COMSEC Account Manager / AFSO

About Fuse

Fuse Integration is a defense technology company delivering networked warfighter communications and mission systems from our headquarters in Kearny Mesa, San Diego. Our teams regularly handle Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI), cryptographic keys, and classified systems in labs and at operational sites, under an established NSA‑registered COMSEC Account with formal SOPs and Emergency Action Plans. We are hiring a COMSEC Account Manager to own and mature our COMSEC program, working across programs, labs, and field activities to ensure that all COMSEC material is safeguarded, accounted for, and transported in accordance with national‑level policy and Fuse procedures.

Role Overview

The COMSEC Account Manager and Alternate FSO serves as the primary manager and custodian for Fuse’s COMSEC Account, including keying material, CCI, and cryptographic equipment. You will manage day‑to‑day account activities, inventories, and reporting to the NSA Central Office of Record (COR); oversee secure storage and transport of CCI and cryptographic items; and provide hands‑on support to program teams that deploy COMSEC‑equipped systems across test events and customer locations. This role is highly autonomous and visible; you will be the central point of contact for COMSEC at Fuse, working closely with the Facility Security Officer (FSO), Operations leadership, and program managers. This role will also assist the FSO as Alternate FSO.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Governance

o Serve as the primary COMSEC Account Manager / Custodian for Fuse, responsible for end‑to‑end management of assigned COMSEC accounts and sub‑accounts.

o Develop, implement, and maintain COMSEC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), and incident response procedures aligned with NSA, DoD, and customer requirements.

o Ensure compliance with applicable COMSEC directives and guidance (e.g., NSA/CSS policies, CNSSI, DoD and Service‑specific COMSEC doctrine) as well as the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) and other contract‑specific requirements.

o Establish and maintain liaison with CORs, government program offices, prime/subcontractors, and internal stakeholders on all COMSEC‑related matters.

o Provide expert guidance to leadership, program managers, engineers, and users on COMSEC requirements, risks, and mitigation strategies.

Accountability & Operations

o Order, ship, receive, inventory, and account for COMSEC keying material, cryptographic equipment, and related COMSEC‑controlled items in accordance with governing policy.

o Maintain accurate and timely accounting and reconciliation records, including required reports to the NSA Central Office of Record (COR) or other designated COR and reporting systems (e.g., DIAS or successor tools).

o Track key supersession dates, software/firmware updates, equipment status, and configuration baselines; coordinate upgrades, replacements, and destruction as required.

o Oversee proper storage, access control, and physical protection of COMSEC material, including vaults, secure containers, and controlled areas.

o Develop and oversee visitor control and access procedures for areas where COMSEC material is stored or used, ensuring alignment with NISPOM and any SAP/SCI‑specific rules as applicable.

o Coordinate and document the transfer of COMSEC material to and from field locations, partners, and government facilities, ensuring chain‑of‑custody and accountability.

Incident Management & Compliance

o Investigate and document suspected or actual COMSEC incidents and violations; prepare reports, coordinate with government authorities, and drive corrective and preventive actions.

o Conduct internal COMSEC audits, self‑inspections, and spot checks; support customer and government compliance reviews and assessments.

o Identify programmatic or technical gaps in COMSEC implementation and recommend pragmatic, risk‑aware solutions to leadership.

Training, Awareness & Stakeholder Support

o Act as Fuse’s COMSEC subject‑matter expert and spokesperson; provide briefings, training, and debriefings to COMSEC users, custodians, and support staff.

o Develop and deliver recurring COMSEC training, including new‑user onboarding, refresher training, and incident‑driven awareness sessions.

o Partner closely with Engineering, IT/Cybersecurity, Security, and Program Management to integrate COMSEC requirements into systems design, test activities, lab environments, and field deployments.

o Provide real‑time support to program teams for day‑to‑day COMSEC needs, including troubleshooting cryptographic equipment and coordinating keying for testing, demonstrations, and operations.

Additional Expectations

o Maintain strict confidentiality and protect all sensitive and classified information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.

o Work primarily onsite at the designated Fuse facility; support occasional local and CONUS travel (0–25%) to other Fuse locations, customer sites, labs, and ranges as required.

o Safely handle COMSEC equipment, including occasional moderate lifting (typically 25–40 lbs).

o Perform additional duties within the broader security and information assurance domain as assigned (e.g., support to SAP/SCI, ICD‑driven activities, or program security).

Required Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship.
• Active DoD Secret clearance with eligibility for Top Secret/SCI, or an active Top Secret/SCI; ability to obtain and maintain the required clearance level.
• Typically 8+ years of experience in COMSEC and/or classified security in a DoD, IC, or defense‑industry environment (education may be substituted for a portion of experience where appropriate).
• Direct experience managing COMSEC accounts or serving as a COMSEC Custodian / CRO, including hands‑on work with keying material, cryptographic equipment, and applicable accounting and reporting processes.
• Working knowledge of applicable security and COMSEC policy frameworks, such as NISP/NISPOM, NSA/CSS COMSEC policies (e.g., CSSM 3‑16 or similar), CNSSI, ICDs, and relevant Service or agency directives.
• Experience with COMSEC accounting and reporting tools (e.g., Distributed INFOSEC Accounting System (DIAS) or successor systems) and associated forms and workflows.
• Demonstrated experience in an SAP and/or SCI environment, working with government security offices, program security officers, and/or COMSEC authorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex COMSEC requirements to technical and non‑technical audiences and to produce clear, well‑structured documentation and reports.
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively in cross‑functional teams.
• Proficiency with Windows‑based information systems and standard productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft 365).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a small or mid‑size defense, aerospace, or national‑security technology company where you had to “build and run” COMSEC processes, not just follow mature ones.
• Experience supporting operational programs that use encryptors, secure voice products, and tactical communications systems.
• Familiarity with SAASM‑enabled GPS equipment and associated operational security doctrine (e.g., ISSI 3006 or equivalent), and/or experience serving as a primary or alternate custodian for SAASM/GPS devices.
• Experience troubleshooting COMSEC equipment in lab and field environments and working closely with engineering and IT teams to resolve technical issues.
• Professional training/certifications related to COMSEC, industrial security, or information assurance.

More about Fuse

Founded in 2010, Fuse is a veteran-owned, rapidly growing small business. Our San Diego-based company has earned recognition as an emerging leader in airborne, maritime, and ground networking. Placing the warfighter at the center of every design process, Fuse delivers intuitive, agile, and resilient products that go beyond national security requirements—providing lasting utility and game-changing results. We take pride in our brilliant and talented team as well as our dynamic environment and collaborative, creative, environment. We build cutting-edge hardware and software products that solve complex national security challenges for our warfighters at the tactical edge.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision

• Employee coverage is fully funded; a portion of dependents' coverage is funded as well
• 11 paid Federal Holidays

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Date of hire through second year: 10 days/year (accrued)
• After two years: unlimited
• 40 hours of paid sick leave per year
• 401k with employer matching
• Annual bonuses
• Cell phone reimbursement: $100/month