Strategic Defense Capture Director

Varda Space Industries, Inc.; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and

Job summary

Varda Space Industries is seeking a Capture Director to bridge Business Development and Mission Management, owning end-to-end capture for defense opportunities and driving strategic negotiations. This on-site role in Huntsville, AL accelerates Varda’s Test-as-a-Service portfolio across domestic and international defense and space markets.

You will lead Color Team reviews, conduct competitive assessments, and shape Price-to-Win strategies while coordinating with engineering, pricing, legal, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of dedicated capture management or business development experience within the DoD aerospace, defense, or national security technology sectors.
• Proven track record leading end-to-end defense captures from opportunity identification through contract award.
• Leadership experience directing cross-functional proposal teams, including engineering, pricing, legislative affairs, and operations.
• Exceptional written skills with a demonstrated ability to author compelling white papers, executive summaries, and technical proposals.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance (or the ability to be fast-tracked for one).
• Travel 25% – 50% of the time, including international travel.
• U.S. Citizenship or Green Card holder required to conform with ITAR and U.S. space technology export control regulations.

Responsibilities

• Opportunity Management: Qualify and capture high-value defense solicitations across the MDA, USSF, USAF, USN, USA, SOCOM, Combatant Commands, FFRDCs/UARCs, and commercial R&D entities.
• Lifecycle Ownership: Assume full accountability for proposals at the handoff gate, driving the strategy through proposal development, compliance, evaluations, contract negotiation, and closure.
• Organic Growth: Partner with Mission Management to execute keep-sold strategies and deepen penetration within existing accounts (USAF, USSF, MDA, DoD).
• Gate Reviews: Conduct rigorous go/no-go assessments, evaluating customer alignment, competitive positioning, and financial ROI.
• Competitive Intelligence: Analyze DoD budget exhibits to map program schedules, funding profiles, and procurement strategies.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinate with engineering, pricing, legal, and mission management to translate complex technical specs into winning proposal frameworks.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate trusted relationships across government agencies, international partners, and private industry to embed key discriminators.
• International Capture: Apply knowledge of FMS, DCS, and ITAR/EAR to secure international testbed pursuits.
• Market Visibility: Represent Varda at defense conferences and industry events to expand brand footprint.

Job description

Varda Space Industries is seeking a Capture Director to bridge Business Development and Mission Management, owning end-to-end capture for defense opportunities and driving strategic negotiations. This on-site role in Huntsville, AL accelerates Varda’s Test-as-a-Service portfolio across domestic and international defense and space markets.

You will lead Color Team reviews, conduct competitive assessments, and shape Price-to-Win strategies while coordinating with engineering, pricing, legal, and