COMSEC Manager

Castelion Corporation; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Job summary

Castelion is a fast-moving startup developing advanced defense technology. We seek a highly experienced COMSEC Manager to lead and scale our Communications Security program, providing hands-on leadership and expert guidance in a rapidly growing environment.

The role requires independent decision making, deep COMSEC expertise, and the ability to build scalable, compliant processes while advising executive leadership and cross‑functional teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in COMSEC, classified communications, information assurance, or a closely related security discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company-wide COMSEC program and serve as the senior subject matter expert for COMSEC matters.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve COMSEC policies, procedures, controls, and operating standards.
• Manage one or more COMSEC accounts, including cryptographic material, equipment, facilities, records, inventories, and personnel access.
• Ensure compliant receipt, issuance, transfer, storage, use, accountability, return, and destruction of COMSEC material.
• Serve as the primary liaison with government COMSEC authorities, NSA, DoD organizations, customers, security representatives, and auditors.
• Advise executive leadership, program managers, engineers, and operations teams on COMSEC requirements and risk.
• Lead preparations for government inspections, customer assessments, internal audits, and compliance reviews.
• Direct COMSEC incident reporting, investigation, containment, corrective action, and lessons-learned activities.
• Establish training, appointment, authorization, and recurring certification programs for COMSEC personnel and users.
• Oversee the secure deployment, operation, maintenance, and lifecycle management of COMSEC equipment.
• Develop scalable processes and systems that support rapid organizational growth without sacrificing security or compliance.
• Identify program risks, resolve complex issues, and drive continuous improvement across security operations.
• Mentor and develop COMSEC custodians, security personnel, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Support broader classified security, facility security, cybersecurity, and customer assurance activities as needed.

Skills

COMSEC management

Security governance

Risk assessment

Brief senior leadership

Incident response

Compliance

Startup environment

Tools

Electronic key management systems

Cryptographic equipment

Secure voice/data systems

Classified networks

Job description

Why Castelion, Why Now

Castelion is moving incredibly fast to develop and deliver advanced defense systems at a time when execution matters more than ever. We believe focus, ownership, and excellence are decisive advantages - and we’re building a world‑class team to turn bold ideas into real capability.

This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage, where you’ll have significant ownership, collaborate with exceptional teammates, and make a direct, measurable impact on our mission and the future of the company - regardless of your function.

COMSEC Manager

Castelion is a fast‑paced startup developing innovative technology for high‑consequence missions. We operate with urgency, ownership, and a commitment to exceptional security standards. We are seeking a highly experienced COMSEC Manager to lead and scale our Communications Security program. This is a hands‑on leadership role for an established COMSEC professional who can build compliant infrastructure, advise executive and technical leadership, and support the company’s rapid growth.

Position Summary

The COMSEC Manager will have overall responsibility for the company’s COMSEC program, including governance, account management, personnel authorization, cryptographic material accountability, secure communications operations, compliance, inspections, and incident response. The successful candidate will bring substantial experience managing complex COMSEC programs in defense, aerospace, intelligence, or other highly regulated environments. This individual must be comfortable operating independently, making high‑consequence decisions, and creating scalable processes in an evolving startup environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the company‑wide COMSEC program and serve as the senior subject matter expert for COMSEC matters.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve COMSEC policies, procedures, controls, and operating standards.
• Manage one or more COMSEC accounts, including cryptographic material, equipment, facilities, records, inventories, and personnel access.
• Ensure compliant receipt, issuance, transfer, storage, use, accountability, return, and destruction of COMSEC material.
• Serve as the primary liaison with government COMSEC authorities, NSA, DoD organizations, customers, security representatives, and auditors.
• Advise executive leadership, program managers, engineers, and operations teams on COMSEC requirements and risk.
• Lead preparations for government inspections, customer assessments, internal audits, and compliance reviews.
• Direct COMSEC incident reporting, investigation, containment, corrective action, and lessons‑learned activities.
• Establish training, appointment, authorization, and recurring certification programs for COMSEC personnel and users.
• Oversee the secure deployment, operation, maintenance, and lifecycle management of COMSEC equipment.
• Develop scalable processes and systems that support rapid organizational growth without sacrificing security or compliance.
• Identify program risks, resolve complex issues, and drive continuous improvement across security operations.
• Mentor and develop COMSEC custodians, security personnel, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Support broader classified security, facility security, cybersecurity, and customer assurance activities as needed.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in COMSEC, classified communications, information assurance, or a closely related security discipline.
• Extensive experience serving as a COMSEC Manager, COMSEC Custodian, Alternate COMSEC Custodian, or equivalent program lead.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex COMSEC programs, accounts, facilities, equipment, and cryptographic key material.
• Deep knowledge of applicable NSA, DoD, NISPOM, government, and customer‑specific COMSEC requirements.
• Proven experience leading inspections, audits, investigations, risk assessments, and corrective‑action programs.
• Experience developing and implementing COMSEC policies and procedures in a growing or changing organization.
• Demonstrated ability to brief senior leadership and communicate complex security requirements clearly.
• Strong judgment, discretion, attention to detail, and ability to make independent decisions.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced startup environment with shifting priorities.
• Active Top Secret/SCI/SAP clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain the required clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading COMSEC programs across multiple sites, programs, or customer environments.
• Experience supporting defense, aerospace, intelligence, national security, or other mission‑critical organizations.
• Prior military experience in COMSEC, signals, communications, cybersecurity, or information assurance.
• Experience with electronic key management systems, cryptographic equipment, secure voice/data systems, and classified networks.
• Experience building security programs and infrastructure at a startup or high‑growth company.
• Current COMSEC Manager or equivalent advanced training and certification.
• Professional security certification such as CISSP, CISM, Security+, or equivalent.

What We Value

• Ownership: You take responsibility and follow issues through to resolution.
• Speed with discipline: You move quickly while maintaining strong security controls.
• Practical judgment: You know how to apply requirements in real operating environments.
• Clear communication: You make complex security requirements understandable and actionable.
• Continuous improvement: You build systems that scale rather than relying on manual workarounds.

Castelion offers a generous benefits package. Please refer to the bottom of our Careers page for more details.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

This position may require access to classified information or restricted U.S. Government sites, systems, or information, as determined by the Company and/or applicable U.S. Government requirements. If the position is so designated, your employment in the role may be contingent upon your ability to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance or other government authorization, and to satisfy any citizenship or other eligibility requirements imposed by applicable law, regulation, executive order, or government contract requirements. You will be notified if and when such requirements apply.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Castelion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Castelion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in the interview process, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis and handled in accordance with applicable law.

Castelion is committed to fostering a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, business needs, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

EAR/ITAR Requirements

This position requires access to export‑controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export‑controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.