Senior Director, Capture

Job description

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge. For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles. Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more. We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet.  ABOUT THE ROLE Apex is seeking an experienced Senior Director of Capture to build, lead, and scale our capture organization. As a company at the forefront of space exploration and satellite technology, Apex is looking for a capture leader who can manage and develop a team of Capture Managers, own and mature our companywide capture process, and personally lead our largest and most strategic pursuits. This is a player-coach leadership role, serving as the connective tissue between business development and our technical teams to convert qualified opportunities into wins. This position reports to the VP of Sales and Business Development. Responsibilities: • Build, lead, and manage a team of Capture Managers, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and professional development. • Own and continuously mature Apex’s companywide capture process, standards, tooling, and gate reviews to ensure the company consistently and successfully captures new business. • Personally lead major and/or strategic captures, from opportunity identification through proposal submission and award. • Develop and oversee capture and win strategies for proposals, ensuring solutions align with customer mission needs and company capabilities. • Direct analysis of mission requirements, customer objectives, and the competitive landscape to shape innovative, compelling, and winning solutions. • Partner with business development, systems engineers, and spacecraft engineers to define mission architectures and translate them into compliant, competitive proposals. • Guide the team in generating and writing technical content for proposals related to the company’s core products while supporting business development pursuits. • Ensure proposals meet RFP (Request for Proposal) and Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) requirements and are compliant and competitive across all technical volumes. • Lead and participate in customer meetings and solution presentations to advocate for proposed technical concepts and improve win probability. • Develop and maintain relationships with key decision-makers and evaluators to improve win probability. • Identify and assess technical and competitive risks in proposed space solutions, directing mitigation strategies to improve feasibility and competitiveness. • Establish and maintain a library of past proposals, reusable technical content, and best practices, and capture lessons learned from previous proposals and mission awards to continuously refine the capture process. • Train and mentor engineering, proposal, and capture teams on best practices in space proposal and capture development. Requirements: • U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export-controlled data. • At least 8 years of experience in capture management, proposal development, or business development, preferably in a satellite related manufacturing environment. • Demonstrated experience building, leading, and managing capture, proposal, or business development teams. • Previous ownership of large captures, technical volumes, or proposal efforts, with a track record of winning complex, high-value pursuits. • Experience establishing or maturing companywide capture, proposal, or business development processes. • Experience working with prime contractors or government entities. • Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and managing timelines in a fast-paced environment. • Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with the ability to prioritize and adapt to changing demands. • Strong interpersonal and executive communication skills to collaborate effectively across the Apex team and influence senior stakeholders. • High attention to detail with a focus on delivering concise, compelling, and technically accurate proposal content. • Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-changing environment with shifting priorities and deadlines. Nice-to-Haves • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field. • Experience in satellite manufacturing or related industries (aerospace, defense, or high-tech). • Previous spacecraft, launch vehicle, or payload engineering experience. #LI-JC1 WHY JOIN APEX? Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast-growing startup that has raised more than $500M in funding, and we invest heavily in our people from day one. WHAT WE OFFER FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES: - Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create - Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost - Comprehensive PTO package: Starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays - Competitive 401(k) plan: Generous matching - 100% match on first 3%, 50% on next 2% - 8 weeks paid parental leave: Plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel - Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks: To keep you fueled throughout the day - Vibrant community: Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and gatherings for you and your family - Your dream desk setup: All the tools you need to be your most productive self - World-class Playa Vista office: With the benefit of in-person collaboration with amazing coworkers and flexibility to integrate work and life - Real impact opportunity: Work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting-edge industries to make a lasting difference ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Compensation ranges are set by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. A candidate's specific level and base pay are determined case by case and may vary with job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities, and internal equity. Beyond base salary, full-time hires are also eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options, along with medical, dental, and vision coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan. ITAR REQUIREMENTS Apex's work is governed by U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To be eligible for this role, applicants must either (1) qualify as a U.S. Person, meaning a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), a refugee admitted under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or an individual granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or (2) be able to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or another applicable U.S. government agency. You can learn more about ITAR here https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.