PERSONAL SECURITY (PERSEC) LEAD

The Personnel Security (PERSEC) Lead is responsible for the strategic oversight and day-to-day execution of Rocket Lab’s personnel security program in support of the company’s overall national security mission. This role ensures full compliance with the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and applicable government regulations while enabling the business to move quickly and win classified work. The PERSEC Lead partners closely with Industrial Security, Physical Security, IT Security, HR, Legal, and Program Management to ensure cleared personnel are processed efficiently, compliantly, and with a high degree of integrity.

The PERSEC Lead acts as a technical leader and trusted advisor within the Global Security organization. This individual demonstrates ownership of business outcomes, proactively identifies risk before it becomes impact, and drives continuous improvement of personnel security processes. They balance strict regulatory compliance with Rocket Lab’s need for speed and innovation, ensuring Security enables mission success rather than impedes it.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:  

• Lead and manage the enterprise-wide Personnel Security program, ensuring compliance with 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM) and all applicable DoD and Intelligence Community requirements.
• Oversee end-to-end clearance processing, including initial investigations, periodic reinvestigations, Continuous Vetting updates, upgrades, SCI nominations, polygraph coordination, as well as briefings and debriefings.
• Serve as the primary interface with DCSA, DoD, and IC PERSEC representatives for all clearance-related matters.
• Ensure accurate and timely submissions and management within DISS, NBIS, and other government systems of record.
• Develop and maintain internal controls, SOPs, and metrics to ensure audit readiness and continuous compliance under the company’s FCL, 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM) and all applicable DoD and Intelligence Community requirements.
• Lead adverse information reporting, incident management, and coordination with Insider Threat, Legal, and HR to ensure proper handling and mitigation.
• Partner with Leadership and Talent Acquisition to forecast clearance demand, reduce processing cycle times, and align personnel security actions with business growth objectives.
• Provide subject matter expertise to senior leadership regarding clearance strategy, eligibility risk, and program impact to contracts and revenue.
• Train managers and employees on clearance responsibilities, reporting obligations, and security best practices.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A PERSONNEL SECURITY (PERSEC) LEAD:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in security management, business, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in Industrial Security with significant focus on Personnel Security (PERSEC).
• Deep working knowledge of 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM) requirements, DISS, NBIS, TALON, and related DoD/IC systems.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen with a current SSBI and must maintain an active Top Secret SCI clearance with polygraph as required by program sponsor(s).
• Domestic travel may be required (25%).

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:  

• Experience supporting SCI and/or SAP programs and Intelligence Community customers.
• Strong background in audit preparation and successful DCSA assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive issues with discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism.
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills coupled with strong business acumen

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.   
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.  
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings 
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise. 

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY OFFICER (ISSO)

Based out of Rocket Lab headquarters in Long Beach, CA the Sr. Information System Security Officer (ISSO) is responsible for maintaining the overall security posture for all Rocket Lab classified information systems and is accountable for the implementation of the Risk Management Framework (RMF). The ISSO will be responsible for implementing and maintaining security controls for systems, ensuring ongoing Authorization to Operate (ATO), and serving as a security advisor to system owners and development teams. In this role you will support the ISSM, CPSO/FSO and Government Program Security organization.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: 

• Ensure classified information systems meet cybersecurity requirements and government directives through the performance of system auditing, vulnerability risk assessments, assured file transfers, hardware and software configuration management, data integrity control implementation, and investigations on security violations and/or incidents.
• Provide cybersecurity education and training to all system users; Provide technical and procedural Information System security expertise as needed. 
• Assume System Administrator and ISSE responsibilities as necessary and assist in other disciplines of Security as needed to support the program.
• Develop, maintain, and update, in coordination with all system stakeholders, any required POA&Ms to identify system weaknesses, mitigating actions, resources, and timelines for corrective actions. Entries in the POA&M will be based on vulnerabilities and recommendations identified during assessments.
• Maintain the system(s) in accordance with the security plan and Authorization to Operate (ATO); manage, maintain, and execute the continuous monitoring strategy.
• Ensure approved procedures are used for sanitizing and releasing system components and media.
• Perform other security-related duties as assigned or required by program needs.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related technical discipline preferred, or the equivalent combination of education, professional training, or work experience culminating in at least 5 years of experience in cybersecurity, information technology, or a related field as an ISSO, ISSE, or System Administrator implementing or managing cybersecurity requirements, security plans, and accreditation packages for classified information systems under DoD and/or IC organizations.
• Must possess or be able to obtain DoD 8140 IAM Level II security certification within 4 months of employment (CISSP, CISM or Security+ equivalent).
• Experience with eMASS, SNOW, NIST 800-53, and NIST 800-171 implementations.
• Experience with cyber tools such as Nessus, Splunk, etc.
• Active DoD Top Secret SCI clearance with CI polygraph as required by program sponsor(s) with a current SSBI 
• Ability to travel in support of other locations or programs when required.

The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at the listed location.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: 

• Experience developing and executing program protection strategies for existing and developing NISP, SAR, and/or SCI programs
• Ability to manage large projects or processes that span outside of immediate job area.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and operate as a team member.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.   
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.  
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings 
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.