Head of Government Affairs & International Partnerships

Department: Business Development & Sales

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Reporting To: Manny Shar

Compensation: $150,000 - $200,000 / year

Description

What you'll do:

• Originate, qualify, and lead relationships with international space agencies and government customers (e.g., ESA, CSA, JAXA, ISRO, KASA, ASI), with account ownership 
• Drive each relationship from first engagement to signed MOU to funded study or service agreement, against defined targets for agreements signed and contract value 
• Partner with Legal and Trade Compliance on export-control strategy and licensing for every international engagement 
• Coordinate with the Head of Civil Space on international activities tied to NASA-led cooperation to ensure consistent civil space strategies and partner agency interaction 

• Lead Astrolab’s government affairs strategy for defense and international relations, including monitoring and influencing authorization, appropriations, and agency priorities that affect lunar and dual-use opportunities 
• Engage regularly with defense program offices, acquisition leaders, and Executive Branch stakeholders (including OSTP and OMB where defense and dual-use priorities intersect) 
• Maintain a shared Washington engagement plan with the Head of Civil Space so Congressional and Executive Branch outreach is coordinated and consistent 
• Manage external defense-focused advisors, as needed, in coordination with Legal and the Head of Civil Space 

• Own the defense and dual-use opportunity pipeline (DARPA, AFRL, SDA, Space Force, and the intelligence community), from early concept shaping through proposal, award, and program maturation 
• Identify, qualify, and pursue lunar-relevant opportunities in partnership with Growth capture leads, Engineering, consultants, and external teaming partners 
• Provide customer-side input into rover-as-a-service and LUMIS pricing, developed in coordination with Growth, Operations, and Finance 
• Serve as the pre-contract voice of the customer on requirements; post-award payload integration and mission operations transition to Mission Management 
• Partner closely with Growth (Business Development/Sales, Marketing & Communications, Mission Management), Engineering, Legal, and Finance to ensure commitments are technically feasible and contractually sound 

What you'll bring:

• 10+ years of experience in government affairs, international partnerships, or business development within the space, defense, or aerospace sector 
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with at least two of the following: DoD space and defense organizations, the intelligence community, Congressional defense and appropriations committees, international space agencies, or OSTP/OMB 
• Experience converting strategic relationships into signed agreements or funded programs, including specific examples and contract values 
• Experience working with government contracting and agreement vehicles, such as FAR-based contracts, OTAs, Space Act Agreements, and international cooperative agreements 
• Experience applying ITAR/EAR requirements to international engagements and working with U.S. export-controlled information 

• Bachelor’s degree in government affairs, international relations, political science, business, aerospace, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Experience working with government contracting and agreement vehicles, such as FAR-based contracts, OTAs, Space Act Agreements, and international cooperative agreements 
• Experience supporting or pursuing programs with DARPA, AFRL, SDA, or Space Force, or comparable defense and dual-use initiatives 
• Experience supporting lunar, planetary, or human exploration programs, such as Artemis, CLPS, or LTVS 
• Experience obtaining or maintaining a U.S. security clearance 
• Experience working in a startup or high-growth company, including direct involvement in capture strategy or pipeline management 
• Experience influencing federal appropriations or authorization outcomes through government affairs, advocacy, or strategic partnerships 

Benefits and Perks

• Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks