Mission Security Engineer

True Anomaly

$120K — $190K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3-5 years in technical IT, security engineering, DevSecOps, or software development
  • Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility
  • DoD 8140 IAT Level II certification required
  • Experience with NSA Type 1 cryptographic solutions
  • Knowledge of NIST 800-53 security controls implementation
  • Hands-on experience with STIGs at various system levels
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or related field

Responsibilities

  • Implement security controls for C2 systems and spacecraft platforms
  • Ensure security architectures provide effective monitoring and incident response
  • Implement zero trust architecture throughout the product lifecycle
  • Validate DISA STIG requirements for various system layers
  • Integrate RMF controls into CI/CD pipelines using DevSecOps practices
  • Remediate findings from audits and maintain ATO posture
  • Support RMF Steps 1-6, focusing on assessment preparation and remediation

Benefits

  • Professional development support for training and certifications
  • Collaborative culture with spacecraft engineers and security experts
  • Equity and comprehensive health benefits including HRA/HSA options and paid time off
  • Opportunities to impact national security with cutting-edge technology
  • Onsite work environment with high autonomy and ownership
Full Job Description
Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

YOUR MISSION

As a Mission Security Engineer, you will be a critical technical expert securing national security space systems, classified ground-based Command and Control (C2) infrastructure, and space vehicle hardware and software.

This is a hands-on role that blends deep technical Information Technology (IT) expertise with cybersecurity and compliance acumen. We are looking for candidates with deep expertise in at least one of the following disciplines:
  • Cybersecurity compliance (NIST 800-53 controls implementation and validation)
  • DevSecOps
  • Software Development
  • Operating systems & hosting (Windows / Linux)
  • Cloud infrastructure deployment (AWS/Azure)
  • Containerization infrastructure, Kubernetes, EKS, AKS
  • Boundary protection
  • Endpoint Detection and Response / Extended Detection and Response (EDR/XDR)
  • Security Information and Event Management / Security Operations Center (SIEM/SOC) deployment

You will work as part of a highly capable, cross-functional team to design, deploy, measure, and document classified systems from the ground up - navigating dynamic, cross-program priorities that change daily. You will be responsible for ensuring our systems meet the most rigorous federal security standards while accelerating delivery of critical warfighting capabilities to Department of War and Intelligence Community customers.

This is an ideal role for a security-focused technologist with deep IT or cybersecurity technical skills who is eager to take novel, innovative approaches to cybersecurity and compliance. If you're energized by the challenges of securing mission-critical systems that protect lives and national interests, join our team.

Responsibilities
  • Implement end-to-end security controls for ground-based C2 systems, spacecraft hardware and software platforms, spanning firmware, embedded systems, cloud-native applications, and operational technology
  • Ensure security architectures enable effective monitoring, logging, and incident response without compromising operational tempo
  • Implement security controls and zero trust architecture throughout the product development lifecycle, minimizing RMF findings through strong upfront engineering
  • Implement and validate DISA STIG requirements at the OS, container, platform, and application layers within products as they are developed
  • Integrate RMF controls into CI/CD pipelines through DevSecOps practices including Infrastructure as Code (IaC), automated security scanning, and continuous monitoring tooling
  • Identify and remediate findings from STIGs, vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and SCA activities to maintain ATO posture
  • Support all RMF Steps 1-6, with emphasis on control implementation, assessment preparation, and remediation for DoD and IC programs
  • Ensure compliance with NIST 800-53, CNSSI 1253, ICD 503, JSIG, and other applicable frameworks for National Security Systems (NSS) handling classified information up to TS/SCI
  • Support cloud Provisional Authorization (PA) and inherited control models across classified cloud environments (e.g., Impact Level (IL)-6 Cloud Service Providers (CSPs))
  • Contribute technically to security artifacts including SSPs, SAPs, SARs, and POA&Ms
  • Serve as a credible technical voice with government ISSOs, ISSEs, and third-party assessors during ATO and reauthorization activities

Required Qualifications
  • 3-5 years of combined experience in a technical IT field, security engineering, DevSecOps, and/or software development
  • Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility required
  • DoD 8140 IAT Level II certification (Security+, CySA+, or equivalent) required
  • Experience implementing or utilizing NSA Type 1 cryptographic solutions in operational systems
  • Experience with RMF processes and achieving ATOs for complex systems
  • Working knowledge of NIST SP 800-53 security controls and how they map to technical implementation
  • Hands-on experience implementing STIGs at the OS, container, platform, and application level
  • Familiarity with space system architectures including satellite operations, ground segments, and TT&C systems
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Preferred Qualifications
  • Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph
  • Direct experience securing C2 systems, space systems, or other DoD mission systems
  • Experience supporting DoD or IC customers through ATO, re-ATO, or continuous authorization
  • Direct experience within IL-5 or IL-6 impact level cloud environments
  • Knowledge of cloud security control inheritance and shared responsibility models within DoD IL-5 or IL-6 environments
  • Familiarity with Cross Domain Solutions (CDS), data guards, or other information flow control technologies
  • Experience with FedRAMP High, CMMC, or DoD IL-5/IL-6 authorizations
  • Experience integrating security tooling (e.g., SIEMs, vulnerability scanners, audit/logging systems) into development workflows
  • Understanding of zero trust architectures and modern identity solutions applied to classified environments

Work Environment
  • This role will be onsite in Denver, CO (preferred) or Long Beach, CA #LI-Onsite
  • Fast-paced, mission-critical environment supporting national security space operations
  • Requires coordination across distributed teams including spacecraft engineers, ground operations, and government partners
  • May require participation in on-call rotation for security incident response and mission-critical system support
  • High degree of autonomy and ownership as a trusted, cleared team member
  • Occasional travel to government sites, launch facilities, or partner locations may be required

What We Offer
  • Competitive salary commensurate with experience and clearance level
  • Opportunity to drive security posture for cutting-edge space systems with national security impact
  • Professional development support including conferences, training, and security certifications
  • Collaborative culture working alongside spacecraft engineers, mission operators, and experienced security professionals
  • Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Compensation
  • Colorado Base Salary: $115,000-$180,000
  • California Base Salary: $120,000-$190,000 for Long Beach
  • Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave
  • Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you 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.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you 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.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at True Anomaly

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Mission Security Engineer jobs: