(Senior) Program Manager - Remote Sensing

About the Role

As a Program Manager at Umbra, you will lead a portfolio of operational remote sensing programs supporting U.S. Department of War (DoW) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers, delivering mission-critical imagery, data products, and solutions that meet customer objectives while fulfilling contractual commitments. You will manage program cost, schedule, technical and operational performance, and customer satisfaction across the program lifecycle. This role involves serving as a senior program leader for significant national security programs, developing integrated program plans, and partnering with various teams to ensure success.

Responsibilities

• Portfolio & Program Leadership: Lead a portfolio of U.S. national security remote sensing programs, managing cost, schedule, technical and operational performance, contractual commitments, financial outcomes, and customer delivery. Develop and maintain program plans, schedules, budgets, forecasts, and risk registers. Lead program reviews and provide clear assessments to customers and executive leadership.
• Customer & Mission Intimacy: Serve as the primary interface for DoW and IC customers, building trusted relationships. Engage with analysts, operators, and end users to understand mission workflows, operational challenges, and how Umbra's products are employed. Translate insights into program improvements and growth opportunities.
• Operational Execution & Performance: Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable execution of customer missions and delivery of imagery, data, and mission products. Monitor program KPIs, service-level requirements, and contractual measures. Proactively identify risks and drive corrective actions.
• Product & Mission Capability Development: Bridge customers and Umbra's technical organizations. Translate mission needs into product requirements, development priorities, and operational capabilities. Advance new sensing modalities and multi-sensor solutions from concept to operational use.
• Growth & Strategy: Develop growth strategies for assigned customers and programs. Lead captures, proposals, and follow-on opportunities. Identify contract expansion and new mission applications. Shape company roadmaps based on mission needs and market demand.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Build relationships across engineering, product, mission operations, and other teams. Establish priorities, align resources, and drive execution without direct authority.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering, computer science, business, or a related STEM or business field.
• 5-8+ years of program management or technical program leadership experience, including support for U.S. Government aerospace, defense, intelligence, or national security space programs.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance with a read-in within the past two years.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical or operational programs and cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing program financials, schedules, contractual requirements, risks, and customer relationships.
• Experience working directly with U.S. Government customers and translating mission requirements into program priorities.
• Experience supporting U.S. Government captures, proposals, and business development efforts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish trusted relationships.

Qualifications

• Desired: 10+ years of program management experience, including significant support for DoW, IC, or national security space programs.
• Desired: Experience with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and commercial Earth observation, including satellite tasking, collection, and mission operations.
• Desired: Experience working with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the GEOINT community.
• Desired: Experience growing U.S. Government programs through captures, proposals, and contract expansion.
• Desired: Experience transitioning new technologies into operational use.
• Desired: Familiarity with remote sensing capabilities, space and ground system architectures, and systems engineering principles.
• Desired: Self-motivated, adaptable, and comfortable in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Desired: Ability to travel domestically up to 25%.

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 or transit reimbursement
• Free lunch daily in office

This position is based on-site in our Arlington, VA office. The Compensation Range for this role is $185,000 - $210,000 DOE.