Senior Director of Government Affairs (Defense)

: As Senior Director, Government Affairs , at Impulse , you are an integral part of our Government Affairs team, you would report directly to the General Counsel & VP for Government Affairs, and would have a key role in shaping and implementing Impulse Space's defense advocacy strategy for our highly advanced spacecraft at the federal and state level. This role will also be responsible for weekly engagement in front of the Dept of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), and key stakeholders to secure contracts and influence policy. NOTE: This position is based on-site (Los Angeles or Washington DC) and requires travel

Responsibilities

• Lead advocacy and communications with federal and state elected officials, DoD, and IC to promote Impulse's priorities, including National Security Space Launch (NSSL) and in-space propulsion solutions
• Monitor and analyze legislative, regulatory (e.g., FCC, FAA), and DoD policy changes impacting space contracts and operations, advising internal stakeholders to ensure compliance and strategic alignment
• Conduct daily advocacy before the FCC, on Capitol Hill, and with DoD agencies to advance Impulse's business interests, including commercial and defense applications of orbital transfer vehicles
• Drive Impulse's federal legislative and business development strategies by developing innovative tactics, policy positions, and coalition-building efforts with industry partners
• Draft legislative language, prepare hearing testimony, attend congressional hearings, and craft policy papers to influence space and defense policy
• Represent Impulse at high-profile aerospace industry events, political functions, and DoD-related forums to strengthen relationships and visibility
• Conduct research and produce talking points, policy briefs, and strategic recommendations to support advocacy and business development goals

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, aerospace engineering, or a related field
• 8+ years of professional experience working on regulatory or legislative matters, preferably in the Aerospace/defense private sector, DOD or Congressional office
• Proven success in designing and executing political and regulatory advocacy campaigns, with measurable outcomes
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to achieve short- and long-term objectives in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting policy documents and engaging senior stakeholders

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Advanced degree (MA, JD, PhD) in Science, Policy or Political Science
• Deep knowledge of U.S. space policy, DoD acquisition processes, and national security space programs (e.g., NSSL, Space Force)
• Demonstrated expertise in the federal budget and appropriations process, including experience securing funding for aerospace or defense programs
• Familiarity with FCC, FAA, and NOAA regulations governing commercial space operations, including licensing and spectrum allocation

Additional Information: Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options , and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan . 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. Learn more about the ITAR here. Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of 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.

About Impulse Space

Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.

Department

Operations

Employment Type

Full Time

Location

Redondo Beach

Workplace type

Onsite

Compensation

$185,000 - $250,000 / year