Former SpaceX Security Manager Sues Company for Discrimination and Harassment
A former SpaceX security manager, who had access to sensitive information on U.S. government programs, has filed a lawsuit against the company and a senior employee for alleged discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation.
Jenna Shumway, who was promoted to Senior Contractor Program Security Officer in 2022, claims that the senior employee, Daniel Collins, violated top-secret protocols and concealed this information from the government.
Collins came under scrutiny in December 2024 when reports emerged that SpaceX was being reviewed for security protocol violations. Allegations against Collins included discouraging reporting security clearance violations and allowing executives without proper clearances into classified meetings.
Shumway alleges that she was passed over for a director position that Collins ultimately obtained without being given the chance to apply for it. She claims that her work environment drastically changed when Collins became her superior, leading to harassment and ultimately her termination in October 2024.
The lawsuit also alleges that Collins harassed other female employees, including preventing them from performing required security work and making inappropriate comments and gestures.
Despite repeated reports to SpaceX Human Resources, the company allegedly ignored complaints against Collins and failed to take appropriate action. Shumway is seeking unspecified damages for the alleged discrimination and harassment.
This is not the first time SpaceX has faced lawsuits over gender discrimination claims. Previous cases have highlighted a pattern of bias against female employees and a hostile work environment that enables harassment. The company is currently under investigation by the California Civil Rights Department and the National Labor Relations Board for similar allegations.
The lawsuit was initially filed in late May in Los Angeles County Superior Court but was later moved to federal court at SpaceX’s request. It is now pending in the federal Central District of California court under case number 2:22-cv-05959.
