Program Security Manager

GITAI • Los Angeles, CA

10h • $145,000 - $185,000 • Onsite

About The Position

GITAI is seeking a Program Security Manager to translate Government-approved Security Classification Guides (SCGs), DD Forms 254, and related guidance into clear, practical rules for technical work. The role partners with Mechanical, Electrical, Software, and Systems Engineering leaders to apply classification requirements to designs, CAD, circuits, firmware, source code, analyses, and test data, and coordinates unclear cases with authorized Government representatives. The manager also coordinates Quality Management Plan (QMP) reviews of Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) contributions with qualified, designated technical reviewers. Hands-on software engineering experience and technical classification-management expertise are essential.

The position reports to the Senior Management Official (SMO), with day-to-day priorities coordinated with the VP of Legal and VP of Program Management. It works closely with Engineering, the Facility Security Officer (FSO), Quality, IT/Cybersecurity, Contracts, and Export Compliance. The role is based onsite in Torrance, California, five days per week; remote or hybrid work is not expected. Limited business travel may be required.

The Program Security Manager leads interpretation and application of Government-issued classification guidance; integrates classification requirements into engineering work and reviews; coordinates QMP reviews of covered LPR contributions; and supports security procedures, compliance, training, reviews, and incident-response coordination. The position does not confer Original Classification Authority or permit independent classification decisions outside authorized derivative classification procedures. It does not have primary ownership of program cost, schedule, or portfolio delivery.

This is a full-time, exempt position. The expected base salary range is $145,000–$185,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, and the role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. U.S. citizenship and eligibility to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance are required; an active Secret clearance or higher is strongly preferred.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or another closely related STEM field.
• Hands-on professional software engineering experience, including developing, integrating, or reviewing software, embedded software, or firmware.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying U.S. Government SCGs to engineering data, such as source code, hardware designs, technical specifications, or test results, in classified U.S. Government or DoD programs.
• Experience working directly with engineering teams and Government security representatives to resolve technical classification questions.
• Working knowledge of DD Form 254, NISP, classified information, and CUI requirements, with experience developing practical security procedures, training, and auditable processes.
• Professional experience at a venture capital-backed startup; past or current employment qualifies.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible to obtain and maintain the U.S. Government security clearance required for the Program.
• Must comply with requirements applicable to classified information, CUI, and export-controlled technical data.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S.; visa sponsorship is not available.
• The role requires onsite work in Torrance, CA five days per week.

Nice To Haves

• Active Secret clearance or higher.
• Experience in spacecraft, satellites, defense systems, missile defense, sensors, robotics, or complex hardware/software development.
• Experience building or improving classification and technical-information security processes at an aerospace or defense startup.
• Experience administering FOCI mitigation requirements, Quality Management Plans, or independent reviews of engineering contributions.
• Experience with code review, secure development and build processes, static code analysis, software composition analysis, configuration management, or technical integrity testing.
• Background as a Program Security Manager, CPSO, Classification Management Specialist, Industrial Security Specialist, or in a comparable role.
• Broader program management, Government customer coordination, and cross-functional stakeholder management experience.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and apply Government-issued SCGs, DD Forms 254, and other approved classification guidance to GITAI technical work, maintaining internal guidance traceable to those sources.
• Partner with engineering leaders to assess information disclosed by designs, software, interfaces, specifications, simulations, manufacturing data, and test results, and establish appropriate classification, marking, handling, and segregation requirements.
• Participate in technical and design reviews to identify classification questions, including issues involving aggregation, compilation, release, and transfer of technical information.
• Coordinate unresolved classification questions with the Government Program Security Officer or other authorized Government representatives, and document guidance, decisions, and follow-up actions.
• Build repeatable workflows for classified and unclassified data that address classification, access control, marking, and pre-release review requirements; help prevent information spills and train personnel.
• Coordinate implementation of the QMP Quality Review of LPR Contributions process for covered software, firmware, scripts, configuration and build files, hardware and circuit designs, programmable logic, drawings, specifications, analyses, test results, and related components.
• Work with the SMO and Engineering to ensure reviews are performed by appropriately cleared U.S. citizen employees with need-to-know, relevant technical competence, and written SMO designation.
• Coordinate use of SMO-approved review procedures and tools addressing technical accuracy, contract conformance, unauthorized functionality, and confirmation that contributions are unclassified and were prepared without access to classified information.
• Coordinate source-code review, static and software-composition analysis, testing, configuration control, build integrity, and documented acceptance before contributions enter the Program baseline.
• Ensure reviews are independent of LPR direction or approval, review standards and tools are SMO-approved, and feedback to LPR personnel remains unclassified.
• Coordinate with Engineering and IT to protect the Program baseline and build environment as required by the QMP.
• Ensure review findings, author attribution, corrective actions, and acceptance records are captured; coordinate security concerns or suspected classified content promptly with the FSO and SMO.
• Personally conduct software-related technical reviews only when technically qualified and formally designated; domain-specific mechanical, electrical, and other technical reviews remain with suitably qualified designated reviewers.
• Work with the FSO, Legal, Engineering, Quality, and IT/Cybersecurity to implement relevant classified-information, CUI, technology-control, and FOCI mitigation procedures, including applicable QMP, AOP, TCP, and ECP requirements.
• Support DCSA and Government security reviews, internal training, incident-response coordination, and continuous improvement of classification and technical-information protection procedures.
• Support program and stakeholder coordination as needed, without primary ownership of program cost, schedule, or portfolio delivery.

Benefits

• Platinum medical plan with 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and 90% coverage for dependents.
• 401(k) plan with company match up to 3.5%, with traditional and Roth options.
• Eligibility for stock options, depending on role.
• Relocation support for qualifying positions.
• 12 paid holidays per year, 12 days of paid vacation per year, and paid sick leave in accordance with applicable law.
• Free snacks and drinks, plus regular team events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager