Director, Defense Sector

Stellar Solutions, a nationally recognized “Great Place To Work,” delivers engineering solutions across commercial space and national security missions - from innovative new entrants to established space systems organizations.We bring talented, energetic, and immediately productive professionals to meet critical customer needs in systems engineering and integration, mission operations, program management, and strategic planning - helping teams deliver resilient capability to the mission with speed, quality, and focus.Stellar Solutions is seeking a Director of Defense Space Programs to lead a high-performing systems engineering organization delivering critical capabilities for DoD space missions, including advancing the United States Space Force’s vision in orbit and beyond. Reporting to the Vice President, Defense Programs, this leader will steward program execution across multiple contracts, shape strategy and workforce plans, and serve as a Systems Engineering Technical Advisor on a portfolio of national security space programs. The role demands executive presence, growth mindset, and the ability to collaborate across sectors to expand the Defense portfolio and meet customer mission needs.This leader drives growth by building senior customer and partner relationships, shaping opportunities early, and leading competitive captures that position Stellar to bid and win as Prime or Sub across the Defense domain.As a mission-focused business and engineering leader, the Director provides direction to program managers and technical teams, ensuring end-to-end systems engineering rigor from concept through operations while fostering a culture of mentorship and performance. The Director leads disciplined program execution and champions proactive business development—building relationships, shaping opportunities, and converting captures to awards across the Defense domain.The Key responsibilities include:Lead business development within the Defense Sector by cultivating senior customer relationships, shaping opportunities early, and positioning Stellar to bid as Prime or SubOwn capture from qualification through proposal submission; craft win themes and discriminators, align teaming and pricing, and run color reviews to a clear bid/no-bidBuild and manage a visible pipeline; govern gate reviews, forecast probability of win, and partner with leadership on investment decisionsExpand partnerships across the defense ecosystem; establish teaming agreements and key personnel strategies that strengthen competitivenessAct as Program Manager for assigned contracts; deliver cost, schedule, performance, risk, and staffing outcomes across a multi-contract portfolioCollaborate with external program and subcontract managers to forecast labor, negotiate FTE submissions and rates, and resolve staffing/funding/hour execution issuesServe as a Systems Engineering Technical Advisor on national security space programs; translate mission needs into executable technical plans and incrementsGuide workforce planning, recruiting, and onboarding; mentor managers and engineers, address performance issues, and develop talent for increased responsibilityChampion an inclusive culture; promote diversity in hiring and help employees pursue their dream jobsLeverage ATS/CRM for candidate pipelines and Salesforce for customer engagement and opportunity tracking; maintain accurate, timely data for forecastsRequired Qualifications12+ years of applicable experience, including 10 years in the Space community supporting DoD programsDemonstrated success leading business development and capture efforts, converting qualified opportunities to awarded contracts as Prime or SubProven ability to build senior-level customer and partner relationships and to shape opportunities prior to solicitationDemonstrated success in senior leadership roles with responsibility for people, programs, and outcomesExperience with USAF/USSF systems engineering and acquisition processesBachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or a related scientific/technical disciplineProven ability to influence without authority across technical and cross-functional teamsStrong problem solving, analytical, and business judgment skillsExceptional written and verbal communication, tailored for executive leaders and technical expertsDemonstrated poise under pressure with the ability to manage multiple, simultaneous prioritiesDesired QualificationsCurrent TS/SCI with CI or Full-Scope PolygraphDirect experience supporting Space Systems Command (SSC) across two or more PEOsProject Management Professional (PMP) certificationAgile development certificationExperience contributing to competitive pricing and proposal color reviewsKnowledge of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework and process improvement initiativesClearance & Additional RequirementsU.S. CitizenTS/SCI clearance or eligibility; additional polygraph or access may be requestedAbility to obtain and maintain a security clearance, as requiredAbility to work on siteper customer mission needs; some travel may be required.LocationPreferred locations: El Segundo, CA; Aurora, CO; Compensation:The typical salary range for this position is USD $185,000 - $235,000 per year. Individual pay is determined by many factors including work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This position is also eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus, retirement plan and other benefits (all in addition to salary).Each week you will support leadership meetings, perform on contract as an individual contributor and manager, and help grow the business. Products you will produce are on-contract deliverables, SalesForce management, customer engagement reports, and drafts for yearly strategy and goal setting documents.Deliverables will also be in the format of reports, briefings, spreadsheets, or other documents as directed by the Government, using Government-approved and/or mandated systems/software and processes governed by guidance/instructions/policy or direction. The nature of this work will, at times, require quick responses to stringent deadlines and always in a high-quality, professional manner.

Created: 2026-01-21