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Varda Space

In-orbit manufacturing with reentry return services

Domestic Capture Director

Proposal ManagementConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeHuntsville, AL, USA

About the Job

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline.
  • At least 5 years of dedicated capture management or business development experience within DoD aerospace, defense, or national security technology sectors.
  • A proven track record leading end-to-end defense captures from opportunity identification through contract award.
  • Experience directing cross-functional proposal teams, including engineering, pricing, legislative affairs, and operations.
  • Exceptional written skills and demonstrated ability to author compelling white papers, executive summaries, and technical proposals.
  • Active TS/SCI security clearance, or ability to be fast-tracked for one.
  • Ability to travel 25%–50% of the time, including international travel.
  • U.S. citizenship or Green Card holder status is required to conform with ITAR and U.S. space technology export control regulations.
  • Must qualify as a U.S. person permitted to access export-controlled technology without an export license; the posting defines this as a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.

Responsibilities

  • Qualify and capture high-value defense solicitations across the MDA, USSF, USAF, USN, USA, SOCOM, Combatant Commands, FFRDCs/UARCs, and commercial R&D entities.
  • Assume full accountability for proposals at the handoff gate, driving strategy through proposal development, compliance, evaluations, contract negotiation, and closure.
  • Partner with Mission Management to execute keep-sold strategies and deepen penetration within existing USAF, USSF, MDA, and DoD accounts.
  • Conduct go/no-go assessments evaluating customer alignment, competitive positioning, and financial return on investment.
  • Analyze DoD budget exhibits to map program schedules, funding profiles, and procurement strategies.
  • Coordinate with engineering, pricing, legal, and mission management to translate complex technical specifications into proposal frameworks.
  • Cultivate relationships across government agencies, international partners, and private industry to understand customer needs and incorporate key differentiators into offerings.
  • Apply knowledge of Foreign Military Sales, Direct Commercial Sales, and ITAR/EAR regulations to pursue international testbed and target opportunities.
  • Represent Varda at defense conferences, industry days, and symposia to expand its market presence.
  • Lead formal Color Team reviews, conduct Black Hat competitive assessments, and orchestrate Price-to-Win strategies.
  • Own the end-to-end capture lifecycle for opportunities transitioned from Business Development, drive keep-sold expansion activities, and optimize capture processes and tools.

Desired Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Business Administration, Strategic Studies, or Engineering.
  • An established professional network within the DoD hypersonic, reentry test, or missile defense communities.
  • Deep familiarity with the DoD Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution process.
  • Familiarity with international space frameworks and academic research funding mechanisms.
  • Experience using modern AI-driven capture tools and advanced prompt-engineering techniques to optimize proposal workflows.

About the Company

Varda Space

In-orbit manufacturing with reentry return services

Varda Space Industries provides in-space manufacturing by operating production facilities in low Earth orbit and returning finished goods to Earth using reentry capsules. Clients send materials or designs to Varda’s in-orbit production line, where microgravity enables manufacturing processes not possible on Earth. After production, capsules re-enter Earth's atmosphere to deliver goods back to customers, supported by in-orbit equipment and reliable reentry systems. The company aims to make low Earth orbit accessible for multiple industries by building end-to-end space manufacturing infrastructure and industrializing orbit for commercial use.

Company size
201-500
Company stage
Series D
Total funding
$609.5M
Headquarters
El Segundo, CA
Founded
2020

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