Manager, Protective Operations Test & Launch Full Time

About the Team:

The Protective Operations team is responsible for safeguarding our people, facilities, critical assets, and operations across manufacturing, test, launch, and corporate environments. From physical site security and access control to supporting rocket transportation, launch activities, and high-profile events, the team plays a mission-critical role across the company. We partner directly with leadership and cross-functional teams to manage risk, respond to complex operational needs, and adapt to an ever-evolving aerospace environment. Our work has company-wide impact, and no two days are quite the same.

About the Role: This role requires 40% travel to Stennis, MS.

• Lead physical security operations across assigned Test & Launch locations, including launch, propulsion test, office, storage, and supporting facilities. 
• Manage internal and contracted security personnel, ensuring appropriate staffing, post coverage, operational readiness, training, and performance. 
• Develop and maintain site-specific security plans, post orders, emergency procedures, escalation protocols, and risk-mitigation strategies aligned with enterprise standards.
• Partner closely with Test & Launch leadership, Facilities, EH&S, Legal, Export Compliance, IT, and government or military installation partners to support safe and secure operations.
• Oversee incident response, investigations, access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, visitor management, emergency coordination, and other physical security systems and programs. 
• Identify vulnerabilities, emerging risks, and operational gaps, and independently develop practical solutions and corrective actions to strengthen the security posture.

About You:

• 5+ years of experience in physical security, law enforcement, military security, emergency management, or a related operational field, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience leading security teams, supervisors, vendors, or multi-site operations in a fast-paced, high-risk, or regulated environment. 
• Strong working knowledge of physical security systems, incident management, emergency response, investigations, security assessments, and facility protection.
• Experience developing security procedures, post orders, training programs, operational standards, and corrective-action plans.
• Working knowledge of ITAR, CUI, export-control requirements, or other security and regulatory compliance obligations. 
• Ability to operate independently, exercise sound judgment under pressure, travel regularly between assigned U.S. facilities, and support critical operations outside normal business hours when needed.

Nice to haves but not required:

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, launch, propulsion testing, advanced manufacturing, or other mission-critical operations.
• Experience operating within NASA, U.S. Space Force, Department of Defense, or other government-controlled installations.
• Experience coordinating with military security forces, law enforcement, fire departments, emergency services, or government agencies.
• Active or previously held U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Successful candidates must clear a background check administered by the US government to obtain clearance for on-site work at our government partner location in Cape Canaveral, Florida.