Senior Program Manager

Umbra • Reston, VA

4h • Onsite

About The Position

As a Senior Program Manager, you will be responsible for delivering exceptional products, systems, services, and solutions that exceed customer expectations across cost, schedule, and technical performance. The position requires a strong understanding of how technical, financial, and organizational elements align to drive program success, including the development of structured roadmaps, schedules, and budgets that are actively managed throughout the program lifecycle.
The Senior Program Manager will work closely with Umbra’s product management team to define development scope and ensure execution aligns with the principles of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). Success in this role depends on effective communication across both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including providing concise leadership updates and maintaining strong customer relationships. A deep understanding of Umbra’s technologies enables informed oversight of technical progress and proactive management of risks and challenges.
In addition to program execution, you will contribute to business development activities, including proposals, RFI responses, customer engagement, and organic growth initiatives. The Senior Program Manager also serves as a capture manager, leading capture strategy and proposal development for pursuits of varying size and complexity that align with Umbra’s strategic campaigns.
This position is based on-site in Umbra's Arlington, VA office or Reston, VA office (coming soon).

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience, with 5+ years of professional experience in program management supporting USG contracts or the aerospace and defense domain.
• Experience working in a cleared environment within the last two years.
• Proven ability to manage technical development and/or R&D scope and technical teams.
• Experience working with business development on USG captures and supporting and/or leading proposals.
• Understanding of Agile product development and technology development lifecycle processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• 15+ years of professional experience working in a program management supporting USG contracts or the aerospace and defense domain.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance, read-in within the past two years, with ability to pass an SSBI.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced development environment.
• A proactive learner who embraces leadership in uncertain situations, willing to take risks and gain insights from their experiences.
• 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.
• Experience with large competitive captures.
• Experience with remote sensing satellite development and/or mission operations.
• Experience working with a diverse set of U.S. Government DoD, IC and Civil customers.
• Experience with SAR and RF space payloads and their associated ground systems.
• Familiarity with SAFe, PMI or other similarly rigorous organizational frameworks.
• Understanding of systems engineering processes and system architectures.
• Able to travel CONUS up to 25% of time.

Responsibilities

• 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 Management Reviews.
• Processes: Participate in the maturation 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.
• Growth and Strategy: Take the lead in capture, developing winning proposals and creating compelling solutions. Create and implement 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.
• 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: Mid Level