Special Security Officer (SSO)

Quantum Space; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity sharing

Health benefits (medical, dental, and视

Generous leave

HSA

401(k) matching

Job summary

Quantum Space is seeking an experienced Special Security Officer to lead and support security operations for classified and national security programs in the Hawthorne, CA area. You will serve as a trusted security partner to leadership, engineering, and program teams while building strong relationships with government customers and security stakeholders.

The role emphasizes deep security expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to operate in sensitive environments, including managing SCI/SAP

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressively responsible security experience supporting classified U.S. Government, defense, intelligence, aerospace, or national security programs
• Significant experience supporting classified programs within the national security space or regulated aerospace and defense
• Strong understanding of personnel, physical, information, and program security requirements
• Experience supporting SCI and/or SAP environments
• Working knowledge of ICD 705, DoD 5205.07, NISPOM requirements, and related government security guidance
• Experience interacting directly with government security representatives and program security stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility and build trusted relationships with government customers
• Ability to navigate complex government organizations and security processes effectively
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to operate independently in sensitive environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to translate complex security requirements for technical and non-technical teams

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary security interface between Quantum Space and U.S. Government customers, security representatives, and classified program stakeholders
• Build and maintain trusted relationships across the national security space and government security communities
• Develop and execute security strategies supporting classified programs and new mission opportunities
• Advise leadership on security requirements, risks, and considerations affecting classified programs
• Manage security requirements for classified programs, facilities, personnel, information, and operations
• Support SCI and SAP activities, as applicable
• Coordinate personnel security actions, including clearance processing, indoctrinations, debriefings, visit requests, access determinations, and related documentation
• Support the establishment, accreditation, and ongoing operation of classified facilities and secure work environments, including SCIFs and SAPFs as required
• Develop, implement, and maintain security policies, procedures, and SOPs consistent with government and customer requirements
• Interpret and implement applicable security directives, including ICDs, DoD requirements, and customer-specific guidance
• Partner with business development and program teams to identify security requirements early in the capture and program lifecycle
• Support classified proposal, capture, and customer engagement activities
• Conduct security education, training, briefings, and awareness programs for employees supporting classified activities
• Prepare for and support government security reviews, inspections, and assessments
• Maintain strict accountability and protection of classified information and assets
• Help build a security culture that enables teams to move quickly while maintaining uncompromising standards for protecting national security information

Skills

Security leadership

National security

Government liaison

Risk management

Security policy

communicate effectively

Strong judgment

Job description

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking an experienced Special Security Officer (SSO) to lead and support security operations for Quantum Space’s classified and national security programs.

This is a highly visible role for someone who understands how to operate effectively within the national security space environment and has experience supporting complex classified programs. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of government security requirements, strong relationships within the classified space community, and the ability to navigate customer organizations with credibility and sound judgment.

You will serve as a trusted security partner to our leadership, engineering, business development, and program teams while building and maintaining strong working relationships with government customers and security stakeholders. You will help ensure Quantum Space has the security infrastructure, processes, and partnerships necessary to pursue and execute increasingly complex classified missions.

This role is ideal for someone who combines deep security expertise with strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to build trusted relationships across government and industry.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Serve as a primary security interface between Quantum Space and U.S. Government customers, security representatives, and classified program stakeholders
• Build and maintain trusted relationships across the national security space and government security communities
• Develop and execute security strategies supporting classified programs and new mission opportunities
• Advise program and company leadership on security requirements, risks, and considerations affecting classified programs
• Manage security requirements associated with classified programs, facilities, personnel, information, and operations
• Support Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Program (SAP) activities, as applicable
• Coordinate personnel security actions, including clearance processing, indoctrinations, debriefings, visit requests, access determinations, and related documentation
• Support the establishment, accreditation, and ongoing operation of classified facilities and secure work environments, including SCIFs and SAPFs as required
• Develop, implement, and maintain security policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) consistent with government and customer requirements
• Interpret and implement applicable security directives, including ICDs, DoD requirements, and customer-specific guidance
• Partner with business development and program teams to identify security requirements early in the capture and program lifecycle
• Support classified proposal, capture, and customer engagement activities
• Conduct security education, training, briefings, and awareness programs for employees supporting classified activities
• Prepare for and support government security reviews, inspections, and assessments
• Maintain strict accountability and protection of classified information and assets
• Help build a security culture that enables teams to move quickly while maintaining uncompromising standards for protecting national security information

What It Takes

• 7+ years of progressively responsible security experience supporting classified U.S. Government, defense, intelligence, aerospace, or national security programs
• Significant experience supporting classified programs within the national security space or highly regulated aerospace and defense environment
• Strong understanding of personnel, physical, information, and program security requirements
• Experience supporting SCI and/or SAP environments
• Working knowledge of applicable security policies and frameworks, including ICD 705, DoD Manual 5205.07, NISPOM requirements, and related government security guidance
• Experience interacting directly with government security representatives and program security stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility and build trusted relationships with government customers
• Ability to navigate complex government organizations and security processes effectively
• Strong understanding of how security requirements intersect with program execution, business development, and new program capture
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to operate independently in sensitive environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex security requirements for technical and non-technical teams
• Active Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility
• Ability to maintain all security clearances and accesses required for the position

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Established relationships within the Southern California national security space and classified security community
• Experience supporting government space acquisition, development, or operational programs
• Experience serving as an SSO, CPSO, FSO, CSSO, or senior security professional supporting classified aerospace or space programs
• Experience working directly with government program offices and customer security organizations
• Experience establishing, accrediting, or managing a SCIF and/or SAPF
• Experience supporting SAP and SCI program environments
• Experience helping an organization establish or expand its classified program capabilities
• Familiarity with DCSA requirements, DISS, NBIS, NISS, and related security systems
• Experience supporting classified capture, proposals, and new business activities
• Knowledge of counterintelligence, OPSEC, insider threat, and security education programs
• Experience operating in a fast-paced aerospace, defense technology, or growth-stage environment

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Help build and shape Quantum Space’s classified security infrastructure and capabilities
• Partnership – Develop trusted relationships with customers and security stakeholders supporting critical national security missions
• Mission – Enable highly consequential spacecraft programs supporting U.S. national security objectives
• Impact – Directly influence Quantum Space’s ability to pursue, win, and execute classified missions
• Growth – Play a foundational role as our classified portfolio, facilities, and security organization expand
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Location

Hawthorne, CA

Base Salary

$150,000 to $200,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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 Quantum 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.