Director, Cybersecurity — AI & Robotics Security

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

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