Director, National Security

Umbra • Arlington, VA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

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. About the Team Mission Solutions – The Platforms 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. About the Job 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 the most critical needs of national security customers. The Director drives strategic campaign development, enforcing disciplined prioritization and alignment across the business while working closely with peer Directors to ensure processes remain scalable, compliant, and aligned with evolving customer requirements and regulatory obligations. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential, including the ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams, deliver clear and confident briefings to senior leadership, and build durable, trusted customer partnerships. Deep engagement with Umbra’s technologies enables effective customer support, technical oversight, and proactive identification and mitigation of program risks. As pipeline opportunities mature into active captures, the National Security Director leads proposal development and RFI responses, playing a central role in driving organic growth and expanding Umbra’s footprint across the 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.

Requirements

• 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 National Security and Intelligence 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Growth and Strategy: Develop compelling strategies to position Umbra to support the US' space-based remote sensing 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.
• 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.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees