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Senior Manager – Cybersecurity Operations

Torrance, California, United States
Full Time On-site

We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager – Cybersecurity Operations to join our cybersecurity operations team at Castelion. This critical role will lead defensive security operations, incident response, and threat monitoring, protecting our information systems, intellectual property, product development security, and critical infrastructure from common threat vectors as well as advanced persistent threats (APTs) and nation-state actors.

The ideal candidate will envision security to remain a business enabler and not a blocker, have deep expertise in defensive security operations, SOC leadership, proactive threat hunting, SIEM & SOAR, and incident response within highly regulated environments. Brings a practical, and up-to-date relevant technical understanding of protocols, encryption levels, patch levels, policy & procedure, etc., that are secure in the modern cybersecurity landscape.

Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to and mature our Security Operations Center (SOC) activities and ensure effective threat detection and response
  • Direct threat hunting operations to proactively identify and neutralize threats before impact
  • Lead incident response efforts for security events affecting all our information systems
  • Develop and maintain defensive playbooks, runbooks, and standard operating procedures
  • Coordinate with additional internal teams to conduct exercises that validate defensive posture
  • Design and implement defense-in-depth strategies aligned with NIST, DoD, and intelligence community frameworks
  • Evaluate and deploy advanced security technologies (SIEM, EDR/XDR, SOAR, threat intelligence platforms)
  • Create and maintain security architecture documentation and network defense diagrams
  • Contribute to security roadmap planning
  • Establish and maintain threat intelligence program aligned to aerospace and defense sector threats
  • Analyze threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) using MITRE ATT&CK framework
  • Produce threat intelligence reports and briefings for technical and executive audiences
  • Collaborate with government agencies and industry partners on threat information sharing
  • Track emerging threats and vulnerabilities relevant to defense systems and aerospace technology
  • Contribute to compliance with NIST 800-171, CMMC, ITAR, DFARS, and other applicable regulations
  • Support security audits, assessments, accreditation activities, and regular penetration testing
  • Partner with IT operations, engineering, and program management teams on security initiatives
  • Coordinate with government customers and oversight bodies on security matters
  • Function as a primary stakeholder and subject matter expert for changes to cyber controls and policies

Required Qualifications:

  • 7+ years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity, with a focus in defensive operations
  • 2+ years in a leadership or team lead capacity
  • Proven experience operating in defense, aerospace, engineering, intelligence, government, or critical infrastructure sectors
  • Experience in regulated environments (DoD, CMMC, NIST 800-171, ISO 27001, etc.)
  • Demonstrated expertise in security monitoring, threat hunting, and incident response
  • Demonstrated understanding of advanced persistent threat (APT) tactics and techniques
  • Hands-on experience with enterprise security tools (SIEM, EDR, IDS/IPS, firewalls, proxies)
  • Expert knowledge of network protocols, security architecture, and system hardening
  • Expert proficiency as both a configurator and a consumer of security information and event management (SIEM) platforms
  • Strong understanding of Windows and Linux security and forensics
  • Experience with endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions (CrowdStrike, Carbon Black, Defender, SentinelOne, etc.)
  • Proficiency with scripting and automation (Python, PowerShell, Bash)
  • Knowledge of cloud security (AWS, Azure, GovCloud)
  • Understanding of malware analysis, reverse engineering techniques, and penetration testing
  • Experience with threat intelligence platforms and indicator management
  • Deep understanding of security principles, threats, and frameworks (e.g., cyber kill chain, MITRE ATT&CK, NIST, CIS Controls).
  • Strong documentation, troubleshooting, and communication skills.
  • Ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with competing priorities.
  • Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving abilities
  • Commitment to staying current with evolving threat landscape

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Active Security+, CISSP, GIAC, GSOC, GCIA, GCIH, GCFA, CISA, CEH, or similar senior-level certifications
  • Eligibility to keep and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

What We're Looking For:

  • A proactive security professional who sees audits and compliance as opportunities to build better systems – not just check boxes.
  • A disciplined thinker who can balance security, business needs, and regulatory constraints.
  • A calm, solutions-oriented team member who leads by example during assessments, incidents, or high-pressure reviews.
  • A clear communicator who knows how to educate non-technical stakeholders without watering things down.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits And Perks

All full-time employees are granted meaningful long-term equity, sharing in the company's significant growth trajectory. We offer four (4) weeks of paid time off, ten (10) company-paid holidays, and comprehensive health benefits - including 100% employee-covered medical and strong dependent coverage, along with dental and vision plans. We also provide paid parental leave to support growing families, a $100 monthly fitness stipend to promote health and performance, and onsite EV charging for convenience. In addition, employees enjoy perks like catered meals, company-covered food during high-demand periods, and a fully stocked kitchen to stay fueled throughout the day.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

About Castelion

Castelion

Castelion is one of the fastest-rising defense technology companies focused on building affordable, rapidly deployable hypersonic strike systems for the U.S. military. Founded by former SpaceX leaders, the company is working to modernize how advanced weapons are developed and manufactured—using rapid iteration, vertical integration, and scalable production to deliver next-generation deterrence capabilities faster than traditional defense programs. Castelion’s mission centers on restoring America’s ability to field advanced military technology at speed and scale.

For job seekers, Castelion offers the opportunity to work directly on some of the most advanced technologies in national defense, including propulsion systems, avionics, flight software, guidance and navigation, missile systems, and advanced manufacturing. The company hires across aerospace engineering, embedded software, manufacturing, test engineering, avionics, cybersecurity, and operations—making it especially attractive to engineers, builders, veterans, and mission-driven professionals who want hands-on ownership of real hardware.

Unlike traditional defense contractors, Castelion operates with a startup-style engineering culture modeled after rapid aerospace development environments. Employees work closely with flight hardware, testing, and production systems in a fast-paced setting where speed, accountability, and execution are prioritized. The company openly emphasizes a builder mentality—giving team members the chance to own major projects and contribute directly to systems with national security impact.

As the U.S. military increases investment in hypersonic weapons, missile modernization, and scalable deterrence capabilities, Castelion continues to grow rapidly through major government contracts and manufacturing expansion. For professionals seeking a high-growth aerospace and defense company where they can help shape the future of national security technology, Castelion is quickly becoming one of the most exciting employers in the defense innovation ecosystem.

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