Manager, Security Operations / Facility Security Officer (FSO)

Job description

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy. Vast is looking for a Manager, Security Operations / Facility Security Officer (FSO), to support our Vice President, Global Security & Intelligence. This manager role will be responsible for the day-to-day physical security operations across our multiple facilities in addition to being the Facility Security Officer (FSO). You will play a pivotal role in building out and implementing our clearance processes, managing personnel security clearances, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, and contributing to secure operations. This role ensures we proactively protect, train, and provide safety to employees, visitors, assets, and critical infrastructure while aligning with both corporate objectives and federal security regulations. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. This is an exempt position based out of our Long Beach, CA facility. Responsibilities: Physical Security Operations • Lead and scale enterprise wide security operations across all Vast locations, establishing strategic direction, operational consistency, and measurable performance standards aligned with company growth and risk priorities. • Provide leadership oversight for site security management teams, including security supervisors, vendor partners, guard force operations, and contract performance management. • Direct the organization’s response to significant security incidents and critical events, ensuring rapid coordination, executive communication, root-cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions. • Drive enterprise crisis management, emergency preparedness, and business continuity initiatives to ensure operational resilience during emergencies, natural disasters, workplace incidents, and evolving threat conditions. • Develop and execute long-term physical security strategies, policies, standards, and governance frameworks that support regulatory compliance, aerospace industry requirements, and operational objectives. • Establish and oversee security compliance and audit programs across all facilities, ensuring adherence to corporate policies while identifying systemic gaps, trends, and opportunities for continuous improvement. • Partner cross-functionally with Security Technology, IT, Cybersecurity, Facilities, Legal, People, and Operations leadership to integrate physical security programs with broader enterprise risk management initiatives. • Build and lead high performing security organizations by recruiting, mentoring, and developing management level talent while fostering a culture centered on accountability, professionalism, responsiveness, customer service, and operational excellence. • Oversee enterprise security risk assessment programs, ensuring identification, prioritization, and mitigation of physical security vulnerabilities across facilities, personnel, assets, and operations. • Define operational metrics, KPIs, and performance standards for security teams and vendors, using data driven analysis to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and service delivery. • Provide executive level reporting and recommendations on security posture, operational trends, incidents, staffing, risks, and strategic initiatives. • Ensure enterprise wide completion and effectiveness of security training programs, leadership development initiatives, and compliance requirements while driving continuous professional development within the organization. • Lead regular operational reviews, leadership meetings, and cross-site coordination efforts to align security priorities, communicate strategic objectives, share lessons learned, and standardize best practices. • Oversee workforce planning, staffing models, budget considerations, and administrative operations for security programs to ensure appropriate coverage and operational readiness across all sites. • Evaluate and implement scalable security technologies, systems, and operational processes that enhance situational awareness, incident response capability, and overall organizational security maturity. Facility Security Officer (FSO) Duties • Act as the primary liaison from the Security team to assist with the clearance process, including compliance with regulations, security protocols required by customers or contracts, and stay aware of changing industrial security regulations. • Ensure compliance with security requirements, including the completion, dissemination, and tracking of DD254s. • Develop and work to implement the facility's security program in compliance with applicable government regulations. • Manage and oversee the personnel security clearance process, including initiation, maintenance, and termination of clearances. • Conduct security education, traini