Director of Government Affairs
About The Position
Endurance is building modular subsea geothermal power plants to convert ocean-floor thermal resources into baseload power. The company is backed by Founders Fund, Felicis, First Round Capital, and Point72 Ventures, and has completed multiple deep-ocean deployments. It is launching a long-term demonstration project. The Director of Government Affairs will own relationships, partnerships, and policy engagement with defense programs. As Endurance Energy’s principal voice with the Office of Naval Research (ONR), NAVSEA Warfare Centers, DARPA, other Department of Defense (DoD) science and technology organizations, acquisition program offices, Military Departments, and relevant congressional committees, the Director will help shape requirements, position the company for programs and funding, and give leadership timely insight into DoD acquisition and budget cycles. The role is within the office of Policy and External Affairs and works closely with commercial, engineering, and legal teams. It represents the company with senior government and industry stakeholders and leads the company’s DoD engagement planning and funding-opportunity efforts.
Requirements
- 10 or more years of experience in government affairs, defense policy, or roles focused on the DoD.
- At least 5 years working directly with ONR, NAVSEA Warfare Centers, DARPA, other DoD science and technology organizations, acquisition program offices, or Military Departments.
- Working knowledge of the PPBE process, NDAA and appropriations cycle, and DoD acquisition pathways, including FAR, DFARS, OTA agreements, and SBIR/STTR programs.
- Established relationships with DoD, Service, or congressional defense stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to translate technical capabilities into policy and requirements language for non-technical audiences.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including senior-level briefings.
- Active Secret clearance or higher, or eligibility to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in a related field, such as an MPA, MBA, or JD.
- Prior service as a military officer, DoD civilian, or congressional staffer on a defense committee.
- Experience in energy, power systems, or critical infrastructure.
- Familiarity with DoD energy and installation programs, such as the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, ESTCP, SERDP, or Service energy resilience offices.
- Experience supporting capture efforts for DoD contracts or other transactions.
- Active Top Secret clearance.
Responsibilities
- Build relationships across the Office of the Secretary of Defense, ONR, NAVSEA Warfare Centers, DARPA, other DoD science and technology organizations, acquisition program offices, the Joint Staff, and the Military Departments; represent Endurance Energy in meetings, working groups, and industry days.
- Track the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution process, the National Defense Authorization Act, and defense appropriations; brief leadership on funding opportunities and timing risks.
- Engage Armed Services and Appropriations staff; draft talking points, white papers, and legislative requests; manage outside lobbyists and coalitions.
- Work on programs and requirements, and support Other Transaction Authority agreements, Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, Defense Innovation Unit efforts, and teaming pursuits.
- Lead applications to DoD funding opportunities, from identifying and qualifying solicitations through writing, submitting, and following up on proposals.
- Prepare presentations and briefing materials for senior leadership and external partners.
- Work with legal to ensure government engagement complies with lobbying, ethics, and procurement integrity rules.
- Own an annual DoD engagement plan and report regularly to executives and the board.
Benefits
- Competitive base salary and generous equity packages for full-time employees.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
- Flexible PTO, including 12 paid company holidays.
- Travel to deployment sites along oceanic ridges, including locations such as the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, and the Azores.
- Participation in sea trials and deployment operations in partnership with leading oceanographic institutions.
- Company-sponsored recreational dive certification.
- Access to the company boat, free meals, and snacks.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
