Exhibit 10.1

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

This Separation Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made effective as of June 26,
2009, by and between Thomas W. Steipp (“Executive”) and Symmetricom, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

RECITALS

A. Executive serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
pursuant to an Amended and Restated Employment and Executive Severance Agreement
dated as of October 30, 2008 (the “Employment Agreement”).

B. The parties anticipate that Executive’s employment with the Company will
terminate as of the “Termination Date” (as defined below), and the parties wish
to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions related to
Executive’s termination of employment in order to assure a smooth and effective
transition of Executive’s duties to his successor and to wind-up their
employment relationship amicably.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:

1. Termination Date; Accrued Obligations. Executive acknowledges that his status
as an employee and officer of the Company shall end on June 28, 2009 (the
“Termination Date”) and the parties intend that such termination will constitute
a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) and the Treasury regulations thereunder.
Executive agrees that as of the Termination Date, he shall also resign as a
member of the Board of Directors of the Company (as well as from any officer or
director positions he holds with respect to any of the Company’s directly or
indirectly owned subsidiaries). The Company shall pay to Executive any unpaid
base salary and accrued but unpaid vacation along with any other payments
required by applicable law through the Termination Date in accordance with the
Company’s normal payroll practices.

2. Separation Payments and Benefits. In connection with Executive’s termination
of employment, the Company shall provide Executive with the separation benefits
described below, subject to Executive’s compliance with Section 4 and provided
that Executive otherwise complies with the applicable conditions of the
Employment Agreement required to receive the benefits described in Section 4.4
and Section 8 thereof.

(a) Separation Payment. Pursuant to Section 4.4(a) of the Employment Agreement,
the Company shall pay Executive a lump sum of $875,000 within thirty (30) days
following the Termination Date, which Executive acknowledges is equal to the sum
of (i) $500,000, which is Executive’s annual base salary and (ii) $375,000,
which is equal to Executive’s Target Bonus (as defined in the Employment
Agreement) for the Company’s 2008 fiscal year ended June 29, 2008.

 

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(b) Bonus for Fiscal Year 2009. The Company shall pay Executive his Target Bonus
for the Company’s fiscal year ending June 28, 2009, subject to the achievement
of the applicable performance milestones and goals established for such Target
Bonus (the “2009 Bonus”). This payment of the 2009 Bonus, if any, shall be paid
in a lump sum to Executive at the same time that other executives of the Company
receive bonus payments pursuant to the Company’s Management Incentive Plan with
respect to the Company’s current fiscal year (but in any event no later than
September 30, 2009).

(c) Company-Paid Coverage. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, the Company
shall provide Executive with the Company-Paid Coverage (as defined in the
Employment Agreement) pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in
Section 4.4(b) of the Employment Agreement.

(d) Equity Awards. The Company has previously granted Executive awards of
restricted stock which have not fully vested as of the date hereof and
outstanding stock options with respect to its common stock which have not been
fully exercised as of the date hereof, as shown on Exhibit A attached hereto
(the “Equity Awards”). Subject to Executive’s continued service, the Equity
Awards generally vest in annual increments, and the parties agree that with
respect to each Equity Award which is not fully vested as of the Termination
Date, Executive shall receive, effective as of the Termination Date, ratable
monthly vesting credit for his employment with the Company from the last annual
vesting date for each such Equity Award through the Termination Date, which
vesting credit is reflected in the summary of Equity Awards on Exhibit A
attached hereto. In addition, each stock option held by Executive shown on
Exhibit A attached hereto shall remain exercisable until March 31, 2010 (or, if
earlier, the expiration date on which such award would have expired, without
regard to Executive’s termination of employment or service with the Company).
The monthly vesting credit and extension of the exercisability of Equity Awards
described in this Section 2(d) shall be in lieu of the acceleration of vesting
and exercisability extension provisions set forth in the Employment Agreement.

3. Full Payment; Termination of Employment Agreement; Survival. Executive
acknowledges that the payment and arrangements herein shall constitute full and
complete satisfaction of any and all amounts properly due and owing to Executive
under this Agreement and the Employment Agreement.

4. General Release. As a material inducement for the Company to enter into this
Agreement, and in exchange for the performance of the Company’s obligations
under this Agreement provided for herein, Executive shall execute the Release
and Waiver of Claims attached hereto as Exhibit B no later than twenty-one
(21) days following the Termination Date and shall not revoke such release
within any period permitted under applicable law.

5. Transition; Non-Disparagement. The parties further agree that:

(a) Transition. During the term between the date hereof and the Termination
Date, Executive will continue to receive his salary and other benefits currently
provided by the Company. Each of the Company and Executive shall use their
respective reasonable commercial efforts from the date hereof through the
Termination Date to cooperate with each other in good faith to facilitate a
smooth transition of Executive’s duties to other employees of the Company as of
the Termination Date.

