Alternate Facility Security Officer

Job description

Role Overview: Aalyria Technologies is seeking an experienced Alternate Facility Security Officer (AFSO) to serve as a direct operational complement to the Facility Security Officer (FSO) during the standup and sustained operations of Aalyria's classified headquarters facility in Chantilly, Virginia. This is not a succession or development role, it is a day-to-day operational partner with primary ownership of the personnel security program and shared responsibility across the full industrial security function. The AFSO will own the end-to-end personnel security lifecycle, clearance actions, indoctrinations, adverse information reporting, foreign contact and travel program administration, and insider threat program participation, while serving as the designated AFSO of record under the facility clearance. This role operates in a lean, high-trust security team environment where individual accountability and operational discipline are essential. The selected candidate will join during the facility pre-accreditation phase and will have significant influence over how the personnel security program is built from the ground up. Candidates must be comfortable operating with minimal bureaucratic overhead and strong tolerance for ambiguity in a fast- moving, classified program environment. Work Arrangement: This position will begin as hybrid/remote during the facility design and pre-accreditation phase, anticipated to span approximately 12 months. During this period, the AFSO will conduct clearance processing, DISS administration, policy development, and security education program build-out, work that does not require facility access. The AFSO will have on-site requirements at the Northern Virginia facility upon lease execution and facility standup. Key Responsibilities: Personnel Security — Primary Function Own the full clearance lifecycle in DISS: initiation, SF-86 submission, status tracking, reinvestigation scheduling, and final adjudication follow-through for all Aalyria personnel. Review and advise employees on SF-86 preparation; ensure accurate and complete disclosure prior to submission, serve as the primary point of contact for clearance processing questions. Administer the SCI access program: coordinate indoctrination nominations with government security representatives, manage indoctrination and debriefing documentation, and maintain access records across all authorized compartments. Coordinate SAP access nominations and debriefings with Program Security Officers (PSOs); track access eligibility, briefing status, and debriefing requirements per program. Administer the security briefing and education program: conduct initial security briefings, annual refreshers, program-specific indoctrinations, and debriefings for departing personnel, maintain complete and audit-ready briefing records. Run the foreign contact and foreign travel reporting program: receive, review, and document employee reports; coordinate with the FSO on escalation decisions; submit to DCSA as required under NISPOM. Identify, document, and report adverse information to DCSA in accordance with NISPOM requirements; maintain a full audit trail of reporting actions and disposition. Support the insider threat program: maintain required records, submit reports through appropriate channels, and coordinate with the Insider Threat Program Senior Official (ITPSO) on referral and disposition actions. Process and track visit authorization requests (VARs) and incoming visit certifications; maintain a current visit log and coordinate access for all incoming cleared visitors. Maintain complete, reconciled employee access records across all classification levels, network domains, and program accesses, in audit-ready condition at all times. Facility Security — AFSO Duties Serve as designated AFSO of record; perform FSO responsibilities in the FSO's absence and maintain current DCSA designation documentation. Manage day-to-day physical security operations: access control record maintenance, security container accountability, combination change tracking, and end-of-day security checks. Administer the classified document control and destruction program; maintain destruction certificates, document inventories, and chain of custody records. Conduct periodic self-inspections and security posture reviews; document findings, corrective actions, and closure status. Support DCSA security reviews, facility vulnerability assessments, and annual reviews; coordinate document production, records access, and personnel availability. Manage the key and lock program for all classified spaces; maintain accountability records for all controlled keys and combinations. Program & Administrative Support Review incoming DD-254s for accuracy and completeness; coordinate with FSO and Contracts on classification guidance questions and safeguarding requirement interpretation. Maintain the facility's NISPOM-required security management files, DISS records, and contract security documentation, organized and current for unannounced review. Develop, maintain, and deliver the security education and awareness training calendar; track completion and maintain training records for all cleared personnel. Support classified contract administration: safeguarding requirement implementation, classification guide maintenance, and disposition instruction compliance. Required Qualifications: Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility at time of hire; fully adjudicated, no interim clearances considered. 