Director, National Security Space Programs

Cedarparktexasedc; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision plans

Educational reimbursement

Short term disability

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is seeking a Director, National Security Space Programs to lead capture and campaign efforts with USG customers, including NASA programs. You will guide cross-functional teams through the capture process, shaping opportunities from initial contact to winning proposals.

The role requires deep knowledge of space markets, strong leadership, and the ability to engage senior USG stakeholders while ensuring compliant, cost-effective solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field.
• 8+ years in space industry; 5+ with Master’s; 3+ interacting with USG stakeholders/customers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic campaign & capture plans for Commercial & Civil opportunities in alignment with Firefly goals.
• Build a pipeline of spacecraft opportunities and relationships with USG customers.
• Shape future program opportunities with customers and develop proposal win strategies.
• Develop responses to RFIs, market surveys, white papers, and customer demonstrations.
• Collaborate with Marketing to create product collateral and marketing material.
• Support executive leadership engagement with USG customers.

Skills

Space industry knowledge

Commercial & Civil missions

Business development & capture

USG acquisition processes

Leadership

Executive communication

Interpersonal relationships

Security clearance

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Business

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

CRM tools

Job description

Director, National Security Space Programs

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

About the role

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 a Request For Proposal (RFP) and submission of a winning solution.

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

Expertise

• 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
• U.S. citizenship required

Desired Qualifications

Educational Background: Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Expertise

• 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

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.

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.