Director, Defense

About This Role

Lead and expand a defense-focused portfolio at a space technology company, integrating world-class, space-based capabilities into national remote sensing and space warfighting architectures. This role involves shaping product strategy, leading a high-performing team, and ensuring successful execution of government contracts.

Responsibilities

• Develop compelling strategies to position Umbra to support US space-based defense priorities
• Communicate customer needs to Umbra product architects and advocate for scaling manufacturing, operations, and technology development
• Assume full accountability for successful execution (cost, schedule, technical) of multiple current contracts, directly or through subordinate program managers
• Update monthly financial actuals and forecasts and ensure portfolio initiatives execute to plan
• Provide accurate revenue and cost forecasting and reporting across the portfolio
• Execute the program lifecycle from shaping through contract closeout
• Contribute to the development of Umbra's Program Excellence Framework for program start-up, execution, and close-out
• Contribute to the development and documentation of Umbra's Capture Center of Excellence for winning proposals
• Lead proposal development and RFI responses as pipeline opportunities mature into active captures

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI security clearance
• 10-15+ years of professional experience in program management, supporting USG contracts or aerospace and defense
• Extensive experience working with Department of Defense customers
• Experienced leader able to build a plan, team, and execute with clear ownership and minimal oversight
• Direct experience with space industry program planning and execution
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to travel CONUS up to 25% of time

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years of professional experience working in program management, supporting USG contracts or the aerospace and defense domain

Nice to Have

• Proven ability to provide profit and loss management to portfolio, including forecasting, resource, and cost management
• Proven ability to manage technical development and/or R&D scope and technical teams
• Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced development environment
• Continuous learner that is not afraid to lead through uncertainty, take chances and learn from mistakes
• Consistently takes initiative and champions causes that need to be addressed
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence to interact and empathize with staff, colleagues, cross-functional teams, and customers
• Experience with remote sensing satellite development and mission operations, including SAR and RF space payloads and their associated ground systems
• Familiarity with Agile product development and technology lifecycle processes, including leadership experience working within SAFe, PMI, or similarly rigorous organizational frameworks
• Experience working with business development on large USG captures and supporting and/or leading proposals
• Understanding of systems engineering processes and system architectures
• Experience working with a diverse set of U.S. Government DoD, IC and Civil customers

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits