[All remote jobs](https://jobicy.com/jobs.md)[![Defense Unicorns logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2025/06/44a44784-221-1.png)](https://jobicy.com/company/defense-unicorns.md)[Defense Unicorns](https://jobicy.com/company/defense-unicorns.md) # Mission Director – Space AI Summary Defense Unicorns is seeking a quota-carrying Mission Director to build, shape, close, and deliver Space Force business, with particular focus on Space Systems Command. The role combines federal business development, capture, proposal and contract negotiation, program execution, and portfolio ownership. The successful candidate will manage delivery outcomes, staffing, margins, customer retention, and growth while eventually leading program and delivery leaders. It requires deep familiarity with defense acquisition and Space Force stakeholders, plus technical fluency in cloud-native software delivery and DevSecOps. Regular customer travel of approximately 25–40% is required.[Apply for this job](#job-application)[View company](https://jobicy.com/company/defense-unicorns.md)ShareRemote from[USA](https://jobicy.com/job-region/usa.md)SalaryUSD 145k–185k / yrDepartment[Sales](https://jobicy.com/categories/seller.md)EmploymentFull TimeExperienceDirectorPublished7 Nov 2026Apply before7 Dec 2026Listing views33Application actions3Application toolkit ## Make your next move. Prepare your resume, explore your fit, and draft a cover letter for this opportunity. Opportunity details ## About this role. ### This position offers a base salary of $145,000 – $185,000. (Total on-target earnings of $290,000 to $370,000) ### Role Description: The Mission Director is a quota-carrying, full-lifecycle business owner responsible for identifying, shaping, closing, and executing new business within the Space Force, with a focus on Space Systems Command (SSC). You will build trusted relationships with Mission Heroes (our customers), identify meaningful problems, shape solutions using [Defense Unicorns](https://jobicy.com/company/defense-unicorns.md) products, and lead opportunities from initial discovery through contract award. Once awarded, you will remain accountable for the contract throughout its lifecycle, including cost, schedule, performance, staffing, margin, and customer satisfaction. This role is designed for someone who wants broad ownership. As the portfolio grows in size and complexity, you will increasingly lead through program managers and delivery leaders while retaining accountability for portfolio outcomes. ### Responsibilities: The listed responsibilities are not exhaustive and additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the evolving needs of the organization. We are seeking a dynamic individual who is able to adapt and take on new responsibilities as they arise. 1. Build the Business * Identify and develop net-new Space Force and build trusted relationships with Mission Heroes and key stakeholders. * Own a quota and grow a diversified portfolio of business. 2. Shape and Close Opportunities * Define customer problems, scope, and desired outcomes to shape solutions using Defense Unicorns products and the right acquisition approach. * Lead opportunities through proposal, negotiation, and contract award. 3. Own Contract Execution * Serve as the program leader for new contracts you close, with direct responsibility for execution until the portfolio reaches the scale where additional program management support is warranted. * Manage delivery risks, scope changes, and mission outcomes. 4. Build and Lead the Team * Define and build the team required to execute each contract. Personally lead contract execution and, as the portfolio grows, lead program managers and other delivery leaders across the portfolio. 5. Grow the Portfolio * Maintain an active pipeline and continue developing new opportunities while executing existing contracts by identifying follow-on work, expansions, and adjacent opportunities. * Own customer retention, portfolio growth, and gross margin. * Grow from individual contract ownership into a broader portfolio leadership role. ### Candidates located near Space Force customer and acquisition hubs, particularly Los Angeles or Huntsville, are preferred. These locations are not required; candidates in other locations will be considered. ### Ability to travel approximately 25–40%, including regular travel to customer locations, is required. ### Preferred Experience and Qualifications: * Experience within the Space Force, or a closely related defense environment. * Strong understanding of the culture, mission, stakeholders, and terminology within the domain you support. * Experience in one or more of the following: military operations, government program management, acquisition, contracting, business development, or defense industry program leadership. * Working knowledge of federal acquisition, including contract vehicles, acquisition strategies, and contract negotiations. * Strong commercial judgment and comfort owning revenue-generating activities. * Demonstrated ability to lead teams and hold accountability for outcomes. * Willingness to operate across business development, contracting, staffing, and execution, personally driving critical work while building and leading the teams required to scale. * Comfortable operating with ambiguity, identifying opportunities, and creating a path forward without a predefined playbook. * Technical fluency sufficient to understand and communicate Defense Unicorns products, cloud-native technologies, DevSecOps, Kubernetes, and modern software delivery concepts. ### Who We Are Defense Unicorns delivers mission value by streamlining software delivery so our customers can focus on the most important challenges. We share a vision of freedom and security for the advancement of progress and innovation. Our commitment to this vision, and to our mission-driven customers, means a commitment to speed, user experience and optionality, without compromising security. Our team is composed of innovators, software engineers, and veterans with decades of experience delivering technology programs across the federal market. ### What We Do We create and deliver secure solutions for continuous software integration and delivery. Defense Unicorns consolidates the best practices for security pipelines, testing, and deployment automation in order to meet the high security requirements valued by mission owners. Our solutions are agnostic by design and we believe that growing a robust ecosystem of secure, cloud-native software solutions can help enterprise customers inside and outside the federal market buy and integrate software more easily. ### Who We Serve Defense Unicorns’ customers are mission-focused leaders across public and private enterprises. We proudly support defense and civil agencies across the U.S. government and we work closely with the creators of leading-edge software solutions to deliver value to the mission-owner by improving the security and consumability of commercial software products. ### What We Work On * Kubernetes * Cloud Environments (AWS/GCP and Azure) * Infrastructure-as-code (like Terraform/Pulumi) * Continuous Delivery and automation tooling * GitOps * Containers * CNCF projects and open source products and packages * Helm/Kustomize-Value Stream Mapping * Building and improving security delivery * Building Kubernetes and cloud native applications ### Benefits Our Unicorns Enjoy ### Health: * Medical/Dental/Vision * Premiums are 100% Company Paid * Health Savings Account * Life Insurance * Disability Insurance ### Financial: * 401k Retirement Plan * Company Stock Options * Home Office Budget ### Leave: * We offer all full-time Unicorns Flexible Time Off (FTO) plus all Federal Holidays, one week for Thanksgiving, and two weeks for Christmas and New Year’s * Paid Parental Leave ### Learning: * Reimbursement for approved trainings/subscriptions * Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees) Don’t have all the preferred experience or qualifications? Studies show that underrepresented groups like women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they don’t meet every requirement listed. At Defense Unicorns, we’re committed to diversity. If you’re enthusiastic about the role but don’t match every criteria, we encourage you to apply. You could be the perfect fit for this or another role! Defense Unicorns is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. [CCPA DISCLOSURE](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DzT00w2uadYw9TfdorHuEsvPccZvn_g4/view?usp=drive_link) Show more [Apply now >](https://jobicy.com/jobs/159569-mission-director-space.md) * ![Upload CV](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ### Upload your resume now To unlock remote work opportunities and be discovered by global employers. This job listing has been manually reviewed by the Jobicy Trust & Safety Team for compliance with our posting guidelines, including verification of the company's legitimacy, accuracy of job details, clarity of remote work policy, and absence of misleading or fraudulent content. ## Role DNA A quick view of the complexity, pace, ownership and collaboration implied by the job description. ### Job Complexity 5/5EasyHard ### Pace & Pressure 5/5RelaxedFast-paced ### Autonomy Level 5/5GuidedFull ownership ### Communication Load 5/5IndependentCollaborative AI insightThis is a senior, high-accountability role spanning sales, capture, federal contracting, delivery execution, financial performance, and team leadership. Success depends on independently creating opportunities and delivering complex defense contracts in an ambiguous, mission-critical environment. ## Salary analysis Estimated compensation compared with the broader US market for similar roles. Estimated job median (per year)Market rate$165,000US market range (per year)$150k–$210k0$231.00k AI insightThe yearly pay period is inferred from the job context; it was not explicitly stated by the employer. The employer discloses a base salary of $145,000–$185,000 USD. The annual cadence is inferred from the US senior full-time role and the stated compensation magnitude; the $290,000–$370,000 on-target earnings figure is variable compensation and is not included in base-pay analysis. Estimated US market base salary for a senior defense-space business and program leader is approximately $150,000–$210,000 USD per year. ## Core skills Skills and capabilities most closely associated with this opportunity. [Federal business development](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Federal%20business%20development.md)[Space Force domain knowledge](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Space%20Force%20domain%20knowledge.md)[Government acquisition](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Government%20acquisition.md)[Federal contracting](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Federal%20contracting.md)[Capture management](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Capture%20management.md)[Proposal development](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Proposal%20development.md)[Contract negotiation](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Contract%20negotiation.md)[Portfolio management](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Portfolio%20management.md)[Program management](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Program%20management.md)[Customer relationship management](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Customer%20relationship%20management.md)[Revenue growth](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Revenue%20growth.md)[P&L management](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=PL%20management.md)[DevSecOps](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=DevSecOps.md)[Kubernetes](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Kubernetes.md)[Cloud-native technologies](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Cloud-native%20technologies.md) Sample interview questionsDescribe how you would identify and qualify a new opportunity within Space Systems Command.I would begin by mapping mission priorities, stakeholder incentives, acquisition timelines, and existing technical constraints. I would validate the operational problem directly with users and decision-makers, assess fit with our capabilities, identify the likely contract vehicle and competitive landscape, and establish clear qualification criteria before investing in capture resources. How do you balance quota attainment with accountability for delivery after contract award? I treat delivery feasibility as part of the sale. During shaping, I involve technical and delivery leaders early, define measurable outcomes and realistic scope, and ensure assumptions, risks, staffing