Relativity Space

Manager, Protective Operations Test & Launch

Relativity Space • $106K — $158K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in physical security, law enforcement, military security, emergency management, or related operational fields; 3+ years in a leadership role.
  • Experience managing security teams or multi-site operations in high-risk or regulated environments.
  • Knowledge of physical security systems, incident management, and emergency response.
  • Proven ability to develop security procedures and training programs.
  • Familiarity with ITAR, CUI, and export-control compliance requirements.
  • Ability to work independently and exercise judgment under pressure.

Responsibilities

  • Lead physical security operations at Test & Launch locations for various facilities.
  • Manage security personnel, ensuring appropriate staffing and operational readiness.
  • Develop and maintain site-specific security plans and risk-mitigation strategies.
  • Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure safe operations.
  • Oversee incident response, access control, CCTV, and other security systems.
  • Identify vulnerabilities and develop solutions to enhance the security posture.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary and equity options.
  • Generous PTO and sick leave policy.
  • Parental leave support.
  • Annual learning and development stipend.
Full Job Description
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.

At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.

Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.

Hiring Range:

$106,000-$158,000 USD

About Relativity Space

Relativity Space is an American aerospace manufacturer that is developing 3D printed rockets. The company was founded in 2015 by Tim Ellis and Jordan Noone, and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Relativity Space's goal is to reduce the cost and time required to produce rockets by using 3D printing technology. The company's rockets are designed to be fully reusable, which could significantly reduce the cost of space launches. Relativity Space has received funding from a number of investors, including Mark Cuban and Playground Global.
Learn more about Relativity Space
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2016

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Relativity Space

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Manager, Protective Operations Test & Launch jobs: