COMSEC Manager

Turion Space•Irvine, CA

2d•$160,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

Turion Space is developing vertically integrated hardware and software for the space economy, including DROID space vehicles and the Starfire software suite. The COMSEC Manager will build, scale, and manage the company’s Communications Security operations, cryptographic asset lifecycle, and U.S. Space Force and Department of Defense COMSEC acquisitions across spacecraft programs, ground stations, and classified facilities. This role will establish Turion Space’s corporate COMSEC infrastructure, policies, and operational workflows, supporting secure spacecraft telemetry and command encryption and compliance across Collateral, SCI, and SAP environments. This is a full-time, on-site position at Turion Space’s Irvine, California headquarters. The role may require alternate or extended shifts and travel during peak work periods, with travel up to 20% specified in the minimum qualifications.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship; active DoD Top Secret clearance and TS/SCI eligibility on Day 1; ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI clearance and SAP access.
At least 3 years of hands-on COMSEC account management experience, including acquisition, receipt, custody, safeguarding, accounting, and destruction of COMSEC material.
Demonstrated experience with COMSEC acquisitions and coordination with USSF, such as SSC, SpOC, or related DoD space acquisition and controlling authorities.
Hands-on experience supporting spacecraft cryptographic systems, such as space-to-ground telemetry and command encryption, flight ECUs, or ground station cryptographic equipment, as well as facility INEs and fill devices.
Experience with NSA/CSS Policy 3-16 or equivalent agency or Service COMSEC doctrine, and CARDS or KMI/DIAS.
Ability to work autonomously as a builder and self-starter, establishing foundational COMSEC processes, documentation, and training programs.
Ability to perform regular moderate lifting of approximately 25–40 pounds for equipment movement and installation.
Ability to travel up to 20% for spacecraft test campaigns, vendor validations, government coordination, and launch site operations.

Nice To Haves

Formal NSA COMSEC Custodian or Manager Certification, or KMI Operating Account Manager (KOAM) training.
Experience supporting COMSEC in SAP and SCI environments, including initial COMSEC account establishment and classified facility buildouts.
Hands-on experience supporting spacecraft AI&T, Hardware-in-the-Loop testing, and launch base COMSEC operations.
Experience scaling security or COMSEC programs in a fast-paced aerospace or defense startup environment.

Responsibilities

Establish and scale the COMSEC program, including corporate SOPs, account structures, and cryptographic workflows.
Lead forecasting, ordering, procurement, and acquisition of space-qualified and ground COMSEC equipment, Type-1 cryptographic devices, and key material in coordination with USSF, NSA, and government Controlling Authorities.
Serve as the COMSEC subject matter expert for spacecraft TT&C encryption, mission data encryption, ground station integration, AI&T, Functional Ground Test, and launch site keying.
Manage the receipt, custody, key loading, distribution, supersession-date tracking, software and firmware upgrades, transfer, and destruction of COMSEC material and equipment.
Maintain accountability of COMSEC assets under NSA/CSS Policy Manual 3-16 and applicable DoD/USSF doctrine, and submit reports to the NSA Central Office of Records through CARDS and KMI.
Conduct physical inventories, compliance validations, self-inspections, and incident reporting and investigations to maintain audit readiness for DCSA, NSA, and USSF inspections.
Train, brief, and certify spacecraft engineers, AI&T technicians, mission operators, and program personnel on COMSEC safeguarding, handling, key loading, and emergency destruction.
Coordinate with security leadership, government CORs, and COMSEC Controlling Authorities on facility accreditations, SCIF and SAPF buildouts, equipment bottlenecks, and cryptographic schedules aligned with spacecraft build and launch milestones.