Secure Systems

Business Segment Director – Space Mission Systems | TS/SCI Poly | Scottsdale, AZ

Business Segment Director – Space Mission Systems

πŸ“ Location: Scottsdale, Arizona / Remote Flexibility Available
🏒 Work Model: Remote with Travel Requirements
πŸ’Ό Employment Type: Full-Time
πŸ” Security Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI Clearance Required at Time of Hire
πŸ”’ CI Polygraph Preferred (Must be eligible and willing to obtain post-hire if not currently held)

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

  • Base Salary: $200,000 – $290,000
    (Depending on experience and qualifications)

  • Full comprehensive benefits package

  • Relocation assistance available for ideal candidates

  • Interview travel reimbursement provided

πŸ“ Location & Travel Expectations

  • The role can ultimately be performed remotely with travel as needed

  • However, the first 3 months will require significant onsite presence in Scottsdale to support onboarding, stakeholder integration, and operational ramp-up

  • Following this initial period, candidates may be based remotely but must be willing to travel when required for program, customer, and leadership engagements

πŸš€ The Opportunity

A leading defense and aerospace organization is seeking a Business Segment Director to lead a portfolio of advanced national security and space mission programs supporting critical missions globally.

The portfolio includes technologies and programs related to:

  • Data networking & secure data transport

  • Cybersecurity & high-assurance cryptography

  • Mission-critical space systems

  • Satellites & embedded mission technologies

  • Secure communications & networking platforms

This executive leadership role oversees high-value development and production programs and is responsible for strategic growth, operational execution, customer engagement, financial performance, and organizational leadership across a highly complex classified portfolio.

The ideal candidate is a proven defense industry executive with deep expertise across space systems, secure technologies, avionics, cybersecurity, cryptographic solutions, or embedded mission systems, combined with strong operational leadership and business development capabilities.

πŸ”§ Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

  • Lead and expand a portfolio of mission-critical defense and space programs

  • Develop and execute short- and long-term business growth strategies

  • Identify and capture adjacent and new business opportunities

  • Drive business development and customer engagement initiatives

  • Support strategic portfolio growth within national security and classified environments

Program & Operational Leadership

  • Oversee execution of complex development and production programs

  • Manage financial, operational, schedule, and customer satisfaction objectives

  • Ensure successful delivery across highly classified and technically complex environments

  • Balance mission urgency, execution discipline, and customer expectations

  • Lead operational performance across multiple programs and business initiatives

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Serve as senior interface to government and defense customers

  • Build trusted relationships across:

    • Space systems organizations

    • Cryptographic and cybersecurity communities

    • Networking and avionics sectors

    • Certification and mission authorities

  • Communicate effectively with executive, operational, and technical stakeholders

  • Represent the business segment with senior internal and external leadership

Organizational & Team Leadership

  • Lead and mentor high-performing engineering and program leadership teams

  • Drive accountability, collaboration, and organizational alignment

  • Support transformation and change management initiatives

  • Foster an inclusive, innovative, and mission-focused culture

  • Build and sustain high-performing cross-functional teams

Technical & Mission Leadership

  • Support programs involving:

    • Satellites and space mission systems

    • Secure networking solutions

    • High-assurance cryptographic systems

    • Embedded mission technologies

    • Secure communications platforms

  • Collaborate across engineering, operations, and customer teams to deliver mission success

  • Support Agile development environments and innovation initiatives

  • Identify opportunities for AI-enabled operational improvements and efficiencies

βœ… Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required

  • 15+ years of leadership experience within defense contracting or related national security environments

  • Proven experience managing:

    • Complex development programs

    • Production programs

    • Large portfolios or business segments

  • Strong expertise in one or more of the following areas:

    • Space systems

    • Satellites

    • Cryptography

    • Cybersecurity

    • Secure networking

    • National security systems

  • Active TS/SCI clearance required at time of hire

  • Ability and willingness to obtain CI Polygraph clearance

  • U.S. Citizenship required

⭐ Preferred Background

  • Embedded systems or avionics experience

  • Experience supporting compartmented programs

  • Agile development environment experience

  • Existing relationships across aerospace and defense communities

  • Experience operating within large matrix organizations

  • Strong financial and operational leadership capability

  • Experience leading organizational transformation initiatives

πŸ› οΈ Core Skills

βœ” Strategic Planning
βœ” Business Development
βœ” Program Execution
βœ” Space Systems Leadership
βœ” Cryptographic Solutions
βœ” Cybersecurity
βœ” Financial Management
βœ” Customer Relationship Management
βœ” Change Management
βœ” Team Leadership
βœ” Defense Contracting
βœ” Agile Development
βœ” Operational Leadership
βœ” National Security Programs

🎯 Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an executive-level aerospace or defense leader who:

  • Brings deep expertise across mission-critical national security programs

  • Understands complex space mission systems and secure technologies

  • Has successfully led large organizations through growth and transformation

  • Combines strong operational execution with strategic business leadership

  • Is highly customer-facing and trusted within classified defense environments

  • Thrives in fast-moving, high-accountability mission environments

  • Demonstrates strong leadership presence, communication, and stakeholder management capability

🌟 Why This Role Stands Out

  • Lead highly strategic national security and space mission programs

  • Influence cutting-edge technologies in cybersecurity, cryptography, and secure space systems

  • Significant executive visibility and organizational influence

  • Opportunity to shape the future of secure space mission capabilities

  • Join a highly respected defense and aerospace organization supporting critical global missions

  • Strong long-term growth and leadership opportunity

πŸ“‹ Additional Details

  • Travel required based on program and customer needs

  • Director-level executive leadership position

  • Relocation assistance available for exceptional candidates

  • Candidates must possess an active TS/SCI clearance and be eligible to obtain a CI Polygraph

  • Remote flexibility available following initial onboarding period

Recruiter Summary

This is a highly visible executive leadership opportunity within a premier aerospace and defense environment supporting advanced national security and space mission programs. The position offers the opportunity to lead complex classified portfolios involving secure communications, cybersecurity, cryptography, satellites, and mission-critical technologies while influencing long-term strategic growth and operational direction across the organization.

Ideal candidates will bring a blend of strategic leadership, operational excellence, technical credibility, customer engagement experience, and deep understanding of classified defense environments.

 

Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) & Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) | TS/SCI FS Poly | $220K–$260K | Annapolis Junction, MD

Job Title: Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) & Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO)
Location: Annapolis Junction, Maryland (100% Onsite)
Clearance Required: TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph (FS Poly)
Compensation: $220,000 – $260,000 base salary
Employment Type: Full-time
Relocation Assistance: Possible for ideal candidate
Benefits: Full benefits offered
Visa Candidates: Not considered

Overview:

We are hiring two experienced cybersecurity professionals for an exciting and mission-critical government program based in Annapolis Junction, MD. Both roles require active TS/SCI with Full Scope Poly (poly must be within the past 5 years and from a Maryland Intelligence Customer). While both positions are integral to the security posture of the program, each requires a different focus, background, and certification path.

1. Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE)

Role ID: 727
Seniority Level: Mid to Senior
Clearance: TS/SCI w/ FS Poly (mandatory)
Certifications Required:

  • CISSP (Required)

  • ISSEP (Preferred or willing to obtain during crossover if CISSP has been held for 2+ years)

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement system security designs and architectures for complex, large-scale systems.

  • Lead security risk assessment and mitigation throughout the system development lifecycle.

  • Conduct system security planning, vulnerability testing, and compliance verification.

  • Analyze and implement secure communication protocols, encryption tools, and secure OS configurations.

  • Collaborate with engineers across integration, testing, and development teams to ensure compliance with classified information handling.

  • Use tools such as Nessus, NMAP, Wireshark for threat identification and remediation.

  • Support RMF, risk management activities, and IA (Information Assurance) processes.

Preferred Experience:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s in Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, or related field.

  • Experience with Defense-in-Depth principles, secure software architecture, and penetration testing tools.

  • Proficient in scripting languages and secure configuration management.

2. Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO)

Role ID: 643
Seniority Level: Mid to Senior
Clearance: TS/SCI w/ FS Poly (mandatory)
Certifications Required:

  • IAT Level II or IAM Level II certification (Required)

    • Examples: Security+ CE, CASP+, CISSP, CISM, or similar

Key Responsibilities:

  • Act as ISSO for a large-scale software development and IT operations program.

  • Enforce security policies and maintain operational security posture of systems.

  • Manage documentation for system Certification & Accreditation (C&A) and Security Plans (SSPs).

  • Conduct vulnerability remediation, IAVA compliance, and configuration management for system security.

  • Support day-to-day information system operations, network security, and audit readiness.

  • Coordinate with ISSM and other security stakeholders to ensure secure system integration and lifecycle support.

Preferred Experience:

  • 10+ years as an ISSO in complex, standalone, or connected environments.

  • Experience maintaining SSPs, performing incident response, and managing vulnerability scans.

  • Familiarity with tools supporting IAVA management, CM, and system auditing.

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 12+ years of overall security experience preferred.

Ideal Candidate Profile (Both Roles):

  • Must hold a current FS Poly with the Maryland Intelligence Customer (within the past 5 years).

  • No prior CCAs (Counterintelligence Concerns).

  • Excellent verbal/written communication skills and team collaboration.

  • Strong commitment to best practices and high-integrity security operations.

Additional Notes:

  • Both roles are 100% onsite in Annapolis Junction, MD.

  • Do not repost these positions.

  • Candidates must be U.S. Citizens with an active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph.