Director of Government Relations

Kunin Technologies•Washington D.C., WA

About The Position

Kunin Technologies is hiring a Director of Government Relations to establish and lead the company’s government relations work across federal agencies, Congress, and state governments. The role’s primary priority is developing Kunin’s relationship with the Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) and positioning the company within the federal financing programs associated with it. The role will also advance state incentive opportunities in Tennessee and Texas and pursue other government projects and directed federal opportunities. The Director will build relationships with relevant congressional committees, the Tennessee delegation, and agencies responsible for defense, energy, commerce, and critical-minerals programs. The position will provide timely policy intelligence on rulemakings, export-control updates, and solicitation forecasts to inform commercial timing and founder strategy, and will manage outside lobbyists and government-relations consultants while ensuring advocacy compliance. The company expects the role, within its first 12 months, to establish a working OSC relationship and a credible position in its financing pipeline; advance incentive engagements with Tennessee and Texas economic development authorities; establish relevant legislative and agency relationships; and deliver same-day policy intelligence. The role requires U.S. citizenship and monthly travel to Chattanooga and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Extended hours and weekends are frequently required to support critical project milestones. Compensation is $160,000–$330,000, plus benefits and equity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 6 years of government affairs experience touching the defense industrial base, critical minerals, energy, or advanced manufacturing.
Ability to interpret policy and regulations, such as DFARS rules and NDAA sections, and produce same-day analysis of their implications for the company.
Experience across Congress, agency policy offices, or defense-industrial government affairs.
A record of moving report language or a legislative provision.
Ability to brief a member of Congress or senior official on short notice and write concise one-page briefs.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Monthly travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Extended hours and weekends are frequently required to support critical project milestones.

Nice To Haves

Relationships with the Tennessee delegation.
State economic development experience.

Responsibilities

Build and manage Kunin Technologies’ relationship with the Department of Defense’s Office of Strategic Capital and position the company in relevant federal financing programs for critical minerals.
Advance special government projects, including Tennessee and Texas state incentives, site-linked programs, and directed federal opportunities.
Engage executive-branch offices and programs focused on the defense industrial base, strategic materials, energy, federal lending, and export controls.
Develop federal legislative relationships with armed services and appropriations committees, energy and natural resources committees, and the Tennessee delegation.
Provide timely policy intelligence on rulemakings, export controls, and stockpile solicitations to inform commercial timing and founder strategy.
Manage outside lobbyists and government-relations consultants and ensure advocacy compliance.
Establish, within the first 12 months, a working OSC relationship and credible position in its financing pipeline; advance state incentive engagements; build relevant committee, delegation, and agency relationships; and provide same-day policy intelligence.