Cybersecurity Engineer (Secret clearance)

Vantor; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Mental health resources

Student loan repayment assistance

Adoption reimbursement

Pet insurance

Job summary

Vantor is seeking a Cybersecurity Engineer to secure space-sensing systems in support of the U.S. Air Force. You’ll test, analyze, verify, and mitigate vulnerabilities across the system lifecycle, collaborating with engineers, operators, and mission stakeholders to deliver resilient security solutions.

U.S. citizenship and a Secret clearance are required, with on-site work 2–3 days per week. A DoD 8140 Level II certification and a Bachelor’s degree are preferred qualifications for this role.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in cybersecurity engineering supporting defense programs (space, ground and hardware).
• Experience providing input to Risk Management Framework process activities and documentation.
• Experience planning and executing MBCRA and MBRA-C assessments.
• Experience developing threat scenarios for cyber test events such as Cyber Table Top (CTT).
• Knowledge of cybersecurity, privacy principles, networks, and security methodologies.
• Knowledge of network design including security objectives and trade-offs.
• Ability to perform technical analyses of cybersecurity architectures and network diagrams.
• Active Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• DoD 8140 Level II Certification (Security+).

Responsibilities

• Test, analyze, evaluate, verify, and validate system performance; identify vulnerabilities and mitigate early in the lifecycle.
• Collaborate with engineers, operators, and mission stakeholders to integrate cybersecurity across the system life cycle.

Skills

Cybersecurity engineering

Threat modeling

Secure coding

Education

Bachelor’s degree

DoD 8140 Level II Certification (Security+)

Tools

Security+ Certification

CISSP / ISSEP / ISSAP

Job description

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.

To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Citizen. This position requires an active U.S. Government security clearance, applicants who do not currently hold the required clearance will not be eligible for consideration. Employment for cleared roles is contingent upon verification of clearance status.

Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

At Vantor, we transform data from space into mission advantage. Working alongside the U.S. Space Force and mission partners, you’ll help develop and rapidly deploy the next generation of resilient space-sensing capabilities that deliver critical information to warfighters and strengthen national security.

As a Cybersecurity Engineer, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring these systems are secure, resilient, and ready for the mission. You’ll test, analyze, evaluate, verify, and validate system performance while identifying vulnerabilities and areas requiring urgent mitigation early in the development lifecycle. Using advanced technologies and innovative engineering methodologies, you’ll help solve complex cybersecurity challenges and build solutions designed to withstand evolving threats.

You’ll work across disciplines, partnering with engineers, operators, and mission stakeholders to integrate cybersecurity throughout the system life cycle. Your ability to think critically, collaborate effectively, and translate emerging threats into practical solutions will help protect the space-sensing capabilities our warfighters depend on.

This role is ideal for a curious, mission-driven engineer who thrives on solving difficult problems and wants to make a tangible impact on national security. Join Vantor and help secure the future of space sensing for the U.S. Air Force.

Due to the nature of work performed within this facility, U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience as a cybersecurity engineer supporting Major Defense Acquisition Programs, including space, ground, and hardware systems
• Experience providing input to Risk Management Framework process activities and documentation
• Experience planning and executing Mission Based Cyber Risk Assessments (MBCRA) and Mission Based Risk Assessments – Cyber (MBRA-C)
• Experience developing threat scenarios that can be used to support cyber test events such as Cyber Table Top (CTT)
• Knowledge of cybersecurity, privacy principles, computer networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies
• Knowledge of network design processes, including security objectives, operational objectives, and trade-offs
• Ability to perform technical analyses of cybersecurity architectures and network diagrams
• Secret clearance
• Bachelor’s degree
• DoD 8140 Level II Certification such as Security+ Certification

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with space-based remote sensing systems
• Experience developing system security context and a preliminary system security Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and defining baseline system security requirements in accordance with applicable cybersecurity requirements
• TS/SCI clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, IT, Information Assurance, Information Security, or a related field preferred; Master’s degree in Engineering, IT, Information Assurance, or Information Security a plus
• DoD 8140 Level III Certification such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), ISSEP, or ISSAP Certification

Clearance: Secret

The position will require at least 2-3x per week on site. Meetings/schedules may require more days on site.

Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and will need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Pay Transparency

To support pay transparency, Vantor includes salary ranges in all U.S. job postings. Starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The listed range reflects the expected pay for this position, and final offers will be determined based on each candidate’s experience, expertise, and alignment with the role.

• The base pay for this position within California is: $121,000.00 - $161,000.00 - $177,100.00 annually.

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

Benefits

Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life. You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.Vantor.com/careers

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.

The date of posting can be found on Vantor's Career page at the top of each job posting.

EEO Policy

Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We believe in fostering an environment where all team members feel respected, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.