Program Manager (global)

Front Door Defense; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Umbra is seeking a Program Manager to lead government programs from planning through execution. You will partner with engineering, product, finance, contracts, and operations to deliver space and mission solutions for global government customers.

The role requires strong leadership and communication, with Agile execution and close collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. On-site in Arlington, VA or Reston, VA, with federal contract involvement.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex government programs.
• Ability to manage budgets, schedules, risks and deliverables.
• Strong leadership and communication during execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of complex government programs, delivering technical, cost, schedule and contractual objectives.
• Serve as primary customer interface, providing status updates and managing risks.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, budgets, and resource forecasts.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, contracts, finance, and operations to ensure successful program execution.
• Support change management and continuous improvement across program planning and reporting.
• Act as business owner for contract execution, aligning with Agile planning ceremonies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Agile

Cross-functional

Project management

Job description

Program Manager (global)

Lead and deliver Umbra's global government programs from planning through execution

Location: Arlington, Virginia, United States

Compensation: $165,000 - 215,000 USD / year

Job Tags: Product

About The Role

Umbra Program Manager

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. 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

We are looking for a Program Manager to join Umbra's Mission Solutions team. In this role, you will lead the successful execution of complex government programs, ensuring contractual commitments are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. You will oversee the full program lifecycle, partnering with cross-functional engineering, product, finance, contracts, and operations teams to deliver innovative space and mission solutions for global government customers.

The Program Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining integrated program plans, schedules, budgets, and risk management strategies while providing clear communication and leadership throughout execution. This role requires balancing technical, financial, and contractual priorities to drive successful program outcomes and ensure customer satisfaction.

Working closely with engineering leadership and product management, you will coordinate program execution using Agile development principles, helping align technical priorities, customer requirements, and business objectives. You will serve as the primary customer interface during program execution, providing regular status updates, managing risks and issues, and ensuring successful delivery throughout the life of the contract.

Strong leadership and communication skills are essential, as this role requires collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and regular engagement with government customers and executive leadership.

This position is based on-site in our Arlington, VA office or Reston, VA office. This opportunity is contingent upon award of a federal government contract.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Lead the execution of complex government programs, ensuring successful delivery of technical, cost, schedule, and contractual objectives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout program execution, building trusted relationships and ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Develop, maintain, and communicate integrated program plans, schedules, budgets, and resource forecasts.

Program Execution

• Monitor program performance across technical execution, financial health, schedule, and contractual compliance, proactively addressing issues to keep programs on track.
• Lead regular program reviews, status meetings, and customer briefings, providing clear communication on progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Partner with Finance to manage program budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting.

Risk & Performance Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks while managing issues and dependencies across internal teams and external partners.
• Ensure program deliverables meet contractual requirements, quality standards, and customer expectations.
• Support change management activities, including scope, schedule, and budget adjustments as needed.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with engineering, product management, contracts, finance, supply chain, and operations teams to ensure successful program execution.
• Serve as the Business Owner for contract execution, participating in Agile planning activities, including PI Planning and other key program ceremonies, to align execution with customer priorities.

Process Improvement

• Contribute to the continued development and improvement of Umbra's Program Excellence Framework by identifying opportunities to strengthen program management processes, tools, and best practices.
• Document and share lessons learned and drive continuous improvement across program planning, execution, risk management, and reporting.

Other

• Provide assistance in developing complex proposals that grow Umbra's business with assigned government accounts.
• Provide inputs to defining and implementing capture and growth strategies.
• Act as the customer's advocate in product management to help shape company roadmaps based on their requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.