 

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(b) Non-Disparagement. Executive agrees that he shall not disparage, defame or
criticize the Company, its directors, officers, agents, partners, stockholders
or employees in a non-constructive manner, either publicly or privately. The
Company agrees that it shall not disparage, defame or criticize Executive,
either publicly or privately. Nothing in this Section shall have application to
any evidence or testimony as may be required by judicial or administrative order
or legal process.

(c) Return of Company Property. On or before the Termination Date, Executive
agrees to turn over to the Company any and all property, tangible or intangible,
relating to its business, which he possesses or has in his control, including
any computers, cellular phones, PDAs or similar business equipment.

6. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless for
any conduct within the course and scope of his duties as an employee, director
or officer of the Company consistent with the Company’s obligations under
applicable law and the Company’s corporate governance documents and related
agreements.

7. Miscellaneous.

(a) Entire Agreement; Non-Solicitation and Non-Disclosure. The Employment
Agreement, as modified hereby, and this Agreement is the entire agreement
between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Executive acknowledges and agrees that he shall continue to abide
by the non-solicitation and non-disclosure provisions set forth in Sections 6
and 7 of the Employment Agreement.

(b) Taxes. Executive understands and agrees that all payments under this
Agreement will be subject to appropriate tax withholding and other deductions,
as and to the extent required by law. With respect to any provisions of this
Agreement which provide for “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the
meaning of Section 409A of the Code, this Agreement is intended to comply with
the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the Regulations thereunder and
shall be so interpreted, construed and administered. In the event that following
the date hereof the Company or the Executive reasonably determines that any
compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement may be subject to
Section 409A of the Code, the Company and the Executive may work together to
adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies or procedures
(including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take
any other commercially reasonable actions necessary or appropriate, to
(i) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement from
Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the
compensation and benefits provided with respect to this Agreement or (ii) comply
with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of
Treasury guidance.

(c) Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the
laws of California, without giving effect to any conflict of laws principles.

 

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(d) Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be
interpreted in a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but
if any provision shall be held to be prohibited or invalid under applicable law,
such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or
invalidity, without invalidating or affecting the remainder of such provision or
any of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

(e) Modification. This Agreement may be modified only in writing, and such
writing must be signed by both parties and recited that it is intended to modify
this Agreement.

(f) Successors. This Agreement establishes contract rights which shall be
binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the successors, assigns, heirs
and legal representatives of the parties hereto.

(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each
of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute
one and the same agreement.

(h) Costs and Expenses. Executive acknowledges that (i) he has consulted with or
has had the opportunity to consult with independent counsel of his own choice
concerning this Agreement, and has been advised to do so by the Company, and
(ii) that he has read and understands the Agreement, is fully aware of its legal
effect, and has entered into it freely based on his own judgment. Each party
shall be solely responsible for and shall bear all of its own costs and expenses
incident to its obligations under and in respect of this Agreement, including,
but not limited to, any such costs and expenses incurred by such party in
connection with the negotiation, preparation, performance of and compliance with
the terms of this Agreement.

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Separation Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered as of the date and year first written above.

 

/s/    Thomas W. Steipp

Thomas W. Steipp SYMMETRICOM, INC. By:  

/s/    Justin Spencer

Its:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial   Officer and Secretary

 

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EXHIBIT A

EQUITY AWARDS

Restricted Stock Grants

 

Grant Date   Vested Shares
(6/28/09)   Unvested
Shares   Total
Shares 8/13/2007   24,000   26,000   50,000 8/11/2006   47,900   2,100   50,000
TOTALS   71,900   28,100   100,000

Option Grants

 

Grant Date   Expiration
Date   Original
Number of
Shares   Exercise
Price   Vested
Shares
(6/28/09)   Unvested
Shares   Total
Shares 8/25/2008   8/25/2013   130,000   $ 4.780   29,800   100,200   130,000
8/13/2007   8/12/2012   100,000   $ 5.170   47,900   52,100   100,000 8/11/2006
  8/11/2011   100,000   $ 6.880   95,800   4,200   100,000 8/4/2005   8/4/2010  
80,000   $ 9.420   80,000     80,000 8/6/2004   8/6/2014   150,000   $ 7.250  
150,000     150,000 4/7/2004   4/7/2014   160,000   $ 9.750   160,000    
160,000 6/7/2002(1)   6/7/2012   109,905   $ 4.330   99,386     99,386
8/27/1999(1)   8/27/2009   115,716   $ 5.833   57,562     57,562 TOTALS        
720,448   156,500   876,948

 

(1) Vested share total reflects prior exercises to purchase 10,519 shares from
the 6/7/2002 grant and 58,154 shares from the 8/27/1999 grant.

