The RoleAs the Capture Director, you will serve as the strategic bridge between Business Development and Mission Management. You will own the end-to-end capture lifecycle for opportunities transitioned from Business Development, drive "keep-sold" expansion activities, and continuously optimize our capture processes and toolsets. In this role, you will lead formal Color Team reviews, execute "Black Hat" competitive assessments, and orchestrate Price-to-Win (PTW) strategies.
Based on-site in Huntsville, AL, you will directly accelerate the growth of Varda's Test-as-a-Service (TaaS) portfolio across domestic and international defense, aerospace, and space intelligence markets.
What You'll Do- Opportunity Management: Qualify and capture high-value defense solicitations across the MDA, USSF, USAF, USN, USA, SOCOM, Combatant Commands, FFRDCs/UARCs, and commercial R&D entities.
- Lifecycle Ownership: Assume full accountability for proposals at the handoff gate, driving the strategy through proposal development, compliance, evaluations, contract negotiation, and closure.
- Organic Growth: Partner with Mission Management to execute "keep-sold" strategies and deepen penetration within existing accounts (USAF, USSF, MDA, DoD).
- Gate Reviews: Conduct rigorous go/no-go assessments, evaluating customer alignment, competitive positioning, and financial ROI.
- Competitive Intelligence: Analyze DoD budget exhibits to map program schedules, funding profiles, and procurement strategies.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinate with engineering, pricing, legal, and mission management to translate complex technical specs into winning proposal frameworks.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate trusted relationships across government agencies, international partners, and private industry to understand customer pain points and embed key discriminators into Varda's offerings.
- International Capture: Apply deep knowledge of Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), and ITAR/EAR regulations to secure international testbed and target pursuits.
- Market Visibility: Represent Varda at key defense conferences, industry days, and symposia to expand the brand's footprint.
Basic Qualifications- Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience: 5+ years of dedicated capture management or business development experience within the DoD aerospace, defense, or national security technology sectors.
- Domain Expertise: Proven track record leading end-to-end defense captures from opportunity identification through contract award.
- Leadership: Experience directing cross-functional proposal teams, including engineering, pricing, legislative affairs, and operations.
- Communication: Exceptional written skills with a demonstrated ability to author compelling white papers, executive summaries, and technical proposals.
- Clearance: Active TS/SCI security clearance (or the ability to be fast-tracked for one).
- Travel: Ability to travel 25% - 50% of the time, including international travel.
- Citizenship: 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 the DoD hypersonic, reentry test, or missile defense communities.
- Deep familiarity with the 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.
Compensation & Benefits- Base Salary Range: $200,000.00 - $220,000.00 / year (Final leveling and salary determined by skills, experience, and education).
- Incentives: Eligible for long-term incentives including stock options and/or long-term cash awards.
- Investment: Access to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
- Classification: Full-time, Exempt.
BenefitsConsider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.
Regular Full-Time Positions:Health & Wellness - Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays
- 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
- Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
- $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
- 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)
- Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic
- Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
Financial & Retirement - Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up
- 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)
- $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
- Relocation support for new hires, if needed
Workplace Experience & Perks - Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
Benefits for Internship Positions: Health & Wellness - 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.
- $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.
- Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.
Financial - $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.
- Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible
- Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.
Workplace Experience & Perks - Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
- Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations
- Complimentary EV charging
