Who We Are:
Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion. With the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since Apollo, our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets deliver historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. We are building the next generation of propulsion platforms that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. Our team thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace. At Venus, we’re looking for bold engineers and innovators who want to make history and redefine the future of propulsion.
The Role: Director of Federal Government Relations
The Director of Federal Government Relations will lead the company’s federal government engagement strategy as we transition from early-stage execution to scaled programs, increased government visibility, and deeper engagement with federal, state, and international stakeholders. In this role, you will be responsible for building a disciplined policy and engagement strategy, managing relationships across the executive and legislative branches, supporting government-funded programs and contracts, and ensuring consistent alignment between public policy objectives and business priorities as the company grows in size and complexity. This leader will skillfully balance organizational leadership and strategic judgment with hands-on execution. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of defense, aerospace, and national security policy; established relationships across key federal agencies and Capitol Hill; and the ability to translate complex business and technical issues into effective advocacy positions.
What You’ll Get to Do:
Company-Wide Government Relations Strategy: Design and execute the company’s federal government relations strategy aligned with top business priorities, including U.S. government customers, program execution, policy and legislative developments, regulatory considerations, and future growth. Define and maintain clear policy positions, advocacy priorities, and engagement plans across defense, aerospace, national security, and technology stakeholders. Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive team on federal government engagement, policy risk, and public-sector opportunity.
Government Engagement & Advocacy: Ensure alignment between government relations efforts and internal teams including business legal, marketing and communications, operations, and product. Build internal processes to track policy developments, government interactions, and engagement outcomes. Support company leaders in understanding and navigating government processes, requirements, and expectations. Help leadership maintain clarity and alignment as government programs, contracts, and partnerships scale. Represent the company at key government, defense, and policy conferences, cultivating relationships, advancing company priorities, and elevating visibility with public-sector stakeholders.
Business Development Partnership & Contribution: Serve as a core contributor to the Business Development team, partnering closely to shape and advance public-sector growth strategy. Align government relations and policy engagement with capture plans, customer pursuits, and long-term pipeline development. Support the pursuit and execution of government-funded programs, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Support identification, qualification, and prioritization of government opportunities through policy insight, stakeholder mapping, and strategic engagement. Contribute to shaping long-term government market strategy, including customer expansionContribute government and regulatory perspective to pursuit strategies, customer meetings, and proposal development. Establish repeatable processes for coordinating government engagement in support of active and future pursuits. Manage external advisors, lobbyists, or consultants as needed to support business development objectives.
Support for Executive and Board Engagement: Support executive-level engagement with government stakeholders around major milestones and strategic priorities. Contribute to board materials related to policy, regulatory risk, and government opportunity. Support the development of written and visual products for key government and public-sector interactions.
What You Have:
Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, international relations, or a related field
10+ years of experience in government relations, public affairs, policy, or national security roles
Deep familiarity with federal government processes, particularly within defense, national security, and aerospace ecosystems
Demonstrated ability to operate with senior executives in high-stakes, politically sensitive environments
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, particularly for executive and government audiences
Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to manage risk
Mission-driven, collaborative, and selfless attitude
Experience supporting a growth-stage (Series B–C or equivalent) technology company
What Will Set You Apart:
Master’s degree in public policy, international affairs, law, or a related field
Prior experience in Congress, DoD, State Department, or other relevant federal government departments
Existing relationships across defense, aerospace, or national security government stakeholders
Experience supporting government-funded programs, appropriations, or regulatory strategy
Background working with or within deep tech, aerospace, or defense companies
Location:
This role may be performed remotely within the United States. Candidates located in the Washington, DC area are preferred. Up to 25% travel is required.
Benefits:
Venus Aerospace employee benefits include a 401(k) plan, stock options, and medical benefits, including dental and vision. We have a flex-Friday flexible schedule, unlimited PTO, and receive professional development opportunities.
About Venus Aerospace
By enabling one hour global travel, Venus Aerospace is transforming the world and our access to it. We’re building a spaceplane with a low carbon footprint that will enable one-hour global travel. We are a diverse, veteran team with extreme experience in successful new space, commercial, R&D, and government/military programs.
We are looking for incredible, motivated, enthusiastic people that want to build a world-changing culture and organization. You will be helping Venus grow and develop, so flexibility and a sense of adventure is quintessential. We are looking for all-around AWESOME people to help us grow.
We’ve done the professional grind, and we’ve got a better approach. We take “Home for Dinner” seriously – we want you to work for us and be “home for dinner”. Family is important and we don’t want you to miss out on what matters most. If that appeals to you, we’d love to connect!
ITAR Requirements
This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be able to meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State). You can learn more about ITAR here.
Venus Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation, please email [email protected] or call (281) 203-0027.This email and phone number were created exclusively to assist job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Messages or any other purposes, such as following up on an application, third party staffing agencies, website technical issues, or any other issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response. Messages will be returned within five business days.
For additional information about our Equal Opportunity Employment Policy, please visit our EEOP page.