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EXHIBIT B

RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS

Thomas W. Steipp (“Executive”) hereby furnishes Symmetricom, Inc. (the
“Company”) with the following release and waiver of claims (the “Release”) in
exchange for the benefits to be provided to Executive amounts pursuant to that
certain Separation Agreement between Executive and the Company dated June 26,
2009 (the “Agreement”):

1. General Release. In exchange for the severance payments and benefits provided
for in Section 2 of the Agreement, Executive releases and forever discharges the
Company and each of its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors,
employees, and agents and all of their predecessors and successors (“Releasees”)
from any and all claims that legally can be released that Executive may have
against the Releasees, whether known or unknown, arising out of Executive’s
employment with the Company or the termination of that employment. Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the payments referenced in the Agreement constitute
adequate and valuable consideration, in and of themselves, for the Release. This
waiver and release of claims is full and complete, and includes, without
limitation, any claim of constructive discharge, harassment, or wrongful
termination, any claims under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the
Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the
Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act,
the California Family Rights Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act,
the state and federal Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Acts, or any
other applicable federal, state, or local law, rule, regulation or order, claims
for breach of contract or covenant, whether express or implied, negligent or
intentional infliction of emotional distress, misrepresentation, fraud, breach
of statute or public policy, defamation, or any claims alleging tort or other
wrongful conduct under common law, as well as any claim for additional
compensation in any form, including salary, bonus or incentive compensation,
sick leave benefits, vacation benefits, compensatory time, severance pay, or
otherwise and all other claims of any kind arising out of my employment,
including claims for attorney’s fees and costs. The matters that are the subject
of the release referred to in this Section shall be referred to collectively as
the “Released Matters”.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive does not release the following claims
and rights: (a) Executive’s rights under the Agreement; (b) any claims for
unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits pursuant to
the terms of applicable state law; (c) Executive’s right, if any, to indemnity
pursuant to the California Labor Code; or (d) any other claims determined by law
to be non-waivable.

2. Acknowledgements Related to ADEA. Executive understands and acknowledges
that:

(a) This Release constitutes a voluntary waiver of any and all rights and claims
he has against the Company as of the date of the execution of this Release,
including rights or claims arising under the federal Age Discrimination in
Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. 621, et seq.

 

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(b) He has waived rights or claims pursuant to this Release and in exchange for
consideration, the value of which exceeds payment or remuneration to which
Executive was already entitled.

(c) He is hereby advised that he may consult with an attorney of his choosing
concerning this Release prior to executing it.

(d) He has been afforded a period of at least twenty one (21) days to consider
the terms of this Release, and in the event he should decide to execute this
Release in fewer than twenty one (21) days, he has done so with the express
understanding that he has been given and declined the opportunity to consider
this Release for a full twenty one (21) days, and waives the balance of the
twenty-one (21) day period.

(e) He may revoke this Release at any time during the seven (7) days following
the date of execution hereof by providing written notice to an authorized
representative of the Company, and this Release shall not become effective or
enforceable until such revocation period has expired. Executive understands that
if he revokes this Release, he shall not be entitled to any of the benefits
provided by this Section 2 of the Agreement.

3. California Section 1542 Waiver. Executive acknowledges that he has read the
provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, which provides as follows:

A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or
suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which
if known to him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with
the debtor.

and that he expressly waives, relinquishes and forfeits all rights and benefits
accorded by the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542 with respect to
the Released Matters.

4. Executive Representations. Executive warrants and represents that (a) he has
not initiated any adversarial proceedings of any kind against the Company or any
other Releasee, (b) he has been paid all compensation, wages, bonuses,
commissions, and/or benefits to which he may be entitled and no other
compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions and/or benefits are due to him, except
as described in the Agreement, and (c) he has no known workplace injuries or
occupational diseases and has been provided and/or has not been denied any leave
requested under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights
Act.

5. No Assignment. Executive warrants and represents that no portion of any of
the Released Matters, and no portion of any recovery or settlement to which
Executive might be entitled, has been assigned or transferred to any other
person, firm or corporation not a party to this Agreement, in any manner,
including by way of subrogation or operation of law or otherwise. If any claim,
action, demand or suit should be made or instituted against the Company because
of any such purported assignment, subrogation or transfer, Executive agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company against such claim, action, suit or
demand, including necessary expenses of investigation, attorneys’ fees and
costs.

 

/s/    Thomas W. Steipp

Thomas W. Steipp Date:  

June 26, 2009

 

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