Director, National Security

About the Role

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 to redefine space for people, systems, and missions in every domain. The Mission Solutions team 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.

The National Security Director is responsible for growing and leading a portfolio focused on integrating world-class, space-based capabilities into the Nation's remote sensing overhead architecture. This role serves as a senior interface between Umbra and its National Security customer community, shaping product and capability roadmaps to ensure development, manufacturing, and operational efforts scale in support of U.S. leadership in space. The position leads and mentors a high-performing team spanning business development, capture, and program management, with a mission-driven focus on addressing critical national security needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop compelling strategies to position Umbra to support the U.S. space-based remote sensing priorities.
• Communicate the voice of the customer to Umbra product architects and advocate for manufacturing, operations, and technology development scale.
• Manage profit and loss, ensuring successful execution (cost, schedule, technical) of multiple contracts, either directly or through subordinate program managers.
• Update monthly financial actuals and forecasts; ensure initiatives within portfolio execute to plan.
• Provide accurate revenue and cost forecasting and reporting across the portfolio.
• Contribute to Umbra's Program Excellence Framework, defining lightweight processes for financial management, risk management, contractual deliveries, and performance monitoring.
• Develop and document Umbra's Capture Center of Excellence, focusing on processes that result in winning proposals (from bid decision gate through commitment review).
• Lead proposal development and RFI responses, driving organic growth and expanding Umbra's footprint in the national security space.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Active TS//SCI security clearance.
• 10-15+ years of professional experience in program management supporting USG contracts or the aerospace and defense domain.
• Extensive experience working with National Security and Intelligence customers.
• Proven leadership ability to build a plan, assemble 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 the time.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage profit and loss for a portfolio, including forecasting, resource, and cost management to meet financial objectives.
• Experience managing technical development and/or R&D scope and technical teams.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced development environment.
• Continuous learner who leads through uncertainty, takes calculated risks, and learns from mistakes.
• 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 within SAFe, PMI, or similar frameworks.
• Experience working with business development on large USG captures and supporting 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)
• Voluntary 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

Pay

The compensation range for this role is $230,000 - $270,000, depending on experience.

This position is based in Umbra's Reston or Arlington, VA office and requires the ability to work in a SCIF part-time.