Vice President of Government Relations and External Affairs

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

As an end-to-end space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY:

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as the Vice President of Government Relations & External Affairs. The successful candidate is a proven leader focused on engagement with the Executive and Legislative Branches and developing relationships across the Federal Government including: Department of Defense (DoD), the Intelligence Community (IC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other government offices. You will be responsible for leading legislative affairs and public policy advocacy at the federal and state levels. If you are a self-motivated, driven team member with a passion for space and being part of a winning team that dominates space and in-space capabilities, then we want you to join us!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, develop and advocate the legislative priorities and public policies goals at the federal and state levels.
• Monitor and report to the executive team the legislative and budgetary environment and develop key strategies that are focused on winning business through a holistic government relations plan.
• Strong experience working on Capitol Hill in connection with defense and national security issues in relation to the commercial space launch and satellite industry and possess a strong understanding of authorizing legislation for Department of Defense (DoD) programs (i.e. NDAA) and/or DoD appropriations, particularly with respect to DoD procurement of commercial launch capabilities.
• Cultivate trusting and enduring relationships with federal, state, local, and foreign government officials and their staffs; specifically with the DoD, IC, FAA, NASA and the FCC.
• Lead bipartisan congressional advocacy efforts on behalf of Firefly STS.
• Possess a strong interest in politics related to space policies with a focus on National Security Space and Civil Space.
• Prepare materials for Firefly executives, including remarks, briefing memos, presentations, and other materials related to government actions.
• Represent the company at political events, fundraisers, external meetings, and conferences as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• U.S. citizen.

• Bachelor’s Degree required; JD or equivalent experience a plus.

• 8+ years of U.S. federal government relations, congressional relations, and public policy experience, including:
  • significant experience with authorization and/or appropriations committees, specifically with the House and Senate Appropriations and Armed Services Committees;
  • expertise working with the DoD, IC and regulatory agencies for the space community; including satellite and launch vehicle government program offices; ???????
  • command of the acquisition lifecycle including defense policy, procurement and execution;
  • experience leading in complex and challenging environments to build trust and positive relationships.

• Strong communications and interpersonal skills and ability to work with and direct a team of outside counsel and consultants on government affairs activities. Ability to get a Top-Secret clearance is required.
• Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified infomation.

Desired:

• Advanced degree or focused BS/BA in law or other equivalent field.

• 12+ years of U.S. federal government relations, congressional relations, and public policy experience.

• Active Security Clearance (TS-SCI) is preferred.

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a 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.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on 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.