Manager, Protective Operations Test & Launch

Relativity Space; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 106,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking a Protective Operations Lead to oversee physical security across Test & Launch locations, including staff, post coverage, emergency procedures, and access control. The role requires coordinating with facilities, EH&S, IT, and government or military partners, with 40% travel to Stennis, MS.

Successful candidates will implement site security plans, manage incidents, and strengthen security posture while complying with ITAR and export-control obligations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in physical security or related field, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience leading security teams, supervisors, vendors, or multi-site operations in a fast-paced, high-risk, or regulated environment.
• Strong working knowledge of physical security systems, incident management, emergency response, investigations, security assessments, and facility protection.
• Working knowledge of ITAR, CUI, export-control requirements, or other security and regulatory compliance obligations.
• Ability to operate independently, exercise sound judgment under pressure, travel regularly between U.S. facilities, and support critical operations outside normal business hours when needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead physical security operations across assigned Test & Launch locations, including launch, propulsion test, office, storage, and supporting facilities.
• Manage internal and contracted security personnel, ensuring staffing, post coverage, operational readiness, training, and performance.
• Develop and maintain site-specific security plans, post orders, emergency procedures, escalation protocols, and risk-mitigation strategies aligned with enterprise standards.
• Partner with Test & Launch leadership, Facilities, EH&S, Legal, Export Compliance, IT, and government/military installation partners to support safe operations.
• Oversee incident response, investigations, access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, visitor management, emergency coordination, and other physical security systems.
• Identify vulnerabilities, emerging risks, and operational gaps, and independently develop practical solutions and corrective actions.

Skills

Leadership experience

Security operations

Incident management

ITAR/export controls

Job description

About the Team:

The Protective Operations team is responsible for safeguarding our people, facilities, critical assets, and operations across manufacturing, test, launch, and corporate environments. From physical site security & access control to supporting rocket transportation, launch activities, and high‑profile events, the team plays a mission‑critical role across the company. We partner directly with leadership and cross‑functional teams to manage risk, respond to complex operational needs, and adapt to an ever‑evolving aerospace environment. Our work has company‑wide impact, and no two days are quite the same.

About the Role: This role requires 40% travel to Stennis, MS.

• Lead physical security operations across assigned Test & Launch locations, including launch, propulsion test, office, storage, and supporting facilities.
• Manage internal and contracted security personnel, ensuring appropriate staffing, post coverage, operational readiness, training, and performance.
• Develop and maintain site‑specific security plans, post orders, emergency procedures, escalation protocols, and risk‑mitigation strategies aligned with enterprise standards.
• Partner closely with Test & Launch leadership, Facilities, EH&S, Legal, Export Compliance, IT, and government or military installation partners to support safe and secure operations.
• Oversee incident response, investigations, access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, visitor management, emergency coordination, and other physical security systems and programs.
• Identify vulnerabilities, emerging risks, and operational gaps, and independently develop practical solutions and corrective actions to strengthen the security posture.

About You:

• 5+ years of experience in physical security, law enforcement, military security, emergency management, or a related operational field, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience leading security teams, supervisors, vendors, or multi‑site operations in a fast‑paced, high‑risk, or regulated environment.
• Strong working knowledge of physical security systems, incident management, emergency response, investigations, security assessments, and facility protection.
• Experience developing security procedures, post orders, training programs, operational standards, and corrective‑action plans.
• Working knowledge of ITAR, CUI, export‑control requirements, or other security and regulatory compliance obligations.
• Ability to operate independently, exercise sound judgment under pressure, travel regularly between assigned U.S. facilities, and support critical operations outside normal business hours when needed.

Nice to haves but not required:

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, launch, propulsion testing, advanced manufacturing, or other mission‑critical operations.
• Experience operating within NASA, U.S. Space Force, Department of Defense, or other government‑controlled installations.
• Experience coordinating with military security forces, law enforcement, fire departments, emergency services, or government agencies.
• Active or previously held U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Successful candidates must clear a background check administered by the US government to obtain clearance for on‑site work at our government partner location in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job‑related factors.
Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.

Hiring Range:

$106,000 – $158,000 USD

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail].

Please note: Relativity Space does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or referrals from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited submission - via email, our website, social media, or directly to an employee - will be deemed the property of Relativity Space, and no fee will be owed absent a current, fully executed agreement with Talent Acquisition that specifically authorizes submissions for the applicable role.