Security Clearance Manager

Intuitive Machines is an innovative space company focused on making cislunar space accessible. We support science, exploration, communications, and economic progress from Earth to the Moon and beyond.

About the role

The Security Clearance Manager reports to the Director of Security and coordinates with other FSOs to maintain and elevate Intuitive Machines' overall security program. The role involves managing personnel security clearances, visit authorizations, employee security training, and the Insider Threat Program.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of personnel security clearances (Secret, Top Secret, SCI) for employees and contractors.
• Process initial investigations, periodic reinvestigations, and upgrades through DISS, NBIS, e-QIP, and other systems.
• Maintain accurate tracking, reporting, and reciprocity across IC, DoD, and NASA sponsors.
• Oversee visit authorization requests, foreign visit disclosures, and classified visit certifications.
• Carefully coordinate with government sponsors and facilities to enable seamless mission support and customer engagements.
• Deliver comprehensive security education programs, including initial briefing, annual refresher training, counterintelligence awareness, and specialized training for handling classified information.
• Promote a strong security culture across a distributed workforce.
• Act as the Insider Threat Personnel Senior Official (ITPSO) for the DC/Maryland area. Integrate multidisciplinary elements (HR, legal, IT security, behavioral analysis) for early detection, assessment, and mitigation of potential insider risks while protecting privacy and civil liberties.
• Ensure adherence to NISPOM, ICDs, DoD 5200 series, NASA personnel security directives, SEADs, and other relevant policies.
• Support Facility Clearance (FCL) requirements and prepare for audits and inspections.
• Integrate personnel security processes for multiple Intuitive Machines sites and acquired entities to support due diligence.
• Scale the program to accommodate rapid hiring and international expansion.
• Serve as the primary interface with DCSA, DoD CAF, NASA security offices, IC agencies, and contracting officers in the national capital regions.
• Provide regular reporting to executive leadership and program teams on clearance status, program health, and risk posture.
• Leverage automation and best practices to streamline workflows in a high-growth environment, reducing processing times while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and compliance.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in personnel security, managing personnel security programs for government contractors.
• Deep specialized experience working with the Intelligence Community (IC), DoD, and NASA security environments.
• Expert knowledge of clearance processing systems (DISS, NBIS, e-QIP), NISPOM, ICD 704/705, SEAD 4/6, insider threat requirements (EO 13587, NIST), and NASA personnel security policies.
• Proven success building or maturing an Insider Threat Program.
• A strong understanding of industrial security, facility clearances, and visit authorization processes.
• Experience supporting classified space or aerospace programs is highly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Intelligence Studies, or a related field; advanced degree or relevant certifications preferred.
• US citizenship required; active Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (and recent polygraph preferred).
• FSO Program Management for Processing Facilities and Insider Threat Program Management certifications are required before start date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Thrives in a fast-paced, ambiguous NewSpace environment and has experience scaling security programs in high-growth companies.
• Excellent communicator who can translate complex security requirements into actionable guidance for engineers, program managers, and executives.
• Collaborative team member with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Passion for space innovation and supporting missions that expand humanity's presence in space.