The posting
Swarm Aero is redefining air power, building the largest swarming UAV and the most versatile swarming aircraft network in the world. The company is moving quickly to launch the first aircraft designed specifically for swarming, as well as the Command & Control software to mobilize swarms of thousands of heterogeneous autonomous assets and empower human operators to achieve superhuman results.
The team has created and exited multiple startups, negotiated defense deals worth billions of dollars, and designed and built 30+ novel aircraft, with aerospace experience from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.
The Role
You will be Swarm Aero's first dedicated industrial security leader charged with scaling our industrial security program. Our program is rapidly growing in size and expanding in scope across personnel, facilities, and access. You will work across the entire FSO portfolio as well as wider compliance obligations and processes.
This role is not a fit for someone who expects to arrive with the guardrails of an established program or a large team. It is a fit for someone who has built programs from scratch, thrives in ambiguity, and can move between updating a Standard Practices and Procedures (SPP) in the morning and walking a contractor through SCIF construction specs in the afternoon. Our program is accelerating – you are capable of executing and delivering on this expansion with thoroughness and rigor.
You will also work closely with legal on ITAR and trade compliance, with IT on network access and secure systems, and with talent acquisition on cleared hiring.
What You Will Do
Own the industrial security program
- Serve as appointed FSO under 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM) and act as our primary interface with DCSA
- Lead implementation of classified safeguarding, work areas including Open Storage Areas, and inspection and accreditation in coordination with DCSA and applicable government customers.
- Serve as Swarm Aero’s internal security lead for SCIF planning and construction, coordinating with the government sponsor, Cognizant Security Authority, Accrediting Official, Site Security Manager, architects, and contractors from initial requirements through accreditation and operation.
- Support a geographically diverse, nation-wide footprint. Maintain and, when necessary, create all required program documentation
- Lead the annual NISP self-inspection and coordinate DCSA assessments
- Partner with IT, Contracts, and Legal to operationalize CUI requirements, including handling procedures, access restrictions, physical safeguards, training, contractual flow-downs, and incident escalation. Coordinate with IT on the technical implementation of NIST 800-171 and CMMC requirements.
- Coordinate with IT and the ISSM/ISSO on classified information systems, including personnel eligibility, need-to-know, physical access, user authorization, incident response, and facility requirements. The ISSM retains responsibility for the technical information-system security and authorization program.
- Manage profiles and maintain records in DISS, NISS, and related systems of record
- Deliver the security education program: indoctrinations, refresher training, foreign travel briefings, and reporting requirements
- Partner with talent acquisition on cleared hiring, crossovers, and realistic clearance timelines
Integrate security with contracting flow-downs, trade compliance, and cybersecurity
- Partner with Legal and trade compliance to implement ITAR/EAR controls across personnel access, facilities, visitors, technical data, third parties, and security processes. Identify potential export-control concerns and escalate regulatory interpretations, licensing decisions, and disclosures to counsel and the Empowered Official.
- Advise leadership on the operational impact of ITAR/EAR requirements as they intersect with industrial security, while coordinating legal interpretations with counsel and the Empowered Official.
- Capture, implement, and monitor compliance with contractual obligations
- Coordinate with IT on network access controls for secure spaces and collaborate with the ISSM/ISSO on information system accreditation
- Track and maintain DD-254s and subcontractor security flow-downs
Report at scale
- Build the security metrics and reporting cadence leadership needs as we grow through Series B and beyond: clearance pipeline, compliance posture, incidents, and program milestones
What You Bring
- Active Top Secret clearance; SCI eligibility strongly preferred
- Significant industrial security experience under the NISP, including time as an appointed FSO or AFSO
- Track record standing up or dramatically scaling a security program, ideally at a startup or fast-growing defense company
- Working fluency with DISS, NISS, and related systems of record
- Working knowledge of ITAR/EAR and demonstrated experience applying export-control restrictions to personnel access, visitors, facilities, technical data, and third-party relationships.
- Enough cyber fluency to work credibly with IT and ISSM/ISSO counterparts on secure systems and network access
- Independent judgment, high initiative, attention to detail, and comfort operating without a playbook
- Clear communicator who can translate security requirements for engineers and executives without slowing the company down
- Experience integrating industrial security, export compliance, CUI, cybersecurity, and contract-security requirements within a common compliance operating model.
Nice to Have
- Experience standing up SCIF and/or SAP facilities including network accesses
- Trade compliance experience or dual FSO/trade compliance background
- COMSEC custodian experience
- Military and/or intelligence security career background
ITAR requirement
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Swarm Aero is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse backgrounds and experiences and make employment decisions without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or disability.
What We Offer
- Meaningful equity in a high-growth defense technology company
- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
- Medical, dental, vision, and 401k
- PTO and paid sick leave
- Monthly wellness stipend
- Daily catered lunch (office)
- Paid parental leave
- Direct impact on a critical national security mission
- A world-class team of engineers and operators solving genuinely hard problems
