COMSEC Manager (CRO) (TS/SCI)

K2 Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited paid time off

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Life insurance

Job summary

A pioneering satellite manufacturing company in Los Angeles is looking for a motivated COMSEC Manager to lead their security program and ensure compliance with DOD and Intelligence Community standards. This role is vital in managing classified information, overseeing COMSEC operations, and working closely with cybersecurity teams. Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree, a Top Secret clearance, and relevant experience in COMSEC. The position offers a competitive salary range and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance, consent to CI Poly.
• 2+ years relevant/direct experience.
• Experience with COMSEC tools and software.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the COMSEC program ensuring compliance.
• Own COMSEC account management and encryption device maintenance.
• Provide expert advice on COMSEC issues to stakeholders.

Skills

COMSEC accountability

Communication skills

Leadership

Technical knowledge in COMSEC tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

KMI (Key Management Infrastructure)

Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest‑power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers – we’re mass‑producing the highest‑power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy‑lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today’s and tomorrow’s massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we’re Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and you’re excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply.

The Role

K2 Space is seeking a COMSEC Manager to support our comprehensive security program and ensure compliance with DOD and Intelligence Community security requirements.

This is a high‑impact role for a self‑motivated individual who can collaborate with government security stakeholders, safeguard classified information across multiple sensitivity levels, and drive a culture of security awareness at K2. The position provides day‑to‑day support for Collateral, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), and Special Access Program (SAP) activities.

The COMSEC Manager must be well‑versed in COMSEC requirements and procedures, including the acquisition, maintenance, operations, and disposition of COMSEC equipment. As our COMSEC Manager, you would serve as the Network Designer Lead, supporting the networks and local area networks (LANs) of DOD and Intelligence Community customers across multiple security domains, with a focus on COMSEC account management and cryptologic duties, including the operation and maintenance of encryption devices. You would also be responsible for overseeing the communications security program and ensuring the protection of sensitive information transmitted across network‑connected and point‑to‑point communications systems.

As we scale, you will ensure our security infrastructure grows to meet evolving classified program requirements, working closely with the IT Security and Compliance Lead and executive leadership to develop and expand our secure capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the organization’s COMSEC program, ensuring compliance with national security policies, standards, and regulations (e.g., NIST, FIPS, DOD directives).
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and safety standards.
• Own COMSEC account management, custodian duties, and encryption device configuration and maintenance.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure integration of COMSEC measures into broader IT and security strategies.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on COMSEC issues to leadership, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain a current inventory of all Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI) material.
• Coordinate system maintenance, monitoring, and installation of COMSEC equipment across multiple WAN/LAN environments.
• Develop and maintain a roadmap for capabilities, operations, and technologies, including guidance on forecasting cryptographic equipment needs.
• Assist with the development and execution of test plans and supporting documentation for all communications security configuration upgrades, additions, or revisions, obtaining customer approval prior to implementation.
• Evaluate and recommend technology upgrades and changes to address performance, standardization, and industry best practices.
• Perform audits and assessments of COMSEC operations to ensure program effectiveness and efficiency.
• Maintain current knowledge of emerging threats and new technologies within the COMSEC domain.
• Conduct inventories and inspections of secure equipment (e.g., secure telephone and encryption devices) and classified keying material, and provide related COMSEC support and oversight.
• Administer a Top Secret inventory and document control program to account for COMSEC equipment and materials.
• Install secure telephone equipment (STE) and coordinate delivery of encryption devices and keying material to IT specialists maintaining classified networks.
• Conduct inventories in accordance with agency policy and report any discrepancies to the government customer.
• Enforce compliance with NSA Central Security Service Policy Manual No. 3‑16, related COMSEC derivatives, and DOD and IC COMSEC standards.
• Ensure Automated Information Systems Security requirements related to COMSEC duties are met.
• Train personnel in COMSEC procedures and the use of related equipment.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and quality assurance for team members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance, consent to CI Poly.
• 2+ years relevant/direct experience.
• Strong understanding of COMSEC accountability, as well as knowledge of the procedures required for the issue and receipt of COMSEC equipment and materials, including inventory and mailing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to brief executives, employees, and government stakeholders on security requirements.
• Experience with COMSEC tools and software such as KMI (Key Management Infrastructure), COMSEC equipment management platforms, or similar systems.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Nice to Have

• Experience establishing a COMSEC program from the ground up in a commercial or government contractor environment.
• Hands‑on experience planning, building, accrediting, and maintaining COMSEC architecture for spacecraft.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP or COMSEC Manager (e.g., CNSS 4011).

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $120,000 – $180,000 + equity in the company.
• Salary will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level.
• Comprehensive benefits package including unlimited paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks.

If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non‑traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.”

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.