Director, Defense

About Umbra

Umbra is a U.S.-based space technology company creating advanced solutions ranging from sensors to spacecraft. Its work helps customers access mission-critical information from space with speed, resilience, and precision. The company’s broader goal is to push space capabilities forward across people, systems, and missions in multiple domains. Umbra operates through three business lines: Remote Sensing, Space Systems, and Mission Solutions.

About the Team

Mission Solutions, focused on the platform layer, uses Umbra’s experience in remote sensing and spacecraft operations to design secure systems for U.S. and allied defense and intelligence missions. The team develops custom payloads, full spacecraft stacks, and the infrastructure needed for entire constellations, with solutions built for demanding requirements and urgent timelines.

Role Summary

The Director, Defense will own and expand a portfolio centered on bringing space-based capabilities into the nation’s remote sensing and space warfighting architecture. This leader will act as a major point of contact for government customers, influence product direction and roadmap planning, and help ensure the company’s development, manufacturing, and operational capacity can scale in support of U.S. space leadership.

This role also involves building, guiding, and mentoring a strong team across business development, capture, and program management. The Director will drive strategic campaign planning, keep priorities tightly aligned, and work closely with peer leaders to maintain scalable, compliant, and customer-responsive processes. Strong communication, collaboration, and briefing skills are essential, along with the ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical audiences and build trusted customer relationships.

A strong understanding of Umbra’s technologies is important for customer support, technical oversight, and early identification of program risks. As opportunities progress into active captures, this role will lead proposal creation and responses to RFIs, helping drive organic growth in the defense and national security market. The position is intended for Umbra’s Reston or Arlington, VA office and requires part-time work in a SCIF.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and advance growth strategies that position Umbra to support U.S. space defense priorities, while translating customer needs back to product architects and advocating for scalable manufacturing, operations, and technology development.
• Own portfolio performance across cost, schedule, and technical delivery for multiple active contracts, either directly or through program managers.
• Prepare monthly financial actuals and forecasts, maintain accurate revenue and cost reporting, and make sure all portfolio initiatives stay on plan.
• Manage the full program lifecycle, from shaping and execution through contract closeout.
• Help design and document Umbra’s Program Excellence Framework, including practical processes for startup, execution, risk control, financial management, contractual delivery, performance tracking, and closeout.
• Support the creation and rollout of the Capture Center of Excellence, including bid decision gates, commitment reviews, and the process discipline needed to produce winning proposals.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Requirements

• An active TS/SCI security clearance.
• 10–15+ years of professional experience in program management within U.S. government contracting or the aerospace and defense sector.
• Deep hands-on experience supporting Department of Defense customers.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to build plans, assemble teams, and deliver results with limited oversight.
• Direct background in planning and executing space industry programs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel within the continental U.S. up to 25% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing profit and loss for a portfolio, including forecasting, staffing, and cost control to meet financial goals.
• Background leading technical development and/or R&D efforts and technical teams.
• Comfort operating in a fast-moving, changing development environment.
• A learning mindset with the confidence to lead through ambiguity, take calculated risks, and learn from setbacks.
• Self-starter who proactively identifies issues and drives them forward.
• Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to work well with employees, peers, cross-functional teams, and customers.
• Experience with remote sensing satellite development and mission operations, including SAR and RF payloads and related ground systems.
• Familiarity with Agile development and technology lifecycle methods, including leadership in SAFe, PMI, or similar structured frameworks.
• Experience supporting large U.S. government captures and contributing to or leading proposals.
• Working knowledge of systems engineering practices and system architectures.
• Experience working with a broad range of U.S. Government DoD, IC, and civil customers.

Benefits

• Flexible time off, along with sick leave and family and medical leave.
• Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, and short-term disability coverage.
• Employee-paid voluntary life, critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity, and pet insurance.
• 401(k) plan with a 3% company contribution that is not dependent on employee deferrals.
• Stock options.
• Free parking.
• Free daily lunch in the office.

Additional Information

Umbra is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

U.S. citizenship is required for positions tied to an active U.S. government security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

All hired employees must complete Form I-9 to verify identity and work authorization in the United States.

This role may involve access to technology or data controlled under ITAR and EAR. To comply with export control rules, candidates must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce authorizations.

The posted compensation range may apply to more than one career level. Base pay is benchmarked against similar growth-stage companies and can vary by location, skills, responsibilities, and experience. Final compensation will reflect the selected candidate’s background and fit for the role.

This role is designed for Umbra’s Reston or Arlington, Virginia office and requires the ability to work in a SCIF part-time.