Director of Launch Licensing & Regulatory Integration

Iron Will Ventures

8d•Remote

About The Position

Iron Will Ventures is seeking an experienced aerospace and launch industry professional to lead the development and execution of commercial launch licensing, regulatory strategy, and Department of Defense (DoD) launch integration capabilities. The role will support Iron Will’s internal development of emerging launch capabilities and provide specialized regulatory, technical, and programmatic services to government and commercial customers. The Director will lead FAA Part 450 launch and reentry licensing strategy, support license applications, coordinate with regulatory authorities, and develop compliance strategies for traditional and nontraditional launch operations. The role also encompasses DoD launch approval and range integration, including coordination with the U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, Space Launch Delta 30 and 45, and other relevant organizations. The position will support evaluation and development of emerging launch capabilities and infrastructure, including sea-based operations, mobile platforms, and nontraditional launch locations. The successful candidate will establish Iron Will’s launch licensing and regulatory integration service offering, advise customers, support business development, and build strategic relationships across government and industry. This is a remote position open to qualified candidates throughout the United States. Travel is required to support government and commercial customers, launch ranges, industry partners, and Iron Will operations.

Requirements

15+ years of experience in aerospace, commercial space launch, DoD launch operations, regulatory affairs, or related fields.
Demonstrated experience with FAA commercial launch licensing under 14 CFR Part 450.
Direct experience supporting launch operations, range integration, or DoD launch activities.
Working knowledge of U.S. Space Force launch operations and Eastern or Western Range requirements.
Experience coordinating with federal regulatory agencies and government stakeholders.
Strong understanding of launch safety, mission assurance, flight safety analysis, and launch operations.
Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical technical and operational solutions.
Strong communication, leadership, and customer engagement skills.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with FAA AST, U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, or a major commercial launch provider.
Experience with both FAA Part 450 licensing and DoD launch range operations.
Experience with sea-based launch operations, mobile launch platforms, or nontraditional launch infrastructure.
Experience supporting commercial launch providers serving national security customers.
Active Secret security clearance or ability to obtain one.
Experience developing new business lines or leading technical service organizations.

Responsibilities

Lead FAA Part 450 launch and reentry licensing strategy and execution.
Support development, preparation, and coordination of commercial launch license applications.
Interpret FAA regulatory requirements and develop compliance strategies for traditional and nontraditional launch operations.
Coordinate with the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) and other applicable regulatory authorities.
Evaluate regulatory pathways for emerging launch concepts, including sea-based, mobile, and distributed launch platforms.
Develop and coordinate DoD launch approval strategies and processes.
Work with U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, Space Launch Delta 30 and 45, and other relevant DoD organizations.
Support launch range coordination, safety requirements, mission assurance, and operational integration.
Address the intersection of commercial launch licensing, federal range requirements, and national security launch missions.
Support regulatory and operational pathways for commercial capabilities supporting DoD launch requirements.
Support development of Iron Will’s new launch capabilities and infrastructure.
Evaluate regulatory and operational feasibility of sea-based launch operations, mobile launch platforms, and nontraditional launch locations.
Identify regulatory challenges and develop strategies to enable innovative launch architectures.
Support launch site development, infrastructure planning, and government stakeholder engagement.
Integrate regulatory considerations into early-stage engineering, architecture, and program development.
Establish and lead Iron Will’s launch licensing and regulatory integration service offering.
Provide technical and regulatory expertise to government and commercial customers.
Identify new business opportunities within commercial space and national security launch markets.
Support capture activities, proposals, customer engagements, and technical presentations.
Develop strategic relationships with launch providers, government agencies, range operators, and commercial space organizations.
Support winning and executing government and commercial customer work and develop a pipeline of customers for Iron Will’s launch regulatory capabilities.