Director Cybersecurity

Knightscope; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, dental, vision

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Knightscope is seeking a Director Cybersecurity to lead the cybersecurity program, protecting autonomous robotics, cloud infrastructure, and AI systems for enterprise and government customers. You will report to the Chairman and CEO and shape a scalable, forward-looking security program for on-site Sunnyvale operations.

The role focuses on governance, risk, compliance, and secure-by-design principles across robotics and AI platforms, with a mandate to evolve security operations with AI and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of cybersecurity experience, with 5+ years in senior leadership roles.
• Proven track record building and scaling cybersecurity programs in technology-driven organizations.
• Experience integrating or overseeing AI/ML applications in cybersecurity (threat detection, automation, anomaly detection).
• Deep expertise in security frameworks (NIST, FEDRAMP) and risk management practices.
• Strong understanding of cloud security, network architecture, and Zero Trust models.
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering and product teams.
• Exceptional executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Must be hands on
• MUST HAVE recent Palantir FedStart experience

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the company-wide cybersecurity vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap.
• Align cybersecurity initiatives with business objectives, product development, and go-to-market strategy.
• Lead the evolution toward AI-driven security operations and intelligent automation.
• Establish and maintain enterprise security governance frameworks (NIST, FEDRAMP, etc.).
• Oversee risk management programs, including enterprise risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with government and public sector security requirements (e.g., FedRAMP, CJIS, or similar).
• Own third-party/vendor risk management strategy.
• Define security standards for autonomous robotics, embedded systems, and IoT devices.
• Partner with engineering to embed secure-by-design principles into robotics and AI platforms.
• Oversee security architecture for cloud-connected devices and field deployments.
• Ensure robust incident response, business continuity, and disaster recovery programs.
• Provide executive oversight during major security incidents.
• Establish metrics and reporting for risk posture, incident trends, and response effectiveness.
• Build and lead a high-performing cybersecurity team (more analysts over time).
• Act as the primary security advisor to executive leadership and board-level stakeholders.
• Partner with Legal, IT, Engineering, and Operations to drive security across the organization.
• Represent Knightscope in customer, partner, and government security discussions.

Skills

Cybersecurity leadership

Strategy & governance

Cloud security

Risk management

AI/ML in cybersecurity

Zero Trust

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Hands-on security

Palantir FedStart

Tools

Palantir FedStart

Job description

AboutKnightscope

Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP) is a security technology company building the nation's first Autonomous Security Force — autonomous machines, AI-driven software, and elite security professionals operating as one integrated managed service. The Company is on a mission to make the United States of America the safest country in the world. One Team. One Force.

Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP) is a security technology company building the nation's first Autonomous Security Force — autonomous machines, AI-driven software, and elite security professionals operating as one integrated managed service. The Company is on a mission to make the United States of America the safest country in the world. One Team. One Force.

Location: Onsite / Sunnyvale, CA HQ (this is not a remote role)

About The Role

Knightscope is seeking a Director Cybersecurity to lead the strategic direction, governance, and long-term maturity of our cybersecurity program. This role is responsible for ensuring the security of our autonomous robotics platforms, cloud infrastructure, AI systems, and enterprise environments while aligning with the expectations of enterprise and government customers. This is a direct report to the Chairman and CEO.

This is a high-impact leadership role focused on building a scalable, forward-looking cybersecurity program that protects not just IT systems, but connected physical assets operating in real-world environments.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Define and execute the company-wide cybersecurity vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap.
• Align cybersecurity initiatives with business objectives, product development, and go-to-market strategy.
• Lead the evolution toward AI-driven security operations and intelligent automation.

Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)

• Establish and maintain enterprise security governance frameworks (NIST, FEDRAMP, etc.).
• Oversee risk management programs, including enterprise risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with government and public sector security requirements (e.g., FedRAMP, CJIS, or similar).
• Own third-party/vendor risk management strategy.

Product & Robotics Security

• Define security standards for autonomous robotics, embedded systems, and IoT devices.
• Partner with engineering to embed secure-by-design principles into robotics and AI platforms.
• Oversee security architecture for cloud-connected devices and field deployments.

Incident Preparedness & Oversight

• Ensure robust incident response, business continuity, and disaster recovery programs.
• Provide executive oversight during major security incidents.
• Establish metrics and reporting for risk posture, incident trends, and response effectiveness.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Influence

• Build and lead a high-performing cybersecurity team (more analysts over time).
• Act as the primary security advisor to executive leadership and board-level stakeholders.
• Partner with Legal, IT, Engineering, and Operations to drive security across the organization.
• Represent Knightscope in customer, partner, and government security discussions.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of cybersecurity experience, with 5+ years in senior leadership roles.
• Proven track record building and scaling cybersecurity programs in technology-driven organizations.
• Experience integrating or overseeing AI/ML applications in cybersecurity (threat detection, automation, anomaly detection).
• Deep expertise in security frameworks (NIST, FEDRAMP) and risk management practices.
• Strong understanding of cloud security, network architecture, and Zero Trust models.
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering and product teams.
• Exceptional executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Must be hands on
• MUST HAVE recent Palantir FedStart experience

Preferred (Pluses)

• Experience in robotics, autonomous systems, or IoT security.
• Background working with government agencies, public safety, or defense environments.
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks relevant to government deployments (FedRAMP, CJIS, DoD standards).
• Experience securing AI-driven platforms and edge computing environments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $200,000 – $260,000 DOE
• Equity: Stock options
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off
• Location Requirement: Full-time, on-site at Sunnyvale HQ