Director, Defense Sector

Director, Defense Sector

Job Locations US-CA-El Segundo ID 2026-1913 Category Systems Engineer Required Security Clearance TS/SCI (SSBI) Type Full-Time

Overview

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.

Role/Responsibilities/Qualifications

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 Sub
• Own capture from qualification through proposal submission; craft win themes and discriminators, align teaming and pricing, and run color reviews to a clear bid/no-bid
• Build and manage a visible pipeline; govern gate reviews, forecast probability of win, and partner with leadership on investment decisions
• Expand partnerships across the defense ecosystem; establish teaming agreements and key personnel strategies that strengthen competitiveness
• Act as Program Manager for assigned contracts; deliver cost, schedule, performance, risk, and staffing outcomes across a multi-contract portfolio
• Collaborate with external program and subcontract managers to forecast labor, negotiate FTE submissions and rates, and resolve staffing/funding/hour execution issues
• Serve as a Systems Engineering Technical Advisor on national security space programs; translate mission needs into executable technical plans and increments
• Guide workforce planning, recruiting, and onboarding; mentor managers and engineers, address performance issues, and develop talent for increased responsibility
• Champion an inclusive culture; promote diversity in hiring and help employees pursue their dream jobs
• Leverage ATS/CRM for candidate pipelines and Salesforce for customer engagement and opportunity tracking; maintain accurate, timely data for forecasts

Required Qualifications

• 12+ years of applicable experience, including 10 years in the Space community supporting DoD programs
• Demonstrated success leading business development and capture efforts, converting qualified opportunities to awarded contracts as Prime or Sub
• Proven ability to build senior-level customer and partner relationships and to shape opportunities prior to solicitation
• Demonstrated success in senior leadership roles with responsibility for people, programs, and outcomes
• Experience with USAF/USSF systems engineering and acquisition processes
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, or a related scientific/technical discipline
• Proven ability to influence without authority across technical and cross-functional teams
• Strong problem solving, analytical, and business judgment skills
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, tailored for executive leaders and technical experts
• Demonstrated poise under pressure with the ability to manage multiple, simultaneous priorities

Desired Qualifications

• Current TS/SCI with CI or Full-Scope Polygraph
• Direct experience supporting Space Systems Command (SSC) across two or more PEOs
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Agile development certification
• Experience contributing to competitive pricing and proposal color reviews
• Knowledge of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework and process improvement initiatives
  
  

Clearance & Additional Requirements

• U.S. Citizen
• TS/SCI clearance or eligibility; additional polygraph or access may be requested
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, as required
• Ability to work on site per customer mission needs; some travel may be required.

Location

Preferred 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).

Deliverable(s)

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.