Senior Cyber Security Engineer

Location: This role will be onsite in our Broomfield, Colorado office. 
Travel: Up to 5%
Job ID:  555

About Skyloom 

Skyloom, an IonQ company, is a telecommunications company founded with the mission to develop, deploy, and operate one of the fundamental pieces of tomorrow's space communication infrastructure to provide data transport services on a planetary scale. If you have a strong sense of purpose, focus, urgency, and willingness to compete, or if working on space lasers excites you, join our team to develop the future generation of space communication technology.

What Makes Skyloom Unique?    

Skyloom is building the orbital infrastructure for the next renaissance in global connectivity. As Earth’s first space-based telecommunications company, we deliver fiberless, planetary-scale data transport that dramatically increases bandwidth, availability, and resiliency—while reducing latency and total cost of operations.

Our proprietary optical technology enables secure, ultra-high-capacity connections across our end-to-end, multi-orbit network or within your own infrastructure, unlocking a new standard for global communications.

The Role 

We are seeking an experienced and highly specialized Senior Cybersecurity Consultant to provide strategic guidance and technical expertise necessary for planning and designing the entire cybersecurity strategy for our space-based and ground support systems. This role is critical for integrating rigorous cybersecurity principles into the initial design and development phases. The successful candidate will analyze complex defense and government compliance frameworks, tailor security controls for high-reliability environments, and actively drive cultural change through developer security training.

Responsibilities 

Compliance, Assessment, and Frameworks

• Cyber Assessments: Lead and execute comprehensive cybersecurity assessments, penetration testing oversight, and risk analyses (e.g., RMF, Cyber Mission Assurance) across the space platform and supporting infrastructure.
• Compliance Guidance: Interpret, advise on the application of, and validate adherence to mandatory government security regulations, including deep familiarity with the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) and specific application of CNSSI 1253 with the Space Platform Overlay. • Defense Standards: Provide expert consultation on the utilization of Security Requirements Guides (SRGs) and Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) to harden systems, identify vulnerabilities, and offer remediation strategies for military and government environments.
• Framework Implementation: Define and recommend strategies for maintaining the organizational security posture based on established cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF, ISO 27001), customized for space domain constraints.

Technical Strategy and Tailoring

• Flight and Ground Tailoring: Provide guidance on the tailoring of security controls for both flight segment (spacecraft, satellites) and ground segment (command and control, data processing centers) based on mission requirements and operational constraints.
• Embedded Systems Security: Provide technical consulting on hardening embedded software and firmware, addressing unique challenges such as memory constraints, realtime operating systems (RTOS), hardware root-of-trust, and supply chain integrity.
• Architecture Design: Lead the design and planning of security architectures for new space systems, championing security-by-design principles and resilient, fault-tolerant architectures.

Training and Cultural Guidance

• Developers Training: Design, develop, and deliver specialized cybersecurity training programs for developers and engineering teams, focusing on secure coding practices, vulnerability awareness, and secure configuration tailored to the embedded and space development environment.

Requirements 

• Deep Compliance Expertise: Proven, hands-on knowledge and experience interpreting and applying the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), CNSSI 1253 Space Platform Overlay, and SRG/STIG guides. • Technical Embedded Background: Strong understanding of security principles for embedded software and low-level systems (e.g., secure boot, cryptography implementation in constrained environments).
• Assessment Expertise: Experience conducting, validating, and reporting formal cyber assessments and analyzing complex security control implementations.
• Sector Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of the operational differences and constraints between flight segment and ground segment systems.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven experience in technical documentation and developers training.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Skyloom Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in Cybersecurity, with at least 3 years focused on critical infrastructure, defense, or space systems.
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CSSLP, or specialized certifications related to embedded systems or RMF/DoD

Compensation 

The approximate base salary range for this position is $132,000 - $165,500. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, equity, and a range of benefit options found on our career site.     

Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity.  Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home internet stipend! Hyperlink to specific benefits pages 

Benefits/Perks 

• We provide extensive medical coverage, including strong vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and additional supplemental health options.
• Paid Time Off Policy
• 401(k) Plan 
• Mental Health Resources
• Furry friends? We’ve got you covered with with pet insurance options 
• Legal insurance options also available

Equal Opportunity Statement 

At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all, and we strive to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.  
  
We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.