Capture and Program Manager (Global)

Umbra • Santa Barbara, CA

3d • $165,000 - $215,000

About The Position

We are looking for a Capture and Program Manager to join Umbra’s Mission Solutions team. In this role, you will help shape and deliver high-quality products and solutions for global government customers, ensuring programs are executed on time, within budget, and in alignment with contractual commitments. This position plays a key role in supporting both capture efforts and active program execution while building long-term, consultative relationships with government customers worldwide.
The Capture and Program Manager will develop structured capture plans, program roadmaps, schedules, and budgets, and will closely monitor execution throughout the program lifecycle. This role requires a strong understanding of how technical, financial, and organizational elements align to drive successful outcomes. You will collaborate closely with Umbra’s product management team to define development scope and align execution using principles of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
Strong communication skills are essential, as this role involves engaging with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, providing clear and concise updates to leadership, and fostering trusted customer relationships. By developing a deep understanding of Umbra’s technologies, the Capture and Program Manager will effectively support customer needs and oversee technical progress. The role also includes proactively identifying and addressing program risks, contributing to proposals and RFI responses, and supporting organic business growth through ongoing customer engagement.
Our aim is to hire this position to work in Umbra's Arlington, VA office, Santa Barbara, CA office, or Reston, VA office (coming soon).
This opportunity is contingent upon award of a federal government contract in February 2026.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree with a STEM or business concentration.
• 5-8+ years of relevant professional experience, with 2+ years of professional experience working in capture or program management supporting government contracts or the aerospace and defense domain.
• Proven ability to define and manage technical development and/or R&D scope and technical teams.
• Experience working with business development and leading captures and/or proposals.
• Understanding of Agile product development and technology development lifecycle processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to travel domestic or international up to 10%-25% of time.

Nice To Haves

• 10+ years of relevant professional experience, with 4+ years of professional experience working in capture or program management supporting government contracts or the aerospace and defense domain.
• A proactive learner who embraces leadership in uncertain situations, willing to take risks and gain insights from their experiences.
• Proactively takes the initiative and advocates for essential issues that require attention.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence to interact and empathize with staff, colleagues, cross-functional teams, and customers.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced development environment.
• Experience leading and executing complex space or defense programs, including planning, team building, and delivery with clear ownership with minimal oversight.
• Background working with government, defense, intelligence, or civil space customers, including experience as a subcontractor providing capability to a prime, systems-level contractor.
• Experience supporting competitive captures and program execution for satellite, ground system, or remote sensing missions.
• Familiarity with remote sensing systems, including SAR, RF payloads, and associated ground architectures.
• Familiarity with SAFe, PMI or other similarly rigorous organizational frameworks.
• Understanding of systems engineering processes and system architectures.

Responsibilities

• Capture Strategy: Take the lead or provide assistance in developing complex proposals. Create and implement capture and growth strategies for existing and upcoming contracts. Act as the customer's advocate in product management to help shape company roadmaps based on their requirements.
• Program Execution: Take complete responsibility for the successful implementation (including cost, schedule, and technical aspects) of several ongoing contracts. Ensure monthly updates of financial results and forecasts. Deliver monthly status reports to facilitate Program Excellence Reviews.
• Processes: Participate in the creation of Umbra's Program Excellence Framework, which consists of documented procedures for initiating, executing, and concluding programs. Utilize insights and experiences gained from previous programs, while customizing them to align with Umbra's operational style, to establish streamlined processes for areas including financial management, risk management, contractual obligations, and performance monitoring.
• Agile Development: Serve as the Business Owner for technologies associated with contracts. Collaborate with product management and system architects on engineering solutions. Engage actively in key Agile ceremonies, including PI planning.
• All other duties as assigned.

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 in office building or Transit is reimbursed
• Free lunch daily in office

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees