A former SpaceX security manager with access to classified U.S. government programs is suing the company and a senior employee, alleging discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation.
Jenna Shumway, promoted to senior contractor program security officer after joining SpaceX in 2022, also claims that Daniel Collins—a former Defense Department official brought on to oversee security compliance for the company’s government projects—broke top secret protocols and hid the violations from federal authorities.
Attorneys representing Shumway, Collins, and SpaceX did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.
Collins Linked to Federal Probes Over SpaceX Security Lapses
Collins previously made headlines in December 2024 when The New York Times reported that SpaceX was under federal investigation for lax security practices. According to the report, Collins discouraged reporting security clearance breaches and permitted executives without proper authorization to attend classified meetings. These and other concerns reportedly led to at least three federal investigations into the company’s security protocols.
Shumway’s lawsuit claims she was denied the opportunity to apply for the director role that was ultimately given to Collins. After he became her supervisor in spring 2024, her work environment allegedly deteriorated significantly. The complaint accuses Collins of initiating a pattern of harassment, gradually removing her responsibilities over several months, and culminating in her termination in October 2024.
Allegations of Widespread Misconduct Toward Female Employees
According to the complaint, Collins’ alleged harassment also targeted other female employees. The misconduct included blocking women from performing essential security duties—potentially setting them up for noncompliance—staring at one employee’s chest during a meeting, and making inappropriate remarks, such as asking a subordinate if she wanted to “get s–tty together” over drinks.
The lawsuit claims that Shumway and other women repeatedly reported Collins to SpaceX’s human resources department. However, the company allegedly failed to act on the complaints, offering only the advice to avoid being alone with him. Shumway is seeking unspecified damages.
This isn’t the first time SpaceX has faced legal action over allegations of fostering sexual discrimination. Earlier lawsuits have described comparable patterns of bias against women and a workplace culture that tolerated gender-based harassment. The company is also under investigation by both the California Civil Rights Department and the National Labor Relations Board for related issues.
Shumway’s lawsuit was initially filed in late May in Los Angeles County Superior Court and was transferred to federal court on June 30 at SpaceX’s request. It is now being handled in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California under case number 2:22-cv-05959.
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