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Salary: USD 215,000 - 240,000 / annual
Varda Space Industries is a commercial space infrastructure company pioneering in-orbit pharmaceutical processing, reentry capsules, and hypersonic testbed capabilities. The company serves pharmaceutical companies leveraging microgravity for product development and defense partners utilizing hypersonic and reentry testing platforms.
As International Capture Director, you will serve as the strategic bridge between Business Development and Mission Management, driving Varda's expansion across international defense, aerospace, and space intelligence markets. Based on-site in Huntsville, AL, you will own the end-to-end capture lifecycle for foreign opportunities, orchestrate complex cross-border campaigns, and optimize international capture processes.
Key responsibilities include:
• Global Opportunity Management: Identify, qualify, and capture high-value international defense solicitations across allied foreign governments, international defense agencies, and commercial aerospace R&D entities.
• Lifecycle Ownership: Assume full accountability for international proposals from handoff through US regulatory compliance, multi-nation evaluations, contract negotiation, and closure.
• Export & Regulatory Compliance: Apply expertise in Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), ITAR/EAR regulations, and international space treaties to structure compliant international testbed, orbital cargo, and target pursuits.
• Organic Global Growth: Partner with Mission Management to execute global "keep-sold" strategies, deepening penetration within existing international accounts and cross-border defense partnerships.
• Gate Reviews: Conduct rigorous global go/no-go assessments evaluating international customer alignment, geopolitical risk, competitive positioning, and financial ROI.
• Competitive Intelligence: Analyze allied nations' defense budget documents, procurement cycles, and geopolitical threat landscapes to map program schedules and funding profiles.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinate with engineering, pricing, legal, and mission management to translate complex technical specs into winning proposal frameworks for international clients.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate high-level relationships across foreign government agencies, US military attachés, US Embassies, and global private defense industry leaders.
• Market Visibility: Represent Varda as a global thought leader at premier international defense conferences, air shows (Paris, Farnborough), and global symposia.
• Color Team Reviews & Competitive Analysis: Lead formal Color Team reviews and execute "Black Hat" competitive assessments for foreign and domestic customers.
• Price-to-Win Strategy: Architect sophisticated international PTW strategies to secure multi-million dollar contracts with allied ministries of defense, international aerospace conglomerates, and global R&D entities.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Education: Bachelor's degree in international business/marketing, Engineering, Science, Global Affairs, or related technical discipline.
• Experience: 7+ years of dedicated capture management or business development experience within international aerospace, defense, or national security technology sectors.
• Domain Expertise: Proven track record in FMS/DCS transactions, ITAR/EAR compliance, and international defense procurement cycles.
• Security Clearance: Active or eligibility for Secret/Top Secret clearance preferred.
• Technical Acumen: Deep understanding of space systems, hypersonic technologies, reentry systems, or advanced aerospace platforms.
• Geopolitical Awareness: Knowledge of allied nations' defense strategies, procurement processes, and international space policy.
• Relationship Building: Demonstrated ability to cultivate trusted relationships with foreign government officials and defense industry leaders.
Note: ITAR Requirements—Varda only hires "US persons" (US citizens, US lawful permanent residents, or individuals admitted as refugees/granted asylum) due to access to export-controlled technology.
