Cyber Security Product Risk Manager (Space Systems)

SET Development

$120K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related STEM field OR equivalent experience
  • 5+ years of cybersecurity experience in aerospace, defense, or embedded systems environments
  • Strong RMF implementation experience in complex systems
  • Hands-on expertise with hardware or firmware security
  • Familiarity with NIST 800-53 / CNSSI-1253 and DevSecOps practices
  • 5+ years of program or project leadership experience, leading complex multi-team initiatives

Responsibilities

  • Lead cybersecurity strategy and risk management for spacecraft systems and embedded hardware
  • Develop methodologies to identify and analyze hardware-level vulnerabilities
  • Perform firmware extraction, reverse engineering, and exploit analysis
  • Support secure architecture development for secure boot and space bus systems
  • Ensure cybersecurity requirements are integrated throughout the product lifecycle
  • Architect and execute RMF implementation
  • Provide regular updates to senior leadership and stakeholders

Benefits

  • Opportunity to significantly influence the design and security of space systems
  • Engagement in cutting-edge aerospace projects with real-world impacts
  • Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and direct interaction with industry partners
  • Exposure to government stakeholders and contribution to national security objectives
  • Challenging environment that values strong ownership and accountability in cybersecurity efforts
Full Job Description
Position Overview

SET Development is seeking a Cyber Security Product Risk Manager to support the security and resilience of space-based systems, including spacecraft and associated hardware.

This role sits at the intersection of cybersecurity, space systems engineering, and compliance, ensuring that cyber risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated across the full product lifecycle-from architecture through operations.

You will act as a key cybersecurity authority within a multidisciplinary engineering environment, driving RMF implementation, hardware-level security analysis, and compliance execution.Key ResponsibilitiesCybersecurity & Technical Execution
  • Lead cybersecurity strategy and risk management across spacecraft systems and embedded hardware
  • Develop methodologies to detect and analyze hardware-level vulnerabilities (e.g., PCB analysis, debug port identification)
  • Perform firmware extraction, reverse engineering, and exploit analysis
  • Support secure architecture development, including secure boot and space bus systems
  • Ensure cybersecurity requirements are embedded across the full lifecycle (design 12 test 12 operations)
RMF & Compliance
  • Architect and execute Risk Management Framework (RMF) implementation
  • Develop and maintain:
    • System Security Plans (SSP)
    • Risk Assessment Reports
    • Security Controls Traceability Matrices (SCTM)
    • Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&Ms)
  • Apply NIST 800-53 controls (CNSSI-1253 context) to space systems
  • Support cybersecurity assessment events with ISSOs, ISSMs, and engineering teams
Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Act as the cybersecurity lead within integrated space engineering teams
  • Coordinate across Cyber, Systems Engineering, Compliance, and Legal
  • Drive prioritization across multiple product initiatives and workstreams
  • Serve as escalation point for cybersecurity risks and issues
Stakeholder & Program Engagement
  • Provide regular updates to senior leadership and program stakeholders
  • Collaborate with suppliers and partners on secure product development
  • Engage with government stakeholders and industry partners on cybersecurity strategy
  • Incorporate customer feedback into product and security improvements
Required QualificationsEducation
  • Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related STEM field OR equivalent experience
Experience
  • 5+ years of cybersecurity experience in aerospace, defense, or embedded systems environments
  • Strong experience implementing RMF in complex systems
  • Hands-on experience with hardware or firmware security
  • Familiarity with:
    • NIST 800-53 / CNSSI-1253
    • DevSecOps practices
  • 5+ years of program or project leadership experience, including:
    • Leading complex, multi-team initiatives
    • Delivering systems or products with measurable impact
Preferred Qualifications (Where People Usually Fall Short)
  • Direct experience with spacecraft systems or satellite architectures
  • Experience securing onboard computers / flight software
  • Background in offensive security (exploit development, reverse engineering)
  • Experience supporting ATO / cybersecurity accreditation processes
  • Familiarity with supply chain cybersecurity risks in aerospace
Core Competencies
  • Strong systems-level thinking (not just checklist compliance)
  • Ability to operate in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
  • Comfortable pushing back on engineering teams when risk is real
  • High ownership mentality-this is not a 22support22 role
Why This Role Matters

Most programs treat cybersecurity as documentation. This role exists to prevent that failure mode.

You will directly influence how secure space systems are designed, built, and deployed-not just how they're audited.

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