About the Role
We are hiring a Director, Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) to own that posture end to end and build the function that keeps Apex audit-ready across every framework our business depends on.
This is a player-coach leadership role. You will personally own our GRC program - control frameworks, risk management, audits, assessments, and the body of evidence that proves our compliance - while building and leading the team that sustains it. You will directly manage an Information System Security Officer (ISSO) and Information System Security Manager (ISSM), setting their priorities, developing their careers, and holding the line on the standards our authorizations and certifications require.
You will report to the Director of Cybersecurity and serve as the connective tissue between security, legal, engineering, IT, and program teams. Apex operates across government/defense (NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, FedRAMP), commercial security (SOC 2, ISO 27001), export and trade control (ITAR/EAR), and data privacy (GDPR, CCPA) - this role sees all of it and is accountable for turning that patchwork of obligations into a single, coherent, continuously-maintained program.
Responsibilities• Own Apex's GRC program end to end, establish and maintain the control frameworks, policies, standards, and procedures that govern how the company secures its systems and data.
• Lead, manage, and mentor the GRC team, including a direct-report ISSO and ISSM; set priorities, define ownership, and grow the team's capability as the program scales.
• Drive compliance against government and defense requirements - NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, and FedRAMP - including SSP and POA&M development, control implementation, continuous monitoring, and audit/assessment readiness.
• Own the commercial security certification roadmap (SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001), managing scoping, evidence collection, auditor relationships, and remediation to certification and renewal.
• Partner with Legal and Trade Compliance on export control (ITAR/EAR) and with Privacy stakeholders on GDPR/CCPA obligations, ensuring technical and administrative controls map cleanly to regulatory requirements.
• Build and run the enterprise risk management process: maintain the risk register, lead risk assessments, drive remediation to closure, and report residual risk to leadership in terms the business can act on.
• Manage the full audit and assessment lifecycle - internal, customer, and third-party - serving as the primary point of contact and owning the evidence, narratives, and corrective actions.
• Establish and maintain a centralized control framework that de-duplicates overlapping requirements across regimes, so a single set of controls satisfies many obligations.
• Run the vendor and third-party risk program, assessing suppliers and partners against Apex's security and compliance requirements.
• Deliver clear, decision-ready reporting to the Director of Cybersecurity and executive stakeholders on compliance status, risk posture, and audit outcomes.
Requirements• 8+ years in governance, risk, and compliance, information security, or a closely related field, including direct experience owning a GRC or security compliance program.
• Experience leading and managing people - you have built, managed, or mentored security/compliance staff and are ready to own an ISSO and ISSM as direct reports.
• Deep, hands-on knowledge of NIST SP 800-171 and the NIST frameworks (800-53, RMF/CSF), with practical experience in CMMC and/or FedRAMP authorization work.
• Demonstrated ownership of commercial security certifications - SOC 2 and/or ISO 27001 - from scoping through audit and certification.
• Working familiarity with export control (ITAR/EAR) and data privacy (GDPR, CCPA) obligations, and how they translate into technical and administrative controls.
• Proven ability to manage audits and assessments end to end and to build the evidence and documentation that withstands external scrutiny.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills - able to translate between regulators, auditors, engineers, and executives without losing precision.
• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export-controlled data.
Nice-to-Haves• J.D. law degree or master's degree in public policy
• Experience in aerospace, defense, space, or another regulated hardware/manufacturing environment.
• Active or prior U.S. government security clearance.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CISA, or CCSP.
• Experience standing up a GRC program or control framework from the ground up in a high-growth company.
• Familiarity with GRC tooling and automated evidence-collection / continuous-monitoring platforms.
• Experience building compliance for a product or platform that is itself sold or licensed to customers.
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What We Offer For Full-time Employees:- Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create
- Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost
- Comprehensive PTO package: Starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
- Competitive 401(k) plan: Generous matching - 100% match on first 3%, 50% on next 2%
- 8 weeks paid parental leave: Plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel
- Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks: To keep you fueled throughout the day
- Vibrant community: Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and gatherings for you and your family
- Your dream desk setup: All the tools you need to be your most productive self
- World-class Playa Vista office: With the benefit of in-person collaboration with amazing coworkers and flexibility to integrate work and life
- Real impact opportunity: Work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting-edge industries to make a lasting difference
Additional Information:Compensation ranges are set by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. A candidate's specific level and base pay are determined case by case and may vary with job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities, and internal equity. Beyond base salary, full-time hires are also eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options, along with medical, dental, and vision coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan.
ITAR RequirementsApex's work is governed by U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To be eligible for this role, applicants must either (1) qualify as a U.S. Person, meaning a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), a refugee admitted under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or an individual granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or (2) be able to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or another applicable U.S. government agency. You can learn more about ITAR here.
