Vice President of Government Relations

Position: Vice President of Government Relations

Location: 14399 Penrose Place

Suite 200

Chantilly, VA

Job Id: 3188

# of Openings: 1

Where dreams and reality collide and the output is, out of this world. At Redwire Space, we are a team of dreamers and doers. Where the impossible becomes possible, and every day is an opportunity to learn and get one step closer to knowing the unknown. Join us on our mission to expand humanity's presence in space.

Redwire Space, Inc. is seeking a Vice President of Government Relations, this position will be located at our facility inChantilly, VA.

About the Role:

The Vice President of Government Relations will define and lead the organization’s comprehensive government engagement strategy across federal, state, and local stakeholders. This executive will build and manage senior‑level relationships across the U.S. Government ecosystem to advance strategic priorities, shape emerging policy and regulatory frameworks, and support customer engagement across defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.

This cross‑functional leadership role sits at the intersection of government affairs, business development, policy, and strategy. The VP will work closely with CEO, Segment Presidents, executive leadership, BD, engineering, and program teams to drive coordinated engagement across congressional, DoD, intelligence community, and regulatory stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a builder who is capable of standing up new functions, navigating tightening budget environments, and advocating for mission‑critical priorities in complex political landscapes.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a multi‑level government relations strategy aligned with company goals, programmatic priorities, and long‑term growth. Focused on advancing UAS and Spacecraft Missions in VLEO and Maneuverable GEO orbits.
• Navigate budgetary contractions and shifting fiscal environments; proactively defend critical programs when resources tighten.
• Shape policy positions, messaging, and external engagement strategies related to national security, space infrastructure, aerospace innovation, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and analyze legislative, regulatory, acquisition, and policy developments relevant to defense, intelligence, , and commercial markets.

Senior Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior government officials, congressional delegations, agency leadership, legislative staff, and regulators.
• Engage with key committees and agencies, including HAC‑D, SAC‑D, HASC, SASC, HPSCI, SSCI, and relevant Executive Branch organizations.
• Represent the company in high‑visibility policy discussions, hearings, industry groups, trade associations, and government‑facing forums.
• Prepare talking points, briefing materials, white papers, and executive‑level communications for internal and external engagements.

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Coordinate closely with business segments teams to support customer engagement and strategic growth initiatives.
• Support executive engagements including congressional meetings, agency visits, industry events, conferences, and facility tours.
• Work with engineering and program teams to distill complex technical concepts into clear explanations suitable for policymakers and senior decision‑makers.

State & Local Government Affairs

• Build state and local government affairs capabilities from the ground up, including incentive negotiations, tax benefits, manufacturing support, and regional partnerships.
• Lead government engagement for geographic expansion initiatives, ensuring alignment with workforce development, site planning, and community partnerships.

Political & Regulatory Advisory

• Advise executive leadership on political strategy, long‑term government affairs priorities, and risk mitigation.
• Provide guidance on PAC direction and political engagement activities (where applicable), ensuring compliance and alignment with business objectives.
• Ensure adherence to ITAR, export control frameworks, and all relevant regulatory requirements.

Ideal Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in government relations, legislative affairs, national security, aerospace, defense, and related sectors.
• Deep experience with congressional committees (HAC‑D/SAC‑D/HASC/SASC/HPSCI/SSCI) and/or Executive Branch policy and acquisition organizations.
• Strong understanding of U.S. Government budgeting, acquisition, and policymaking processes—especially for defense, intelligence, and space programs.
• Proven ability to develop high‑impact engagement strategies that support business growth in fast‑paced, high‑growth environments.
• Demonstrated success building senior‑level relationships across government and industry.
• U.S. Person status required for accessing export‑controlled information.
• Eligibility for TS/SCI clearance; active clearance highly preferred.

Desired Skills/Abilities:

• Exceptional communication skills with experience preparing government‑facing and executive‑level materials.
• Strong strategic judgment with proven ability to navigate complex political and organizational landscapes.
• Willingness to travel for government, customer, and industry engagements.

Grow with us as we innovate the next generation capabilities for a new era of space exploration! We offer a highly competitive benefits package along with a commitment to our core values of Integrity, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, and Excellence.

Salary Range: $175K - $250K, STI and LTI eligible.

Redwire is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Redwire 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.

All offers of employment at Redwire are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check and your ability to provide proof of eligibility to work in the US. Note that some positions will also require US citizenship or ability to obtain a security clearance due to requirements of a classified program.

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 ITARClick Here

EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS:
This position may require access to information, materials, or technology subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). To comply with these regulations, applicants may be asked to provide documentation to verify their status as a "U.S. person" as defined under the ITAR and EAR, or their eligibility to obtain any required U.S. Government export authorization. Redwire complies with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act, and does not discriminate on the basis of citizenship status or national origin except as required by law.