Principal Director, Security Operations, West

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

Security and Environmental Health, and Safety provides strategic leadership and integrated security solutions to safeguard our people, assets, and information while enabling mission success across the enterprise. As threats evolve in complexity—from nation-state actors to insider risks—we are building a world-class organization that operates at the intersection of physical security, special programs, cybersecurity, safety and proactive threat mitigation. We are looking for a Principal Director to lead our security operations for the Western Region.

This senior-level position will oversee classified program security, facility protection, insider threat programs, information assurance, industrial security and crisis response, while partnering with senior leadership to build organizational resilience. Reporting to the General Manager – Chief Security Officer, you will be instrumental in protecting our customer’s and corporation’s most sensitive programs, technologies, and personnel in an increasingly complex threat environment.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead enterprise security operations developing and implementing integrated security solutions that encompass proactive and mission-focused risk management, crisis preparedness, informed through actionable threat intelligence while adhering to establishing contractual and regulatory compliance requirements across multiple classified environments supporting both Aerospace and our diverse customer portfolio.
• Direct all aspects of classified program security, ensuring compliance with National Industrial Security Program (NISP), Intelligence Community Directives (ICD), DoD 5205 series SAP Manuals, JSIG, and NISPOM requirements while enabling operational mission success
• Build and lead high-performing security teams, including direct management of security professionals, 24x7 contractor guard forces, and oversight of insider threat, counterintelligence, and incident response capabilities
• Serve as the organization's senior security strategist, partnering with C-suite executives, program managers, and government customers to assess risks, implement controls, and translate complex security requirements into actionable business solutions
• Support enterprise insider threat program end-to-end, including detection strategy, investigation management, cross-functional collaboration with the Insider Threat Program Senior Official, People Operations and Legal, and implementation of forward-leaning controls to reduce attack surface from internal threats
• Oversee sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) operations, including ICD-705 construction oversight, COMSEC programs, classified storage and inventory, media control, and visitor management within secure areas
• Manage security investigations, incident response, and crisis management, serving as incident commander for security events requiring evacuation, shelter-in-place, or lockdown procedures and ensuring rapid, effective response to insider threat detections and anomalies
• Direct strategic security budgets, forecast resource requirements, negotiate Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with customers, develop Co-Use and Joint Use Agreements with government partners, and optimize security investments for maximum effectiveness
• Drive security technology modernization, including Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), physical security information management (PSIM) systems, and custom tooling to automate security operations and enhance threat detection capabilities
• Provide direct support to international programs and collaborate with programs, customers and governments to identify effective ways to support solutions and maintain compliance.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in security management, Intelligence Studies, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, or related discipline
• 12+ years of progressive security leadership experience with at least 5 years in senior director or executive roles managing classified program security, special access programs, or enterprise security operations in defense, aerospace, or intelligence community environments
• Current Top Secret/SCI security clearance with ability to obtain and maintain SAP accesses, adjudicated polygraph highly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required.
• Expert knowledge of classified program security requirements, including DoD 5205 series SAP Manuals, JSIG, NISPOM, Intelligence Community Directives (ICD 705, ICD 503), and DCSA compliance frameworks
• Proven experience leading insider threat programs, including investigation management, anomaly detection, digital forensics, incident response, and cross-functional collaboration with People Operations, Legal, and technical teams
• Demonstrated experience managing security teams (40+ personnel), including contractor guard forces, security specialists, and insider threat analysts in 24x7 operational environments
• Technical proficiency with security technologies including EDR tools, DLP systems, PSIM platforms, COMSEC equipment, and data analysis in large-scale environments
• Strong analytical and investigative skills, capable of interpreting complex data from multiple telemetry sources, deriving actionable insights, and translating technical security issues into clear recommendations for non-technical stakeholders
• Experience with SCIF construction and operations, including ICD-705 compliance, classified storage management, and sensitive compartmented information handling
• Willing and able to provide after-hours response to security incidents and alarm situations; travel domestically approximately 20-25% to secure facilities and customer sites

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Master’s degree in security management, Intelligence Studies, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, or related discipline
• 20+ years of security leadership experience with demonstrated progression from tactical security operations to strategic executive leadership in defense, intelligence, or critical infrastructure sectors
• Active Top Secret/SCI with adjudicated polygraph and current investigation
• Multiple professional certifications demonstrating breadth of expertise:
• Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
• Physical Security Professional (PSP) or Industrial Security Professional (ISP)
• CISSP or other cybersecurity certifications
• CDSE certifications (e.g., Industrial Security Professional course completions)
• ICD-705 SCIF Construction certification
• Programming or automation experience in Python, Go, or similar languages; familiarity with infrastructure as code (Terraform, AWS CDK) for building security controls and custom tooling
• Counterintelligence background, including experience with CI concepts, foreign intelligence threat assessments, and their application in security operations and insider threat detection
• Understanding export control regulations and international security requirements, including ITAR, EAR, and foreign disclosure processes
• Government or military intelligence background, particularly in counterintelligence, special security, or force protection roles
• Crisis management and emergency response expertise, including experience leading organizations through major security incidents, insider threat cases, or classified information compromises
• Track record of security innovation, including implementing advanced threat detection capabilities, automating security operations, and building security cultures in complex, classified environments

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.