About Us:

Collaborative autonomy is how self-tasking teams of machines will solve hard human problems, and HavocAI is an unquestioned leader in collaborative autonomy. We set the standard for autonomous surface vessels for a wide range of defense and commercial maritime missions. Success requires us to grow quickly, and we’re looking for teammates who are passionate about solving hard problems, about pushing the envelope, and about preventing conflict and saving lives. Ambition is welcome to apply within.

About the Role

We are seeking a Security Officer to help scale and manage our security program in support of U.S. government and defense contracts. This role will focus on personnel security, clearance management, visit coordination, physical security, and compliance support across a fast-moving defense technology environment.

This is a hands-on role for someone who understands government security requirements but is also comfortable operating in a high-growth technology company where speed, ownership, and sound judgment matter. You will work closely with People Operations, Legal, Contracts, Program Management, Engineering, and Business Development to ensure our teams can execute securely and efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s Facility Security Officer (FSO) to maintain NISPOM compliance, DCSA requirements, self-inspections, audits, and corrective actions.

• Administer and maintain the company's Facility Clearance (FCL), including all associated documentation, reporting, and compliance activities.

• Manage personnel security workflows, including clearance initiation, reinvestigations, onboarding, offboarding, access tracking, and employee security support.

• Maintain accurate clearance and access records across internal systems and government platforms.

• Coordinate with government customers, prime contractors, subcontractors, and internal teams on personnel security and access matters.

• Conduct employee security briefings, debriefings, annual refresher training, foreign travel reporting support, and insider threat awareness activities.

• Help develop and improve scalable security processes, policies, playbooks, and training materials.

• Partner with Recruiting and People Operations to ensure security requirements are integrated into hiring, onboarding, and employee lifecycle workflows.

• Administer physical security controls for company facilities and restricted areas.

• Assist in the management of access control systems, visitor management processes, badge issuance, and facility access procedures.

• Support the design, implementation, and maintenance of secure workspaces, classified processing areas, and storage requirements as applicable.

• Support a security culture that protects sensitive information while enabling teams to move quickly in support of the mission.

• Handle sensitive personal, company, technical, and government information with discretion and professionalism.

Required Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in security, personnel security, government contracting, defense security, or a related security operations role.

• Experience supporting cleared personnel and managing security clearance workflows.

• Familiarity with NISPOM, DCSA processes, DD254s, visit requests, personnel security, and classified contract requirements.

• Working knowledge of DISS and related security systems.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, stakeholders, and shifting priorities.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to support employees who may be new to government security requirements.

• High attention to detail, strong follow-through, and sound judgment when handling sensitive information.

• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, high-growth, mission-focused environment.

• U.S. citizenship required due to government contract requirements.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

• Experience supporting a cleared defense contractor, defense technology company, or government customer environment.

• Prior experience at a high-growth startup or technology company supporting national security, defense, aerospace, autonomy, maritime systems, AI/ML, or hardware programs.

• Completion of relevant CDSE training or certifications.

• Experience supporting FSO functions, classified facility operations, program security, or customer inspections.

• Familiarity with controlled unclassified information, OPSEC, insider threat, or cybersecurity compliance requirements.

• Experience building or improving security processes in a scaling organization.

• Comfort working cross-functionally with technical, operational, and business teams.

Location:

• This position needs to sit in either North Kingstown, RI or San Diego, CA
  

Ideal Candidate

You are organized, trustworthy, proactive, and mission-oriented. You know that security is not just a compliance function — it is an operational enabler for teams building critical technology for national security.

You are comfortable working in ambiguity, improving processes as the company scales, and supporting employees with a service-oriented mindset. You bring strong ownership, integrity, and attention to detail, and you understand how to balance urgency with compliance in a defense technology environment.

Benefits:

• 100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families

• Life Insurance (Employer Paid)

• Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching)

• Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum

• Equity Package

• Work / Home Office Stipend

• Global Entry

• 16 Week Paid Parental Leave

• Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend

Our Values:

• Innovation: We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.

• Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.

• Mission-Driven: We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.

• Forward-Leaning: We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.

• Ownership of All Tasks: At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.

• Servant Leadership: We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact.

HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.