Classified Security Architect

The posting, as Nominal wrote it

About Nominal

Engineers today are building some of the most ambitious machines humanity has ever seen. They should have AI that’s purpose-built for them.

Nominal is building the Hardware Intelligence Platform that gives engineers increased visibility into complex physical systems, helps them make better decisions, and ultimately gets their products into the real world faster. It brings together the systems, data, intelligence, and applications hardware engineering requires to meet the AI moment. Hardware engineering teams use Nominal to simulate, test, manufacture, and operate the physical systems that keep the world moving, from spacecraft and autonomous vehicles to next-generation energy systems and robotics.

Our customers span aerospace, defense, manufacturing, transportation, energy, and robotics. They include Anduril, Shield AI, Wisk Aero, Pratt Miller Motorsports, Antares, and Shinkei Systems, amongst others, alongside programs within the U.S. Air Force and Navy. Our team draws from SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, Applied Intuition, Tesla, and other leading companies, united by a common mission: giving hardware engineers the tools to build the future with speed, safety, and confidence. We're a fast-moving team that owns problems end-to-end, works across disciplines, and thrives at the intersection of hardware and software.

Some of the world’s leading technology investors, including Sequoia, Lightspeed, Founders Fund, General Catalyst, Lux Capital, and Insight Partners, are backing Nominal’s ambition to change how machines are built and operated. We’re looking for teammates who want to take on hard problems and help make a new generation of world-changing hardware possible.

🚀 About the role

The Classified Security Architect leads security architecture and technical authorization readiness for Nominal’s classified deployments, with particular emphasis on Special Access Program (SAP) environments. You’ll translate customer security requirements into deployable architectures, engineering controls, and the technical evidence needed to obtain and maintain authorizations.

You’ll work directly with government security stakeholders and partner with Engineering, Platform Security, DevSecOps, and Deployability to resolve technical security challenges, establish repeatable deployment patterns, and speed delivery into highly restricted environments. Engineering owns technical implementation. This role owns classified security architecture requirements, technical design guidance, and coordination of technical authorization deliverables, and it calls for hands-on classified deployment expertise, not only accreditation process experience.

🚀 What you’ll do

• Define security architectures and technical requirements for classified deployments, including SAP environments and other highly restricted customer environments.
• Translate customer security requirements, NIST 800-53 controls, applicable CNSSI overlays, STIGs, and program-specific constra

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U.S. TS/SCI security clearance, in order to meet U.S. regulatory eligibility requirements for the access to classified information associated with this role.

⚡ Skills that supercharge us

• Direct experience with SAP deployment architectures, program-specific security requirements, and authorization processes.
• Experience obtaining and maintaining ATOs across multiple classified programs or customer environments.
• Experience with Kubernetes, containerized infrastructure, and modern DevSecOps practices in restricted or disconnected environments.
• Government-side accreditation, security engineering, or assessment experience.
• Experience establishing reusable security architectures and control implementations across multiple deployments.
• Relevant security certifications, such as CISSP, GIAC, or equivalent technical credentials.

✨ Benefits/Perks

• 🏥 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 🏖️ Unlimited PTO and sick leave
• 🍽️ Free lunch, snacks, and coffee
• 🚀 Professional Development Stipend
• 🛠️ In-office hardware lab with a $250 project stipend
• ✈️ Annual company retreat
• 👶 12 weeks parental leave
• 🌱 Fertility and family planning ($15,000 lifetime)
• 💪 Wellness stipend ($100/month)
• 🛠️ $500/year hardware sensor stipend
• 💼 401(k)
• 📈 Employee-friendly equity terms
• 🏢 In-office 5 days per week

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .

Compensation
The base pay range for this role is $208,000 – $255,000 per year.