Manager, Security Operations / Facility Security Officer (FSO)

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for a Manager, Security Operations / Facility Security Officer (FSO), to support our Vice President, Global Security & Intelligence.  This manager role will be responsible for the day-to-day physical security operations across our multiple facilities in addition to being the Facility Security Officer (FSO).  You will play a pivotal role in building out and implementing our clearance processes, managing personnel security clearances, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, and contributing to secure operations. This role ensures we proactively protect, train, and provide safety to employees, visitors, assets, and critical infrastructure while aligning with both corporate objectives and federal security regulations. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

This is an exempt position based out of our Long Beach, CA facility. 

Responsibilities: 

Physical Security Operations

• Lead and scale enterprise wide security operations across all Vast locations, establishing strategic direction, operational consistency, and measurable performance standards aligned with company growth and risk priorities. 
• Provide leadership oversight for site security management teams, including security supervisors, vendor partners, guard force operations, and contract performance management. 
• Direct the organization’s response to significant security incidents and critical events, ensuring rapid coordination, executive communication, root-cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions. 
• Drive enterprise crisis management, emergency preparedness, and business continuity initiatives to ensure operational resilience during emergencies, natural disasters, workplace incidents, and evolving threat conditions. 
• Develop and execute long-term physical security strategies, policies, standards, and governance frameworks that support regulatory compliance, aerospace industry requirements, and operational objectives. 
• Establish and oversee security compliance and audit programs across all facilities, ensuring adherence to corporate policies while identifying systemic gaps, trends, and opportunities for continuous improvement. 
• Partner cross-functionally with Security Technology, IT, Cybersecurity, Facilities, Legal, People, and Operations leadership to integrate physical security programs with broader enterprise risk management initiatives. 
• Build and lead high performing security organizations by recruiting, mentoring, and developing management level talent while fostering a culture centered on accountability, professionalism, responsiveness, customer service, and operational excellence. 
• Oversee enterprise security risk assessment programs, ensuring identification, prioritization, and mitigation of physical security vulnerabilities across facilities, personnel, assets, and operations. 
• Define operational metrics, KPIs, and performance standards for security teams and vendors, using data driven analysis to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and service delivery. 
• Provide executive level reporting and recommendations on security posture, operational trends, incidents, staffing, risks, and strategic initiatives. 
• Ensure enterprise wide completion and effectiveness of security training programs, leadership development initiatives, and compliance requirements while driving continuous professional development within the organization. 
• Lead regular operational reviews, leadership meetings, and cross-site coordination efforts to align security priorities, communicate strategic objectives, share lessons learned, and standardize best practices. 
• Oversee workforce planning, staffing models, budget considerations, and administrative operations for security programs to ensure appropriate coverage and operational readiness across all sites. 
• Evaluate and implement scalable security technologies, systems, and operational processes that enhance situational awareness, incident response capability, and overall organizational security maturity.

Facility Security Officer (FSO) Duties

• Act as the primary liaison from the Security team to assist with the clearance process, including compliance with regulations, security protocols required by customers or contracts, and stay aware of changing industrial security regulations.
• Ensure compliance with security requirements, including the completion, dissemination, and tracking of DD254s.
• Develop and work to implement the facility's security program in compliance with applicable government regulations.
• Manage and oversee the personnel security clearance process, including initiation, maintenance, and termination of clearances.
• Conduct security education, training, and awareness programs for eventual cleared employees.
• Conduct security self-inspections, apply risk mitigation methodologies, support customer assessments, and implement security measures to meet requirements.
• Prepare for and participate in security inspections, audits, and assessments conducted by government agencies.
• Maintain accurate records of security-related activities, including visit authorizations, incident reports, and security violations.
• Provide briefings and debriefings to employees holding clearances, and regular re-briefing of employees on foreign travel.
• Report security incidents, violations, and adverse information to appropriate authorities in a timely manner.
• Ensure proper marking, handling, storage, and destruction of eventual classified and sensitive materials.
• Develop and implement procedures for handling foreign travel and contacts by cleared employees.
• Stay current with changes to security regulations and implement necessary adjustments to the facility's security program.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Five (5) plus years of experience managing security teams, with at least three (3) years as a Facility Security Officer (FSO) or Contractor Special Security Officer (CSSO) supporting Department of Defense or Intelligence Community programs.
• Experience as a certified FSO.
• Experience leading an organization through the Facility Security Clearance (FCL) process.
• Knowledge and experience going through DCSA audits.
• Strong knowledge of physical security systems, access control, CCTV, and incident response.
• Proven track record managing vendor relationships and overseeing contract security personnel. 
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to travel between our multiple Southern California locations, Washington D.C office, and potentially to our overseas office locations.
• Valid California driver's license

Preferred Skills & Experience: 

• Active Security Clearance, preferably Top Secret/SCI security clearance with in-scope polygraph.
• Prior experience with managing security teams in a controlled environment, including aerospace or high-risk industries.
• Advanced certifications such as the CPP, PSP, or similar.
• Familiarity with emergency management frameworks such as ICS and FEMA.
• Experience working in cross-functional environments and working with law enforcement of a local or federal scale.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with strong attention to detail 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, along with effective teamwork abilities

Additional Requirements: 

• Willingness to work outside of normal business hours, or weekends to support critical mission milestones or perform work when others aren’t on property. 
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted
• Positive, solution-focused attitude
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Pay Range: 

• Manager, Security Operations: $114,000 - $162,000

Pay Range: California$114,000—$162,000 USD

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast 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.