Senior Contractor Program Security Officer (CPSO)

As a CPSO at Impulse Space you will own day-to-day security for assigned Special Access Programs (SAP), Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), and collateral contracts whose requirements exceed standard NISPOM compliance. You are the primary interface with government Program Security Officers and the internal partner to Program Management, Engineering, the Facility Security Officer, ISSO/ISSM, and COMSEC.

This is a senior individual-contributor role. You will stand up and run program security for a growing portfolio, write the procedures, prepare the facility and the people for inspections, and give leadership a clear read on security risk to schedule and milestones

Responsibilities

• Serve as CPSO (and CSSO as assigned) for designated SAP, SCI, and multi-level programs; own compliance with each contract’s DD Form 254 and customer security guidance
• Act as primary liaison to U.S. Government Program Security Officers, DCSA, and customer security offices on access, inspections, deviations, and rulings
• Process Program Access Requests (PARs), SCI nominations, and access eligibility determinations; maintain access rosters and personnel security records in DISS, NBIS, Scattered Castles, JADE, and related systems
• Prepare, review, and maintain prime and subcontract DD Form 254s; enforce flow-down of classification and safeguarding requirements to teammates and suppliers
• Develop and maintain program security documentation: Standard Operating Procedures, Program Protection Plans, OPSEC plans, CONOPs for classified and unclassified work, Security Classification Guide implementation, and classification-marking guidance
• Manage classified material accountability - inventories, receipts, transmittals, destruction, and final disposition - and ensure marking and control meet contractual requirements
• Lead internal self-inspections; prepare the team for Staff Assistance Visits, DCSA assessments, and customer security inspections; close findings with documented corrective action
• Partner with the FSO and Physical Security on SCIF/SAPF operations, ICD 705 construction and accreditation support (FFCs, diagrams, TEMPEST coordination, IDS/ACS), and closed-area procedures
• Coordinate with ISSO/ISSM on classified information-system requirements and RMF support for program systems; coordinate with COMSEC on keying material used by assigned programs
• Support manufacturing, test, and operations CONOPs as Impulse’s hardware and mission cadence grows
• Travel as required to customer sites, test locations, and partner facilities

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship. Active DoD Top Secret clearance with current SCI eligibility. Must be able to obtain and maintain SAP accesses and a CI-scope polygraph
• Bachelor’s degree in security management, criminal justice, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 10+ years of industrial / program security experience in a cleared defense, aerospace, or intelligence environment, including at least 5 years as a CPSO, CSSO, or equivalent SAP/SCI program security lead
• Demonstrated working knowledge of 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM), DoDM 5205.07 Vol 1–4, ICD 704 and ICD 705, and classification management practice
• Clear written and verbal communication with engineers, program leadership, and government security officers
• Ability to work on-site in Redondo Beach, CA

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Current TS/SCI with polygraph and existing SAP indoctrinations
• CPSO experience supporting space, launch, spacecraft integration, remote sensing, or other National Security Space programs
• Hands-on experience with personnel security systems used on SAP/SCI programs (DISS, NBIS, Scattered Castles; JADE or equivalent preferred)
• Experience standing up a SAP/SCI program or accrediting a new SCIF/SAPF
• Familiarity with DD Form 254 development for primes and subcontractors, Program Protection Plans, and OPSEC planning
• Comfort operating in a high-tempo startup or New Space environment where process is being built, not just administered

Additional Information

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here .

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.