Program Manager

Umbra builds next-generation space systems that observe the Earth in unprecedented fidelity. 

Our mission: Deliver global omniscience. 

To stay ahead of climate change, geopolitical risk, and other major crises and issues, we need a global understanding of what is changing, where, and how fast. Umbra provides easy access to the highest quality commercial satellite data available, which is an indispensable tool for the growing number of organizations monitoring the Earth. We empower our customers to create solutions that inform, inspire, and address our planet’s most pressing needs. We’re helping to create a brand new industry that has never meaningfully existed before.

We are excited to invite a talented Program Manager to join our team, supporting Umbra’s Mission Solutions business group. In this role, you will be pivotal in successfully delivering cutting-edge solutions, products, and technology, all while expertly managing cost and schedule baselines for hardware and systems development, mission services, and R&D contracts with the U.S. Government. In this position, you'll collaborate closely with Umbra’s engineering, legal, finance, and other shared services departments. Additionally, you will play a key role in growing our portfolio by nurturing organic growth on current contracts and driving the pursuit of new opportunities.

About this Role

As a Program Manager at Umbra, you play a pivotal role in enchanting our customers and users with top-notch products and solutions that are delivered punctually and within budget, all while upholding our contractual commitments. You have a keen understanding of the intricate connections required for successful program execution, allowing you to craft well-structured roadmaps, schedules, and budgets that you diligently monitor throughout the program's lifecycle. Collaborating with Umbra's product management team, you skillfully manage development scope using methodologies from the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).

Your communication skills are exceptional: you engage effectively with both technical and non-technical groups, deliver concise and confident briefings to leadership, and foster strong partnerships with your customers. You will immerse yourself in Umbra's technologies to enhance your support for customers and to effectively oversee technical advancements. Additionally, you will proactively address program challenges and emerging risks, while also contributing to business development through proposals, RFI responses, customer engagement, and driving organic growth.

Our aim is to hire this position in to work in Umbra's Arlington, VA, or Santa Barbara, CA (moving to Goleta, CA in June 2025) office.  However, we are open to considering Hybrid applicants located in the VA/DC/MD area.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Execution: Have full accountability for successful execution (cost, schedule, technical) of multiple current contracts. Update monthly financial actuals and forecasts. Provide monthly status updates to support Program Excellence Reviews.
• 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.
• Agile Development: Act as Business Owner for technologies related to contracts. Support product management and system architects on solutions engineering. Actively participate in major Agile ceremonies, such as PI planning.
• Growth and Strategy: Lead or support proposal development as requested. Define and execute growth strategies for current and follow-on contracts. Support product management in company roadmaps by being the voice of the customer on their needs.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• 5 years of relevant professional experience is required
• A STEM or business college degree, or relevant experience.
• 2 years of professional experience working in a program management supporting USG contracts or the aerospace and defense domain.
• Proven ability to manage technical development, 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.
• 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.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced development environment.

 Desired Qualifications

• 8 years of relevant professional experience is required
• 4 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.
• 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.
• Able to travel CONUS up to 25% of time.
• 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.

• 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 the building
• Free lunch in office daily

Umbra is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Employment Eligibility Verification

In compliance with federal laws, all hired persons will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) upon hire.

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position may include access to technology and/or data that is subject to U.S. export controls pursuant to ITAR and EAR. To comply with federal export controls, all persons hired must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), or must otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. 

Pay Transparency
This job posting may cover multiple career levels. To ensure greater transparency, we provide base salary ranges for all roles, regardless of location. Our standard pay ranges are based on the role’s function and level, benchmarked against similar growth-stage companies. Compensation may vary based on geographical location, as certain regions may have different cost-of-living factors. The final offer will also be influenced by the candidate's skills, responsibilities, and relevant experience.

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range for this role is $150,000 - $200,000.

Salary : $150,000 - $200,000