Director, National Security Space Programs

Firefly Aerospace Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Sabbatical

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Mental health services

Paid military leave

Maternity leave

Spouse leave

Family planning benefit

Dog friendly workplace

Education assistance

Stock bonuses

401(k) matching

Home purchase assistance

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is seeking a Director for Commercial & Civil Space Programs to grow the spacecraft business with NASA and other USG customers. Lead cross‑functional capture efforts, shape opportunities, and develop winning proposals while engaging with senior leadership and stakeholders.

The role requires deep knowledge of space markets, government acquisition processes, and strong leadership. A US citizenship and security clearance are required for ITAR compliance and program

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in the space industry (5+ years with Master’s degree) with a minimum of 3 years’ experience interacting with key USG stakeholders and customers
• Deep knowledge of the space and small/medium satellite industries
• Deep knowledge of Commercial and Civil missions and markets
• Deep business development, program management, and/or systems engineering background
• Strong knowledge of USG acquisition processes related to NASA programs
• Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate to senior leadership about space systems and business opportunities
• Ability to develop strong interpersonal relationships both internally to the company and externally with customers & stakeholders
• Excellent leadership and management skills
• Strong team player that is able to collaborate across all levels and functions
• Ability to manage assignment and deadlines effectively
• Ability to teach and mentor teammates to improve overall team performance
• Professional with a high degree of integrity
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic campaign & capture plans focused on the Commercial & Civil opportunities in alignment with Firefly business goals
• Develop a pipeline of Commercial & Civil spacecraft opportunities
• Develop strong relationships with key USG customers and stakeholders
• Shape future program opportunities with customers
• Develop proposal win strategies and themes including price to win, schedule targets, etc.
• Attend relevant industry days and conferences to advance campaign and capture strategies
• Develop responses to RFIs, market surveys, white papers, presentations, briefings, and customer demonstrations
• Collaborate with the Marketing team in creating product collateral and marketing material
• Support executive leadership engagement with USG customers

Job description

Director, Commercial & Civil Space Programs

Summary

The Director, Commercial & Civil Space Programs is responsible for growing the spacecraft business focused on Commercial & Civil (NASA) customers. This role requires experience with USG acquisition process, strategy, campaign development, and capture management. The Director engages with key USG customers and stakeholders to develop strong relationships, develop future business opportunities, and capture USG programs. They lead cross‑functional teams throughout the capture process culminating in proposal development in response to a Request For Proposal (RFP) and submission of a winning solution.

Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24‑hour notice and the first to achieve a successful Moon landing.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute strategic campaign & capture plans focused on the Commercial & Civil opportunities in alignment with Firefly business goals
• Develop a pipeline of Commercial & Civil spacecraft opportunities
• Develop strong relationships with key USG customers and stakeholders
• Shape future program opportunities with customers
• Develop proposal win strategies and themes including price to win, schedule targets, etc.
• Attend relevant industry days and conferences to advance campaign and capture strategies
• Develop responses to Requests for Information (RFIs), market surveys, white papers, presentations, briefings, and customer demonstrations
• Collaborate with the Marketing team in creating product collateral and marketing material
• Support executive leadership engagement with USG customers

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field
• Experience: 8+ years of experience in the space industry (5+ years with Master’s degree) with a minimum of 3 years’ experience interacting with key USG stakeholders and customers
• Deep knowledge of the space and small/medium satellite industries
• Deep knowledge of Commercial and Civil missions and markets
• Deep business development, program management, and/or systems engineering background
• Strong knowledge of USG acquisition processes related to NASA programs
• Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate to senior leadership about space systems and business opportunities
• Ability to develop strong interpersonal relationships both internally to the company and externally with customers & stakeholders
• Excellent leadership and management skills
• Strong team player that is able to collaborate across all levels and functions
• Ability to manage assignment and deadlines effectively
• Ability to teach and mentor teammates to improve overall team performance
• Professional with a high degree of integrity
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Desired Qualifications

• Educational Background: Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field
• Active TS/SCI security clearance
• Experience with USG controlled access programs
• Experience using CRM tools
• Experience generating ROM cost estimates and program schedules in response to customer RFIs, ROM requests, and market surveys

Benefits

• Unlimited PTO for exempt employees
• 3-month sabbatical for every 5 years of service
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Mental health services
• Paid military leave
• 12 weeks paid maternity leave
• 4 weeks paid spouse leave
• $20k towards family planning: fertility, surrogacy, adoption
• Dog friendly workplace
• $10k/year towards trade school or college
• Ongoing coaching to advance leadership skills
• Employee-ownership with stock bonuses
• 4% Safe Harbor 401(k) matching
• $10k bonus for home purchase in Cedar Park, Texas

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.