Security Operations Manager

Stoke Space; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in stock options

Company-paid life and disability保险

401(k) with employer match

Holidays 10 days

On-site gym or wellness stipend

Dog-friendly offices

Job summary

Stoke Space is seeking a Security Operations Manager to lead all physical security at our Kent, WA facilities and provide support for the Moses Lake test site.

You will design site security strategies, oversee technology systems, manage contractors, and coordinate with federal, state, and local partners to protect personnel and assets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in physical security, law enforcement, military security, or related field.
• 3+ years leading security personnel or programs.
• Experience establishing physical security programs and security infrastructure.
• Experience with contract guard operations and enterprise systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead all physical security operations for Stoke’s Kent facilities and support Moses Lake test facility.
• Develop and implement site-specific security strategies aligned with policies.
• Create multi-year security plans addressing operations, expansion, and government programs.
• Oversee access control, CCTV, intrusion systems, and perimeter security.
• Lead investigations and coordinate with government and emergency agencies.
• Manage contracted security providers and guard force personnel.
• Deliver security awareness training for staff and stakeholders.

Skills

Physical security

Leadership

Security programs

Incident management

Access control

Video surveillance

Security clearance knowledge

Licenses & driving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Access control systems

Video surveillance systems

Job description

At Stoke, we believe a thriving space economy will enable a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable future here on Earth. That is why we’re building Nova, our fully and rapidly reusable launch vehicle. Designed for daily flight, Nova tackles the core challenges of space transportation by reducing cost, increasing availability, and improving reliability. By radically lowering launch costs and increasing flight cadence, we’re helping create a truly scalable space industry.

Our team is mission-driven, collaborative, and empowered to take ownership of their work. If you want to work alongside some of the most dedicated and talented people on Earth, we’d love to have you join us.

Description

As Security Operations Manager, you will be responsible for all aspects of physical security, access control, security operations, emergency response coordination, and security infrastructure for Stoke’s Washington facilities. This position serves as the security leader for Stoke’s design, manufacturing, and test operations and ensures the protection of personnel, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, critical infrastructure, and company assets.

You will develop and execute site security strategies, manage contracted security personnel, oversee security technology systems, lead investigations, and serve as a liaison with federal, military, state, and local security stakeholders.

You will work closely with site leadership, facilities, operations, IT, environmental health and safety, and government partners. As Stoke’s programs mature, this role may expand its focus to ward industrial security, facility clearance requirements, and broader Assistant Facility Security Officer (AFSO) responsibilities.

We're looking for someone who brings professionalism, sound judgment, a hands‑on approach, and genuine commitment to safe operations. The pace here is fast and the stakes are high. You'll need to be calm under pressure, trustworthy, and lead by example from day one. The right candidate will be comfortable developing long-term security strategies while executing the hands‑on, detailed work required to build a security program from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Lead all physical security operations for Stoke’s Kent facilities, while providing direct support to our Moses Lake test facility
• Develop and implement site‑specific security strategies aligned with corporate security policies
• Develop multi‑year physical security plans that address current operations, future facility expansion, government programs, and evolving threats
• Maintain security plans, post orders, procedures, and operating instructions
• Conduct periodic security risk assessments and vulnerability reviews
• Oversee day‑to‑day security operations and site access control
• Be the primary point of contact for security incidents and coordinate response activities
• Manage contracted security service providers and guard force personnel
• Coordinate and manage test exclusion areas that extend into public spaces
• Support security requirements associated with classified contracts, cleared programs, secure facilities, and government customer activites
• Oversee operation and maintenance of access control systems, CCTV and video management systems, intrusion detection systems, and perimeter security systems.
• Serve as the primary security liaison with government organizations, law enforcement agencies, port authorities, and emergency management organizations
• Coordinate site access requirements, special events, test operations, and security‑related government activities
• Lead investigations involving security violations, theft, property damage, unauthorized access, workplace violence concerns, suspicious activity
• Support site emergency preparedness and response planning
• Develop and deliver security awareness training

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience in physical security, law enforcement, military security, industrial security, or related field
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing security personnel or security programs
• Demonstrated experience establishing physical security programs, including security strategy, policies, staffing models, and security infrastructure
• Experience managing contract guard force operations
• Experience with enterprise access control and video surveillance systems
• Strong incident management and investigation skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances if necessary
• Valid state security officer license, or eligibility to obtain one
• Valid driver's license
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Ability to routinely walk, patrol, and inspect large industrial, manufacturing, and test facilities, including climbing stairs, ladders, and elevated platforms
• Ability to work in outdoor and industrial environments, including construction zones in varying weather conditions, and while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Ability to respond to security incidents and emergencies anywhere on site, including working extended hours, nights, weekends, and test operations as required
• Ability to hold and maintain a Federal DBIDS including ability to pass USSF background
• Ability to hold and maintain a TWIC card
• Willing to relocate to Kent, WA

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace, defense, launch operations, manufacturing, critical infrastructure, or maritime experience
• Experience working within the National Industrial Security Program or other federal security environment
• Experience interfacing with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
• Familiarity with facility clearance and industrial security requirements, including the NISPOM
• Experience operating within federal or military environments
• Experience supporting government customers and regulatory agencies
• Security certifications such as PSP (Physical Security Professional), CPP (Certified Protection Professional), ASIS certifications, FEMA Incident Command certifications
• Secret (or higher) security clearance level
• Equity – We know that our employees are the reason we succeed. To give everyone a stake in our future, we are pleased to offer equity in the form of stock options to all regular, full‑time employees.
• Company‑paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Holidays – 10 days (including an end‑of‑year closure)
• On‑site gym or monthly wellness stipend (depending on location)
• Dog friendly offices!

Compensation

Target Levels:

• Level 3: $72,660 - 108,885
• Level 4: $92,610 - 138,810

Our job posts are intentionally written to attract a wide variety of experience levels, and we make decisions about the right fit on a per‑candidate basis.

Your actual level and base salary will be decided based on your specific experience and skill level.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (i.e., current Green Card holder), or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Candidate Rights & Accommodations

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including with respect to disability and veteran status. It is committed to compliance with all equal opportunity laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and Title VII. It does not discriminate on the basis of nationality, race, citizenship, immigration status, or any other protected class when it comes to employment practices, including hiring.

Employment at the Company is contingent upon satisfactory completion of reference and backgroundchecks, and on your ability to prove your identity and authorization to work in the U.S. for the Company. Employees must comply with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services employment verification requirements, and, therefore, they must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 at the start of employment and re‑verify authorization to work periodically.

Separate from this I-9 process, as noted above, this position entails access to certain technology and technical data that is restricted under U.S. export control laws and regulations. Employment or continued employment may be conditioned on your legal authorization to work with or have access to export control materials as necessary to perform your job.

E-Verify

Stoke Space uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

For more information on the right to work, please refer to the poster here .

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Stoke Space ’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A \"disabled veteran\" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A \"recently separated veteran\" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An \"active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran\" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An \"Armed forces service medal veteran\" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 07/31/2029

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury

Disability Status Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.