Head of Government Affairs & International Partnerships (Space & Defense)

Location: Hawthorne, California. Onsite.

Salary: $150,000–$200,000 per year.

Company

hirify.global designs and builds lunar mobility systems and hardware, including rovers, power systems, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon.

What you will do

• Lead international government, dual-use, and defense growth strategy and own relationships with international space agencies and government customers.
• Drive opportunities from initial engagement and relationship shaping through signed MOUs, funded studies, service agreements, proposals, awards, and program maturation.
• Lead government affairs and policy engagement with defense program offices, acquisition leaders, Congressional stakeholders, and Executive Branch organizations including OSTP and OMB.
• Own the defense and dual-use opportunity pipeline across DARPA, AFRL, SDA, Space Force, and the intelligence community.
• Provide customer-side input on rover-as-a-service and LUMIS pricing, requirements, and pre-contract commitments.
• Coordinate with Growth, Engineering, Legal, Finance, Trade Compliance, Operations, and Mission Management to ensure technically feasible, export-compliant, and contractually sound pursuits.

Requirements

• 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 with government contracting and agreement vehicles including 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.

Nice to have

• Bachelor’s degree in government affairs, international relations, political science, business, aerospace, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience supporting or pursuing programs with DARPA, AFRL, SDA, 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.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive, direct, honest, respectful, and transparent working environment.
• Emphasis on balance, diverse perspectives, efficient iteration, quality, reliability, and measurable impact.
• Equity ownership in the company.
• Medical, dental, vision, and mental health benefits, plus a 401(k) plan with company match.
• Flexible PTO, parental leave, weekly lunch stipend, and complimentary on-site snacks and beverages.
• Monthly on-site social hour with food and drinks.

Hiring process

• Application review followed by a recruiter phone interview.
• Video interviews followed by an on-site interview.
• Offer and hiring decision.