Cybersecurity Specialist
Position Type: Full-time Salary
Location: In-person/remote hybrid. Preferred local in Marquette County.
Annual Salary: $72,800 - $111,800
Healthcare: Employer-covered healthcare premium coverage for employee+family (approx. $12,000 annual value)
Weekly Hours: 40 hours
Supervisor: Head of Science
Timeline: Interviews will be held in September & October 2026. Position will be filled in November 2026.
The Cybersecurity Specialist ensures the security and compliance of KMI’s internal information systems and spacecraft mission infrastructure. Reporting to the Head of Science and coordinating with the Information System Owner (ISO) and external Managed Service Provider (MSP), this role supports corporate compliance and mission engineering security. This role is responsible for researching, documenting, and maintaining security controls, providing critical support to the ISO for ensuring adherence to and achieving mandatory defense and government compliance standards, specifically NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC Level 2. Additionally, this role works with the mission planning teams to integrate and enforce cybersecurity practices throughout spacecraft development, ground segments, and mission operations.
About KMI Space
KMI Space is an in-orbit solutions company that is enabling the future by rendezvous, retrieval, and relocation of uncooperative objects in orbit. This lean team is headquartered in Marquette, Michigan, and is expanding our team strategically across departments. The work culture at KMI is built on passion for the mission of keeping space clear for all, reasoning based on first principles, continuous learning, mutual trust in professional expertise, and results-oriented work scheduling.
Key Responsibilities
Cybersecurity Compliance
Assist the ISO in the effort to achieve and maintain CMMC Level 2 by coordinating and documenting all tasks required to close the open Plan of Action and Milestones (POAM) items.
Support the implementation of NIST SP 800-171 security controls and maintain the System Security Plan (SSP), ensuring all updates are documented following any changes in the network and system environment.
Act as the designated Systems Security Officer (SSO), executing enforcement of security policies, maintaining audit-ready compliance documentation, and verifying the operational effectiveness of controls.
Support the enforcement of security practices and documentation across all mission and spacecraft development programs to ensure compliance with necessary defense and cybersecurity regulations.
Risk Management & Operations
Support the monitoring and control of CUI flow within KMI’s overall cybersecurity system.
Research and document controls necessary to restrict or disable nonessential programs, functions, ports, protocols, and services, supporting the enforcement of the principle of least functionality in coordination with the MSP.
Perform continuous monitoring activities for security controls to ensure ongoing effectiveness, reporting findings to the ISO.
Coordinate security awareness, CUI, and insider threat training for all team members.
Work closely with the external Managed Service Provider (MSP) and other service providers to ensure their access is properly controlled and adhere to CMMC Level 2 compliance standards.
Support cybersecurity efforts for all mission and spacecraft programs, assisting with the research and documentation of encryption systems for both the space and ground segments of KMI missions.
Cross-Functional Documentation & Strategy
Work closely with applicable KMI Officers and Administration Department team members to support the development and maintenance of all required information security policies, documentation, and resources.
Maintain the documentation repository for cybersecurity project-related documents.
Qualifications & Experience
Proven success in supporting the complete lifecycle of security policy implementation: from initial governance identification and planning, through execution, to final documentation.
Demonstrated ability to quickly understand, translate, and implement new, complex security frameworks (such as NIST SP 800-171 or CMMC Level 2).
Experience working with and evaluating Managed Service Providers (MSPs) for security and compliance.
Strong technical background in security architecture, system configuration, and coordinating with external service providers in a high-tech environment.
Requirements
Ability to legally work in the United States and the state of Michigan.
Ability to legally work on ITAR/EAR restricted technologies within the United States.
Availability to relocate to the Marquette County area within 6 months of hiring.
3+ years of related industry experience OR relevant degree/certification with 1+ years of relevant industry experience
Structure
Reports to the Head of Science.
Works closely with the Information System Owner (ISO) regarding security controls for internal information systems.
Works closely with KMI Officers and department heads to maintain the overall company cybersecurity posture.
Benefits
Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, mental health, emergency transport, and more. Monthly premiums are fully covered by KMI.
Flexible work scheduling: Variable start and end times, intermittent availability to work remotely.
Paid Time Off: 12 days of personal time, 6 personal choice holidays, and 6 designated company holidays, for a total of 24 PTO days plus unlimited sick time as needed.
Aggressive Growth: Salary and PTO allotments grow rapidly in successive years of employment, with opportunities for role specialization and/or management with experience.
Retirement matching: KMI will match up to 5% of your contributions to either 401(k) or IRA retirement account.
Profit Sharing & Employee Stock Incentive Plans: The success of the company directly results in further rewards for all employees.