5+ years of progressive personnel security and industrial security experience in a cleared DoD contractor environment. Demonstrated, hands-on proficiency with DISS (Defense Information System for Security), must be current and operational, not merely familiar. In-depth working knowledge of NISPOM (32 CFR Part 117) and its practical application in an active industrial security program. Experience administering SCI access programs, including indoctrination and debriefing coordination with government security representatives. Experience identifying, evaluating, and reporting adverse information and foreign contact/travel incidents in accordance with NISPOM requirements. Experience conducting employee security briefings, annual refreshers, and debriefings in a multi- classification environment. FSO certification via CDSE (Center for Development of Security Excellence), current certification required or demonstrable progress toward completion. Strong written communication skills; demonstrated ability to draft factual, complete security incident reports, adverse information referrals, and briefing content. U.S. citizenship required, no exceptions. Preferred Qualifications: Prior AFSO designation of record under an active Facility Clearance (FCL), direct DCSA interface experience is a significant differentiator. Experience in an IC contractor environment with personnel holding multiple SCI compartment accesses and/or SAP accesses. Experience coordinating SAP access nominations, tracking, and debriefings with Program Security Officers across multiple programs. Familiarity with insider threat program requirements under NISPOM Chapter 3 and experience supporting referral and adjudication processes. Experience supporting DCSA security reviews, vulnerability assessments, and responding to DCSA findings and corrective action requirements. Experience building a personnel security program from the ground up, establishing procedures, record systems, and training programs in a new or growing organization. Familiarity with physical security operations in an ICD 705-compliant SCIF environment. Counterintelligence (CI) or Full Scope Polygraph (FSP) strongly preferred and will be weighted heavily in the selection process. Candidates without a current polygraph will be considered; willingness to complete one is a plus. Clearance & Access Requirements This position requires an active, fully adjudicated Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility at time of hire. No interim clearances will be accepted under any circumstances. Active TS//SCI required at time of offer; in-scope and fully adjudicated — no exceptions. SAP access eligibility required; candidates with existing SAP accesses will be prioritized. Counterintelligence (CI) or Full Scope Polygraph (FSP) strongly preferred; candidates holding a current polygraph will be prioritized. Candidates without an existing polygraph will be considered, this is not a disqualifier. DISS access will be required on day one; must be able to receive system access rapidly upon onboarding. U.S. citizenship required, no exceptions. What We Offer: Innovative Environment: Work at a cutting-edge company shaping the future of aerospace communications. Impactful Work: Directly contribute to critical national security programs and initiatives. Growth Opportunities: Expand your career with opportunities for professional development and advancement. Inclusive Culture: Be part of a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive workplace where your contributions matter. Flexibility: Flexible working arrangements including hybrid remote/in-office schedules. Compensation and Equity: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits (401(k), dental, vision, health, life insurance), paid time off, and equity options. ITAR/EAR Requirements: This position involves access to export-controlled information. To comply with U.S. government export regulations, applicants must meet one of the following criteria: (A) Qualify as a U.S. person, which includes: U.S. citizen or national U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158 (B) Be eligible to access export-controlled information without requiring an export authorization. (C) Be eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the necessary export authorization from the appropriate U.S. government agency. The company reserves the right to decline pursuing an export licensing process for legitimate business-related reasons. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Aalyria is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. About Aalyria: Aalyria is a leading technology company that supplies laser communications technology and temporospatial software-defined networking platforms to the aerospace industry. With technology acquired from Google, Aalyria is at the forefront of innovation in satellite and airborne mesh networks, as well as cislunar and deep-space communications. We are revolutionizing the orchestration and management of planetary mesh networks using any radio or optical spectrum, any orbit, and any hardware across land, sea, air, and space.