a pay cut to start an entry level job in a different field.
How can I do the right thing by the company sponsoring my clearance while looking out for myself? Can I apply for other jobs with them doing something cloud related? If I try to change anything, could the clearance process by stopped? Is it inappropriate to apply for jobs with other companies in addition to the one sponsoring the clearance?