Umbra · 14 hours ago
Director, Defense
Arlington, VA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$230K/yr - $270K/yr
10+ years expUmbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems that empower customers worldwide with unmatched access to critical information from space. The Defense Director is responsible for integrating space-based capabilities into the Nation's remote sensing and space warfighting architecture, leading a high-performing team focused on defense and intelligence missions.
AerospaceGeospatialImage RecognitionInformation TechnologySatellite CommunicationSoftware
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Growth and Strategy: Develop compelling strategies to position Umbra to support the US' space-based defense priorities. Communicate the voice of the customer to Umbra product architects, and advocate for manufacturing, operations, and technology development scale
Profit and Loss Management and Program Execution: Have full accountability for successful execution (cost, schedule, technical) of multiple current contracts, either directly or through subordinate program managers. Update monthly financial actuals and forecasts. Ensure initiatives within portfolio are executing to plan. Provide accurate revenue and cost forecasting and reporting across portfolio. Execute program lifecycle from shaping through contract closeout
Processes: Contribute to the development of Umbra's Program Excellence Framework, a set of documented processes for program start-up, execution, and close-out. Leverage lessons learned and experience from prior programs, but tailored to how Umbra does business, to define lightweight processes for functions such as financial management, risk management, contractual deliveries, and monitoring performance. Also contribute to the development and documentation of Umbra's Capture Center of Excellence, focused on processes that result in a winning proposal (from bid decision gate through commitment review)
All other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Active TS//SCI security clearance
10-15+ years of professional experience working in program management, supporting USG contracts or the aerospace and defense domain
Extensive experience working with Department of Defense customers
Experienced leader able to build a plan, build a team, and execute with clear ownership and minimal oversight
Direct experience with space industry program planning and execution
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Able to travel CONUS up to 25% of time
Preferred
Proven ability to successfully provide profit and loss management to portfolio, including forecasting as well as resource and cost management, resulting in successfully meeting financial objectives
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 his/her 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
Benefits
Flexible Time Off, Sick, Family & Medical Leave
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD (employer funded)
Vol Life, Critical Illness, Accidental, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance (employee funded)
401k with 3% non-elective company contribution
Stock Options
Free parking
Free lunch in office daily
Company
Umbra
Cutting edge space systems—from refined mission solutions to best-in-class data
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$119.63MKey Investors
Nimble PartnersDARPAJohn Burbank
2022-12-07Series B· $75M
2022-05-22Grant
2021-04-16Secondary Market
Leadership Team
Matthew Speitel
Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
Gifts & Decorative Accessories
2025-09-17
Seattle TechFlash
2025-08-29
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