plans, and margins are understood before commitment. After award, I maintain ownership of customer outcomes and use delivery performance to create credible follow-on opportunities. Give an example of how you would handle a customer-requested scope change that could threaten contract margin or schedule. I would first clarify the mission impact, urgency, and desired outcome with the customer and delivery team. I would quantify effects on cost, schedule, staffing, and technical risk, then present practical options such as reprioritization, phased delivery, or a formal contract modification. My goal would be to protect the relationship and mission outcome while maintaining disciplined commercial and contractual governance. What is your approach to leading a portfolio when several contracts are at different stages of capture and execution? I use a portfolio cadence that separates pipeline health, capture milestones, delivery risks, financial performance, staffing, and customer sentiment. I assign accountable owners, use leading indicators to surface issues early, and reserve my direct involvement for strategic decisions, key customer relationships, and escalations. As the portfolio grows, I develop program leaders while retaining clear accountability for overall outcomes. How would you explain the value of DevSecOps and Kubernetes-based delivery to a nontechnical Space Force stakeholder? I would focus on mission outcomes rather than tooling. I would explain that secure automated delivery practices help teams deploy needed capabilities faster, reduce manual errors, maintain security controls throughout the lifecycle, and make systems more reliable and repeatable. I would connect those benefits to the stakeholder’s specific mission timeline, risk posture, and operational constraints. Next step ## Apply now. Follow the employer’s application method and review Jobicy’s safety guidance before sharing personal information. Keep exploring ## Related remote jobs. * ![Motive logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2025/06/5cfcac16-221.jpg) Motive Nov 7 New ### [Director of Strategic Accounts, Western U.S.](https://jobicy.com/jobs/159570-director-of-strategic-accounts-western-u-s.md) Who we are: Motive empowers the people who run physical operations with tools to make their work safer, more productive, and more profitable. For the first time ever, safety, operations… * ![Motive logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2025/06/5cfcac16-221.jpg) Motive Nov 7 New ### [Director of Strategic Accounts, Eastern U.S.](https://jobicy.com/jobs/159565-director-of-strategic-accounts-eastern-u-s.md) Who we are: Motive empowers the people who run physical operations with tools to make their work safer, more productive, and more profitable. For the first time ever, safety, operations… * ![Zone & Co logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2025/06/618aec90-221.png) Zone & Co Nov 7 New ### [Senior Solution Consultant](https://jobicy.com/jobs/159562-senior-solution-consultant.md) Zone & Company Software Consulting LLC (“Zone”) is the ERP-native AI platform for financial operations, purpose-built for organizations running on Oracle NetSuite. We are redefining how finance teams operate by… * ![Motive logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2025/06/5cfcac16-221.jpg) Motive Nov 7 New ### [Director of Strategic Accounts, Central U.S.](https://jobicy.com/jobs/159558-director-of-strategic-accounts-central-u-s.md) Who we are: Motive empowers the people who run physical operations with tools to make their work safer, more productive, and more profitable. For the first time ever, safety, operations… * ![Zone & Co logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2025/06/618aec90-221.png) Zone & Co Nov 7 New ### [Senior Account Executive, Billing](https://jobicy.com/jobs/159555-senior-account-executive-billing.md) Zone & Company Software Consulting LLC (“Zone”) is the ERP-native AI platform for financial operations, purpose-built for organizations running on Oracle NetSuite. We are redefining how finance teams operate by… * ![Defense Unicorns logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2025/06/44a44784-221-1.png) Defense Unicorns Nov 7 New ### [Mission Director – Cyber](https://jobicy.com/jobs/159551-mission-director-cyber.md) This position offers a base salary of $145,000 – $185,000. (Total on-target earnings of $290,000 to $370,000) Role Description: The Mission Director is a quota-carrying, full-lifecycle business owner responsible for… * ![Defense Unicorns logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2025/06/44a44784-221-1.png) Defense Unicorns Nov 7 New ### [Mission Director – Army](https://jobicy.com/jobs/159544-mission-director-army.md) This position offers a base salary of $145,000 – $185,000. (Total on-target earnings of $290,000 to $370,000) Role Description: The Mission Director is a quota-carrying, full-lifecycle business owner responsible for… * ![Chainguard logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2025/06/e4b6aacf-221.jpeg) Chainguard Nov 7 New ### [Enterprise Account Executive](https://jobicy.com/jobs/159529-enterprise-account-executive-36.md) Chainguard is the trusted source for open source. By delivering hardened, secure, and production-ready builds of all the open source software engineers and AI agents rely on, Chainguard helps organizations… * ![Spire logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2026/06/eaf63996-221.webp) Spire Nov 7 New ### [Sales Manager – Weather & Climate (EMEA & APAC)](https://jobicy.com/jobs/159525-sales-manager-weather-climate-emea-apac-3.md) The Role: We are seeking an ambitious, self-directed Sales Manager to accelerate revenue growth across EMEA and APAC and advance the digitization of the global weather and climate ecosystem. Operating… * ![Deepgram logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2020/12/WRILS-201212160008-406229.jpg) Deepgram Nov 7 New ### [Strategic Account Executive (Federal Civilian)](https://jobicy.com/jobs/159517-strategic-account-executive-federal-civilian.md) Company Overview Deepgram is the leading platform underpinning the emerging trillion-dollar Voice AI economy, providing real-time APIs for speech-to-text (STT), text-to-speech (TTS), and building production-grade voice agents at scale. More… [Browse all jobs](https://jobicy.com/jobs.md)