Security Specialist

Divergent; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

Discretionary bonus opportunities

Paid vacation and sick time

Company holidays

Job summary

Divergent in Torrance, CA is seeking a Security Specialist to own and continuously improve physical access-control, visitor, and export-control programs. You will evaluate risks, apply independent judgment on access decisions, and partner with the Site Security Manager to strengthen overall security posture.

Responsibilities include managing access structures, authorizing access or escalation, implementing safeguards, conducting risk assessments, and leading security awareness initiatives.

Qualifications

• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
• Associate degree and relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong written communication and documentation skills; ability to develop procedures and trainings.

Responsibilities

• Owns access program design and maintenance for physical access-control and video surveillance platforms.
• Designs safeguards for export-controlled information and implements eligibility requirements.
• Conducts risk and vulnerability assessments and suggests improvements to security controls.
• Develops and revises security policies, SOPs, and visitor/contractor requirements.
• Leads security incident reviews, investigations, and compliance activities.
• Designs security-awareness curriculum and delivers employee training.

Skills

Security policy development

Risk assessment

Documentation

Interpersonal skills

Project coordination

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams)

Job description

Divergent is building the new industrial age. Every day, our teams design, manufacture, and assemble advanced systems for some of the world’s most demanding industries. Our integrated engineering and manufacturing platform transforms complex designs into production-ready solutions, helping customers move faster, build smarter, and deliver critical systems when they matter most. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs and supports leading U.S. aerospace and defense companies.

Join us and help push the boundaries of what can be built.

Purpose

The Security Specialist owns the administration and continuous improvement of the company’s physical access-control, visitor, and export-control access programs at the Torrance site. You will evaluate security risks, operational requirements, and compliance obligations; exercise independent judgment on access and control decisions; develop policies and procedures; and partner with the Site Security Manager to strengthen the company’s overall security posture.

The Role

Exercises independent authority to approve or deny access, resolve access exceptions, authorize surveillance footage release, and determine findings in security reviews. Implements improvements to access levels and controls within the established access framework, and brings significant changes to the access architecture, policy, or security strategy to the Site Security Manager for alignment.

• Access program ownership. Design and maintain the access-level structure for the physical access-control and video surveillance platforms. Approve or deny access to restricted and export-controlled areas, conduct periodic access reviews, and resolve access exceptions and escalations. Set access standards for onboarding, transfers, and terminations in coordination with People Ops, Facilities, and IT.
• Export-control and restricted-area safeguards. Design and implement the physical and administrative controls that protect export-controlled information, technology, and hardware. Establish access eligibility requirements, including U.S.-person verification when applicable, and maintain the related safeguards, signage, and records.
• Risk assessment and improvement. Evaluate security gaps, conduct risk and vulnerability assessments, and select and implement improvements to security controls within the established access framework. Partner with the Site Security Manager on changes that significantly alter the access design or security strategy.
• Policy and procedure development. Develop and revise security policies, SOPs, post orders, and visitor and contractor requirements, aligned with company security strategy. Advise managers on applying security requirements to operational situations.
• Audits, investigations, and compliance. Conduct and lead security incident reviews and internal inspections. Determine findings and root causes, recommend corrective actions to management, and authorize release of surveillance footage for authorized safety, compliance, or investigative requests.
• Security-awareness program. Design the security-awareness curriculum and briefings, set completion requirements, evaluate program effectiveness, and provide guidance to employees and leaders.
• Protect sensitive, confidential, proprietary, export-controlled, and security-related information.
• Perform other security program duties consistent with the role.

Basic Qualifications

• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government (USG) security clearance.
• Associate degree and relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions on security and access matters.
• Strong written communication and documentation skills, including the ability to develop clear procedures, training materials, and professional communications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond appropriately to time-sensitive security matters.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with employees, contractors, vendors, and leadership.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in security management, criminal justice, business administration, emergency management, or a related discipline.
• Experience administering access-control, video surveillance, or visitor-management systems.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, technology, or another regulated environment.
• Familiarity with U.S. export-control requirements, including ITAR and EAR.
• Experience conducting physical-security audits, investigations, risk assessments, or compliance reviews.
• Experience developing and delivering security-awareness training.

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily onsite in a professional office and active manufacturing environment. Exposure may include moderate noise, moving equipment, production activity, and areas requiring personal protective equipment and compliance with site safety rules.
• Regular collaboration with manufacturing leaders, employees, technical subject-matter experts, people partners, and vendors is required. Occasional travel between company locations and schedule flexibility to observe or support multiple manufacturing shifts may be required.
• The employee routinely uses a computer and standard office and security equipment and must be able to communicate and exchange information effectively in person and through digital channels.
• Work may require employee to lift and carry security equipment, supplies, or packages weighing up to 25 pounds.

Pay Range: $94,610 USD - $130,090 USD

What We Offer Our Regular, Full-Time Employees:

• Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
• Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
• Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
• Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

EEO Poster

In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected.

E-Verify: Right to Work

Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate’s eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.

Eligibility to Work Poster (English) | Eligibility to Work Poster (Spanish)

Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO)

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

No agencies, no solicitations, and no calls please.