Director of Federal Government Relations

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 environme Apply tot his job Apply To this Job