Director of Government Affairs & Business Development
Astrolab
Sales & Business Development
Washington, DC, USA
Posted on Feb 20, 2025
Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team.
Astrolab is seeking a Director of Government Affairs & Business Development to lead our engagement with government agencies, policymakers, and regulatory bodies. This role will also drive Astrolab’s domestic and international government business development and payload sales, with a particular emphasis on international agency engagement. This individual will play a critical role in shaping our relationships with key stakeholders in the U.S. government, international space agencies, and other relevant entities to advance Astrolab’s strategic objectives.
Astrolab is seeking a Director of Government Affairs & Business Development to lead our engagement with government agencies, policymakers, and regulatory bodies. This role will also drive Astrolab’s domestic and international government business development and payload sales, with a particular emphasis on international agency engagement. This individual will play a critical role in shaping our relationships with key stakeholders in the U.S. government, international space agencies, and other relevant entities to advance Astrolab’s strategic objectives.
- Department
- Sales & Business Development
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $136,000 - $215,000 / year
- Reporting To
- Jaret Matthews
What you'll do:
- Develop and execute sales strategies to engage with federal, state, and international government entities to support Astrolab’s business and policy goals
- Serve as a primary liaison between Astrolab and government agencies such as NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. State Department, and regulatory bodies
- Conduct negotiations for contracts, agreements, and partnerships with domestic and international government entities, ensuring favorable terms for Astrolab while building long-term relationships with customers and partners
- Monitor, analyze, and report on legislative and regulatory developments that may impact Astrolab’s operations and objectives
- Advocate for policies and initiatives that align with Astrolab’s mission and support the growth of the commercial space industry
- Collaborate with internal teams, including legal, engineering, and business development, to ensure regulatory compliance and align policy efforts with company goals
- Build relationships with key government stakeholders, decision-makers, industry groups, and trade associations to enhance Astrolab’s influence in the space sector and expand Astrolab’s commercial pipeline for payload sales
- Shape of strategy and capture for Astrolab’s key government contracts
- Assist in the preparation of government proposals, policy briefs, and official correspondence
- Represent Astrolab at government meetings, industry conferences, and public forums
What you'll bring:
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, Engineering, or a related field (advanced degree preferred)
- 10+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, or regulatory engagement, preferably in the aerospace or defense industry
- Deep understanding of the U.S. legislative and regulatory processes related to space exploration and commercial space operations
- Established relationships with government agencies, policymakers, and industry groups in the space sector
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Experience with ITAR, EAR, and other space-related regulatory frameworks
Benefits and Perks
- Work with a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
- Ownership in the company
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) with matching
- Flexible time off and parental leave
- On-site snacks, beverages, and 2x weekly lunches
- Flexible work environment
About Astrolab
Having a strong, inclusive, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values. At Astrolab we…
Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.
Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life.
Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.
Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.
Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Application Review
Stage 2:
Recruiter Phone Interview
Astrolab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and value diversity. We are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, parental or pregnancy status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to careers@astrolab.space. We value diversity at Astrolab, and we strive to remove unconscious and unnecessary barriers to build the best team. While we’ve outlined what an ideal candidate could look like, we know that you may bring something unanticipated and essential to the team. If you’re reading this and can see yourself contributing, please register below.
