SCI)

K2 Space•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers – we’re mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space. The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today’s and tomorrow’s massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits. With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we’d love for you to apply. K2 Space is seeking a COMSEC Manager to support our comprehensive security program and ensure compliance with DOW and Intelligence Community security requirements. This is a high-impact role for a self-motivated individual who can collaborate with government security stakeholders, safeguard classified information across multiple sensitivity levels, and drive a culture of security awareness at K2. The position provides day-to-day support for Collateral, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), and Special Access Program (SAP) activities. The COMSEC Manager must be well-versed in COMSEC requirements and procedures, including the acquisition, maintenance, operations, and disposition of COMSEC equipment. As our COMSEC Manager, you would serve as the Network Designer Lead, supporting the networks and local area networks (LANs) of DOW and Intelligence Community customers across multiple security domains, with a focus on COMSEC account management and cryptologic duties, including the operation and maintenance of encryption devices. You would also be responsible for overseeing the communications security program and ensuring the protection of sensitive information transmitted across network-connected and point-to-point communications systems. As we scale, you will ensure our security infrastructure grows to meet evolving classified program requirements, working closely with the IT Security and Compliance Lead and executive leadership to develop and expand our secure capabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Active Top Secret SCI clearance, consent to CI Poly.
2+ years relevant/direct experience.
Strong understanding of COMSEC accountability, as well as knowledge of the procedures required for the issue and receipt of COMSEC equipment and materials, including inventory and mailing.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to brief executives, employees, and government stakeholders on security requirements.
Experience with COMSEC tools and software such as KMI (Key Management Infrastructure), COMSEC equipment management platforms, or similar systems.
Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience establishing a COMSEC program from the ground up in a commercial or government contractor environment.
Hands-on experience planning, building, accrediting, and maintaining COMSEC architecture for spacecraft.
Relevant certifications such as CISSP or COMSEC Manager (e.g., CNSS 4011).

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the organization's COMSEC program, ensuring compliance with national security policies, standards, and regulations (e.g., NIST, FIPS, DOW directives).
Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and safety standards.
Own COMSEC account management, custodian duties, and encryption device configuration and maintenance.
Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure integration of COMSEC measures into broader IT and security strategies.
Provide expert advice and guidance on COMSEC issues to leadership, staff, and other stakeholders.
Maintain a current inventory of all Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI) material.
Coordinate system maintenance, monitoring, and installation of COMSEC equipment across multiple WAN/LAN environments.
Develop and maintain a roadmap for capabilities, operations, and technologies, including guidance on forecasting cryptographic equipment needs.
Assist with the development and execution of test plans and supporting documentation for all communications security configuration upgrades, additions, or revisions, obtaining customer approval prior to implementation.
Evaluate and recommend technology upgrades and changes to address performance, standardization, and industry best practices.
Perform audits and assessments of COMSEC operations to ensure program effectiveness and efficiency.
Maintain current knowledge of emerging threats and new technologies within the COMSEC domain.
Conduct inventories and inspections of secure equipment (e.g., secure telephone and encryption devices) and classified keying material, and provide related COMSEC support and oversight.
Administer a Top Secret inventory and document control program to account for COMSEC equipment and materials.
Install secure telephone equipment (STE) and coordinate delivery of encryption devices and keying material to IT specialists maintaining classified networks.
Conduct inventories in accordance with agency policy and report any discrepancies to the government customer.
Enforce compliance with NSA Central Security Service Policy Manual No. 3-16, related COMSEC derivatives, and DOW and IC COMSEC standards.
Ensure Automated Information Systems Security requirements related to COMSEC duties are met.
Train personnel in COMSEC procedures and the use of related equipment.
Provide leadership, mentoring, and quality assurance for team members.