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Salary: USD 200,000 - 220,000 / annual
Varda Space Industries is pioneering space-based manufacturing and reentry technologies, serving pharmaceutical companies, defense partners, and government agencies. The company operates a diverse portfolio including in-orbit pharmaceutical processing, hypersonic and reentry testbeds, and reentry target systems for missile defense validation.
As Domestic Capture Director, you will serve as the strategic bridge between Business Development and Mission Management, owning the end-to-end capture lifecycle for opportunities transitioned from BD. You will drive "keep-sold" expansion activities, continuously optimize capture processes and toolsets, lead formal Color Team reviews, execute competitive assessments, and orchestrate Price-to-Win strategies. Based on-site in Huntsville, AL, you will directly accelerate growth of Varda's Test-as-a-Service portfolio across domestic and international defense, aerospace, and space intelligence markets.
Key responsibilities include: qualifying and capturing high-value defense solicitations across MDA, USSF, USAF, USN, USA, SOCOM, Combatant Commands, FFRDCs/UARCs, and commercial R&D entities; assuming full accountability for proposals from handoff through proposal development, compliance, evaluations, contract negotiation, and closure; partnering with Mission Management to execute keep-sold strategies and deepen penetration within existing accounts (USAF, USSF, MDA, DoD); conducting rigorous go/no-go assessments evaluating customer alignment, competitive positioning, and financial ROI; analyzing DoD budget exhibits to map program schedules, funding profiles, and procurement strategies; coordinating cross-functionally with engineering, pricing, legal, and mission management to translate complex technical specs into winning proposal frameworks; cultivating trusted relationships across government agencies, international partners, and private industry; applying deep knowledge of Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), and ITAR/EAR regulations to secure international testbed and target pursuits; and representing Varda at key defense conferences, industry days, and symposia.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Science, or related technical discipline
- 5+ years of dedicated capture management or business development experience within DoD aerospace, defense, or national security technology sectors
- 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 communication skills with 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 required to conform with ITAR and U.S. space technology export control regulations
**Preferred Qualifications:**
- Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Strategic Studies, or Engineering
- Established professional network within DoD hypersonic, reentry test, or missile defense communities
- Deep familiarity with DoD Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process
- Familiarity with international space frameworks and academic research funding mechanisms
- Experience utilizing modern AI-driven capture tools and advanced prompt-engineering techniques to optimize proposal workflows
