Capture Manager, Tactical Space Systems

At Turion Space, we’re on a mission to secure Earth and expand humanity’s reach beyond it. We’re developing spacecraft for national security, space logistics, and remote sensing. As we prepare for upcoming launches and expand our portfolio of government and commercial programs, we’re looking for a Capture Manager to join our Business Development team and drive the growth of our spacecraft bus and payload sales.

This role is based in Southern California, with a flexible schedule split between our Irvine, California headquarters and our presence in the El Segundo aerospace hub.

As a Capture Manager at Turion, you will manage full-cycle capture across large-scale government programs. Our BD team doesn't just "find" leads; we manage the entire journey from opportunity creation to final contract close. You will be the tip of the spear for our mission sales, working hand-in-hand with our engineering teams to ensure our technical solutions align perfectly with customer needs. You should be a "team seller" who thrives on the persistence required to win space vehicles opportunities within complex government frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape opportunities with prospective customers to optimize alignment with Turion’s capabilities.

• Develop and implement comprehensive capture strategies, including analysis of customer needs, competitive landscape, and pricing strategies.

• Prepare review packages to support decisions to bid and approval to submit.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, stakeholders, and partners.

• Ensure touchpoints within the company are integrated and synchronized to deliver a consistent message to customers, stakeholders, and partners.

• Develop and articulate clear, compelling and unique win themes and value propositions, and ensure they are articulated throughout the proposal process.

• Organize and lead the end-to-end development of proposals, including RFI, RFP, RPP, and RFQ responses. This includes organizing internal writing teams, identifying external talent needed to support proposal management and writing, and scheduling associated work

• Work with other leads to develop and mature a mission area strategy for 1, 3 , 5, and 10 year growth plans including identifying potential customers, products, services, and partners

• Work with other leads to build and maintain an opportunity pipeline for a mission area including projected opportunities over the next 1, 3, 5, and 10 years.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years experience as a Program Management or Systems Engineer for space hardware programs within the aerospace or defense industry..

• Strong USG Space Network: Direct experience working with the US Space Force and Intel communities as a military service member, employee, or as a prime contractor.

• Proven Shaping Experience: Experience personally influencing a customer or key stakeholder to change their mind from a previously decided path.

• Technical Fluency: Ability to engage deeply with engineering teams and speak confidently about spacecraft architecture and mission requirements. This is not an enterprise IT, finance, or contracts position.

• Contractual Knowledge: Solid understanding of government contracting vehicles and how to navigate the "win" process.

• Travel: Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.

• Security Clearance: Active Secret and able to attain Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Subject Matter Expertise: Specific mission knowledge related to space domain awareness and/or RPO systems.

• 5+ years of experience in business development, account management, or sales of space hardware within the aerospace or defense industry.

• Proposal and Shaping Expertise: Experienced in leading teams and developing opportunities from early concept/trend identification through qualification, deciding to bid, through proposal development and submittal, and management of early phases of new start programs.

• Proposal Writing Experience: Strong technical writing ability and a deep understanding of the formal USG proposal writing and evaluation process.

• Multi-Agency Background: Experience navigating multiple government entities (e.g., SDA, AFRL, NASA, NRO).

• Security Clearance: Current Top Secret/SCI clearance.

• Regional Presence: Familiarity with the El Segundo and Southern California aerospace ecosystems.

Capture Manager Salary Range: $175,000 - $240,000 USD

Employees may be asked to support alternate shifts, extended shifts, and/or travel during peak work periods.

ITAR Requirements:

This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:

• Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

• Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan with a 3% Employer Direct Contribution to help you plan for your future.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.

• Parental Leave: Paid parental leave following the birth of a newborn or adoption.

• Emotional Wellbeing: A no-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your household’s emotional health and wellbeing.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing internal training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.

• Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment.

We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual.

Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, 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.