Director, Defense

Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems, from sensors to spacecraft, that empower customers worldwide with unmatched access to critical information from space. Our mission is simple and ambitious: redefine space—for people, systems, and missions in every domain. Umbra’s ecosystem operates through three business units:
Remote Sensing (the data), Space Systems (the components), and Mission Solutions (the platforms). Together, our teams develop capabilities that deliver persistent access, resilient performance, and mission-ready solutions, advancing U.S. space leadership while keeping the world safe and informed.

Mission Solutions builds on Umbra’s expertise in remote sensing and spacecraft operations to engineer platforms purpose-built for U.S. and allied defense and intelligence missions. Whether it’s a custom payload, a full-stack spacecraft, or the infrastructure behind an entire constellation, our team delivers secure, resilient systems tailored to exacting requirements and built on timelines that match the urgency of the mission.

If you want to work on cutting-edge space technology that’s redefining what’s possible in space platforms, you belong here at Umbra.

The Defense Director is responsible for growing and leading a portfolio focused on integrating world-class, space-based capabilities into the Nation’s remote sensing and space war fighting architecture. This role serves as a key interface between Umbra and its government customer community, shaping product strategy and roadmap priorities to ensure development, manufacturing, and operational capabilities scale to support U.S. leadership in space.

The position leads the build‑out and mentorship of a high‑performing team spanning business development, capture, and program management, with a focus on addressing the most critical mission needs of DoD and IC customers. The Director drives strategic campaign development, enforcing disciplined prioritization and alignment across the business, while partnering closely with peer Directors to ensure processes are scalable, compliant, and responsive to evolving customer and regulatory requirements.

Success in this role requires exceptional communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to engage effectively with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, deliver clear and confident briefings to senior leadership, and cultivate strong, trusted customer partnerships. A deep engagement with Umbra’s technologies enables effective customer support, technical oversight, and proactive identification of program risks and challenges.

As pipeline opportunities mature into active captures, the Defense Director leads proposal development and RFI responses, playing a central role in driving organic growth and expanding Umbra’s presence within the defense and national security space.

Our aim is to hire this position to work in Umbra's Reston or Arlington, VA office and will require the ability to work in a SCIF part‑time.

• 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…