Cybersecurity Engineer

Job Title: Cyber Security Engineer (Avionics & Ground Systems)

Company: Grid.aero

Location: Onsite 4 days/week [San Leandro, CA]

About Us

Grid.aero is a VC-backed aviation startup tackling complex challenges in both defense and commercial markets. We are focused on solving real-world problems that will shape the future of the industry. Led by aerospace veterans and supported by leading venture firms, Grid is at the forefront of developing autonomous systems that will revolutionize how goods move through the skies.

Be part of a fast-growing, high-impact startup from day one. At Grid, your work will shape critical industries, driving innovation at the intersection of national security and global commerce.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Cyber Security Engineer to join our small but mighty team. In this role, you will take ownership of the end-to-end security architecture of our autonomous aerial platform. You will lead the design, implementation, and defense hardening of aircraft-to-ground communications links, secure onboard avionics network architectures, and drive the system through the Risk Management Framework (RMF) to achieve Authority to Operate (ATO).

As an early hire, you'll lay the cybersecurity foundation for the company's future growth, working directly with founders and flight software teams to ensure our systems are resilient against electronic and cyber threats in contested operational environments.

What You'll Do

• Encrypt and authenticate air-to-ground data links (RF, satellite, cellular).
• Isolate flight controls from non-critical payloads across internal aircraft networks.
• Lead DoD RMF compliance to secure and maintain an ATO.
• Write key security plans, risk assessments, and remediation reports.
• Run penetration tests, vulnerability scans, and code reviews on flight systems.
• Test security controls on hardware simulators and during live flight tests.
• Select crypto hardware (TPM, HSM) within aircraft size and power limits.

Who You Are

• Mission-Focused: Driven to protect defense and autonomous flight systems.
• Hands-on Builder: Turns complex security rules into working embedded code.
• Practical Solver: Balances defense compliance with fast-paced engineering.
• Good Communicator: Explains technical risks clearly to hardware, software, and military teams.

Key Qualifications

• 3+ years in aerospace or defense cybersecurity engineering.
• Proven success achieving a DoD ATO for embedded or drone systems.
• Strong knowledge of PKI, encryption, and secure network protocols.
• Experience securing embedded Linux, RTOS, and vehicle buses (CAN, serial, Ethernet).
• Hands-on skill with Wireshark, vulnerability scanners, and threat modeling.
• Proficient in C/C++, with scripting skills in Python or Bash.
• Good Communicator: Explains technical risks clearly to hardware, software, leadership, and military teams.
• U.S. Person status (U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder) for ITAR compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Security certifications (CISSP, CISM, CEH, or Security+).
• Familiarity with FAA/civil aviation cyber standards (DO-326A / DO-356A).
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) labs and flight test security.

Compensation: $100k – $250k / 0.1% – 0.3% Equity