Chief Security Officer (CSO)

About the Position

Neros is a defense technology company dedicated to rebuilding America’s drone industrial base. We are currently seeking a Chief Security Officer (CSO) to join our team in Torrance, California, United States. The CSO will be responsible for designing and implementing a unified security strategy that covers all aspects of our organization, ensuring the protection of our people, intellectual property, and production lines.

Responsibilities

• Multi-Domain Security Architecture: Design and implement a unified security strategy that covers all aspects of our organization, including facility hardening, digital network defense, personnel security, and more.
• Facility & Industrial Protection: Oversee the security build-out of current and upcoming facilities, including access, surveillance, and inventory controls to secure our production lines without stifling throughput.
• Compliance & Governance: Secure Neros’ ability to win prime contracts by driving the roadmap to necessary security clearances, certifications, and accreditations; direct the CISO and FSO to execute technical and physical controls required for DCSA, ITAR/EAR, and other compliances.
• Team Leadership: Build and run the CSO office-recruiting and managing dedicated security personnel to assist in executing daily operations-while partnering as a peer with Neros Leadership to align corporate infrastructure with security governance.
• Crisis & Risk Management: Define protocols for emergency response, insider threat detection, and business continuity, ensuring Neros remains operational under pressure.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressive experience in corporate or government security, with at least 2 years in a leadership role (CSO, VP, or Director level)
• Currently holds or has the ability to obtain TS/SCI Security Clearance
• Proven experience managing "converged" security (ownership of both physical security and cybersecurity strategy)
• Deep expertise in physical security system design (access control, CCTV, IDS) and facility hardening, ideally for manufacturing or critical infrastructure
• Strong working knowledge of government compliance frameworks (NIST 800-171, CMMC, NISPOM, ITAR/EAR)
• Experience partnering with IT leadership to secure complex network architectures
• Demonstrated ability to build security teams and programs from scratch in a high-growth environment
• Willingness to work in-person in Los Angeles, CA

Nice to Have

• Experience obtaining Facility Security Clearances and guiding companies through FCL sponsorship
• Background in the intelligence community, military intelligence, or other special operations
• Experience with SCIF/SAPF construction and accreditation
• Previous experience at a hardware companies
• Previous experience scaling companies from Series B+

We Offer

• Competitive Salary: $200,000 - $275,000 USD per year
• Equity Grants: Highly competitive equity grants as part of Neros' total compensation package

About the Company

Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America’s drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.