The Role (also the Mission)The CISO is our chief protector. Our infrastructure, threat model, and customer expectations are more complex than a typical mobile carrier or a typical software company. Your challenge is to enable rapid product innovation without compromising on our goal to be the most secure commercial mobile network on the planet. You'll own the strategy and execution of security across our network, products, and corporate systems and work as a partner to Engineering and the executive team.
This is a build-and-defend role, not a maintain-the-status-quo role. You will immediately take ownership of a highly technical, responsive, and ambitious security, IT, and compliance org. Your mandate is to resource, mature, and scale this team to stay ahead of threats and enable Cape's rapid growth.This role is based out of our NYC or DC office and reports to our founder and CEO John Doyle.
Here are some ways you'll make an impact (also Outcomes of the role)- Own Cape's end-to-end security strategy - network infrastructure, product/application security, cloud and corporate IT, and physical/personnel security.
- Build and lead a security team capable of defending a carrier-grade network against sophisticated, well-resourced adversaries, including nation-state actors.
- Design and drive the security architecture and controls for a cellular network we operate ourselves, from the radio access network through core infrastructure and subscriber data systems.
- Partner closely with Engineering leadership to embed security into the product development lifecycle.
- Lead teams conducting threat modeling, penetration testing, red-teaming, and incident response programs.
- Set and communicate security policy to the board and executive team, translating technical risk into business terms and making tradeoffs with speed of execution.
- Vet and manage relationships with external security vendors, auditors, and researchers, including running a responsible disclosure / bug bounty program.
- Champion a security-first culture across the entire company, not just within the security team.
Are you the candidate we are looking for? (Requirements for the role) You have:
- 10+ years in information security, with at least 5 years in a senior security leadership role (CISO, VP Security, Head of Security) at a company with meaningful infrastructure or regulatory complexity.
- Experience managing geographically dispersed teams of engineers.
- A track record of building security teams and programs from an early stage, not just operating a mature one you inherited.
- Deep technical credibility - you can go toe-to-toe with your best engineers on architecture and risk, while also speaking fluently to executive leadership and the board.
- A genuine belief that privacy and security are inseparable, and that protecting users sometimes means resisting internal and external pressure to compromise on either.
- Excellent judgment under ambiguity and the ability to move fast without cutting corners that matter.
Bonus Points: (Some nice to haves for this role)
- Direct experience securing telecom, network infrastructure, or other critical infrastructure - you understand things like SS7, radio networks, or core carrier systems, or you've secured environments of comparable complexity (e.g., cloud infrastructure providers, fintech, critical infrastructure).
- Experience securing an environment with Forward Deployed Engineers and the complexity around high risk travel.
We offer competitive compensation that is geo-adjusted based on your location, along with meaningful equity so you share in the value you help create. Salary range for this role in NYC/DC is
$300,000 - $350,000 depending on experience and interview performance and location.
Our benefits include:
- 401(k) match
- 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and your dependents
- 12 weeks paid parental leave (for all parents, no waiting period)
- Stipends for
- Family-forming needs
- Gender-affirming care
- Unlimited PTO
- Relocation and moving assistance if needed
