Contractor Program Security Officer

Rocket Lab Corporation•Long Beach, CA

6d•$88,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Contractor Program Security Officer (CPSO) is based onsite at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, California. The CPSO develops, implements, supervises, and maintains program security for selected Department of War (DoW) and Intelligence Community (IC) programs, serving as the primary contractor security point of contact for assigned programs. The role partners with the Government Program Security Officer, corporate FSO/CPSO, and site security team to ensure compliant program operations and produces deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, customers, and investors. The CPSO supports classified launch campaigns and classified payload and space vehicle development, addressing physical, information, personnel, operations, and launch integration security.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen with a current Tier 5 investigation (formerly SSBI) and maintain an active Top Secret/SCI clearance with polygraph, as required by program sponsors.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM), SAP, SCI, and related security regulations.
Bachelor's degree in a related discipline and at least 5 years of related work experience, or equivalent education, certification, and work experience.
Must be located within or relocate to a 60-minute commute of the facility and be able to respond to and investigate after-hours alarms or on-call assignments when necessary.
Ability to travel in support of other locations or programs when required.
Must work onsite at the listed location.

Nice To Haves

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate on significant matters with senior-level leaders, internal and external personnel, and customers.
Self-driven and results-oriented, able to manage multiple tasks concurrently and present sound, decisive, risk-managed security recommendations in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Experience with Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) mitigation, including mitigation agreements and plans such as Technology Control Plans, Electronic Communications Plans, and Annual Implementation Reports.
Experience with systems of record such as DISS, NBIS, NISS, TALON/SCT, SIMS, and JADE.
Experience as a titled COMSEC account manager.
Experience developing and executing program protection strategies for existing and developing NISP, SAR, and/or SCI programs.
Experience with SCIF/SAPF construction and the ICD 705 Technical Specification.
Experience with access control and intrusion detection system platforms.
Ability to manage large projects or processes that span beyond the immediate job area.

Responsibilities

Serve as CPSO for assigned programs and act as the primary liaison to the Government Program Security Officer on program security matters.
Manage program security in compliance with DoDM 5205.07, 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM), Intelligence Community Directives, and other applicable government security directives; enforce policies for Collateral, SCI, and SAP management.
Author, implement, support, and enforce security plans for classified and unclassified hardware, launch vehicles, and space vehicles during manufacture, movement, transportation, integration, and launch. Plans include SOPs, CONOPS, EAPs, PPPs, CSPs, and FFCs.
Maintain accreditation and compliance of program-specific SAPFs, SCIFs, and closed areas under ICD 705 and applicable DoW standards; coordinate construction, modification, and accreditation with the site FSO, facilities, vendors, and government customers.
Conduct physical security surveys and risk assessments, and implement countermeasures to protect personnel, facilities, and classified assets.
Define physical security requirements for assigned program areas and coordinate access control, intrusion detection, and container and combination management with the site security team.
Lead preparation for and support government program security inspections, and support DCSA security reviews related to assigned programs.
Conduct administrative inquiries into security incidents and non-compliance, and report incidents, adverse information, and suspicious contacts related to assigned programs.
Execute facility and program-specific security education and training, including initial, refresher, insider threat, and derivative classification training.
Execute the security self-inspection program and correct deficiencies to improve security posture across assigned program areas.
Perform personnel security functions, including nomination interviews, access-requirement validation, investigative requests and nomination packages, indoctrinations, and debriefings.
Maintain personnel security records in internal and official government systems of record, including DISS, NBIS, JADE, and TALON/SCT.
Coordinate with the FSO and Insider Threat Program on reporting for program-briefed personnel, including foreign travel, foreign contacts, and adverse information.
Process program visit requests and support classified meetings.
Account for, control, package, transmit, destroy, and safeguard classified assets and COMSEC.
Perform courier duties and other security-related travel as needed.
Review and generate DD Form 254s and provide guidance on flow-down security requirements.
Provide indirect supervision and training to less experienced security staff.
Support Business Development by providing security requirements and estimating security support for proposals.
Respond to alarms and emergencies after business hours, including nights and weekends.
Perform other security-related duties as assigned or required by program needs.

Benefits

Company stock as part of the total compensation package.
Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a significant company HSA contribution.
Dental and vision coverage.
Paid vacation and sick time.
11 paid holidays.
Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
Paid parental leave.
Disability and life insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Subsidized EV charging.
Onsite fitness centers where available.
Discounted gym memberships.
Complimentary snacks and beverages.
50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
Other employee discounts.