Program Manager
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Arlington, Virginia, United States
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 3+ years
- Category
- Project management
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, business, or a related STEM or business field.
- 5+ years of relevant professional experience, including 3+ years of program management experience supporting U.S. Government contracts or programs within the aerospace and defense industry.
- Experience working in a cleared environment within the past two years.
- Demonstrated ability to manage technical development and/or R&D programs, including coordination of multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Strong understanding of product and technology development lifecycles.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with technical teams, customers, and senior leadership.
Nice to have
- Master's degree in engineering or a related STEM field.
- 8+ years of program management experience supporting U.S. Government contracts or programs within the aerospace and defense industry.
- Active TS/SCI security clearance, with a read-in within the past two years.
- Demonstrated ability to independently plan, lead, and execute complex programs, including building and coordinating high-performing teams.
- Experience supporting or leading U.S. Government capture efforts, competitive proposals, and business development initiatives.
- Direct experience managing space industry programs, including satellite development, integration, testing, and/or mission operations.
- Experience supporting a diverse range of U.S. Government customers, including the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), and civil agencies.
- Familiarity with remote sensing technologies, including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), RF space payloads, and associated ground systems.
- Understanding of systems engineering principles, processes, and system architectures.
- Familiarity with program management and Agile frameworks, such as PMI, SAFe, or similar methodologies.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment, demonstrating initiative, adaptability, sound judgment, and comfort navigating ambiguity.
- Ability to travel domestically up to 25% of the time.
Full description
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
As a 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 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 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 either our Arlington, VA office or Reston, VA office. Key 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.