Manager, Government and Community Affairs, Project Ranger

STEM Boomerang•Rio Rancho, NM

20h

About The Position

Castelion was founded to restore America’s ability to field advanced weapons at speed and scale. It combines rapid iteration, vertical integration, and scalable manufacturing to deliver affordable, high-performance strike systems and strengthen national security. Project Ranger is Castelion’s advanced manufacturing facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. When complete, it is expected to be the world’s largest purpose-built hypersonics manufacturing facility, supporting high-rate production, local job creation, and U.S. national security needs. The project represents a major long-term investment in New Mexico, with success dependent on strong relationships with local communities, elected officials, workforce partners, educational institutions, business organizations, and civic leaders across Rio Rancho, Sandoval County, Albuquerque, and the broader state. The Manager, Government and Community Affairs will support public-facing engagement and stakeholder relationships for Project Ranger. The role requires knowledge of New Mexico’s political, civic, business, and community landscape; experience building trust with external stakeholders; and the ability to communicate complex technical, economic, and national security issues to non-technical audiences. The manager will work across internal functions and manage multiple projects, events, and stakeholder relationships in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in external affairs, public affairs, government relations, community relations, economic development, communications, or a related field.
Strong understanding of New Mexico’s political, civic, business, and community landscape, particularly Rio Rancho, Sandoval County, Albuquerque, or state-level stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience building trust with local officials, community leaders, business organizations, educational institutions, and other external stakeholders.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical, economic, and national security issues to non-technical audiences.
Experience supporting or leading public-facing engagement for a major facility, infrastructure project, manufacturing site, economic development project, or high-growth company.
Ability to work effectively across internal teams, including operations, communications, legal, facilities, finance, HR, recruiting, and senior leadership.
High ownership and ability to manage multiple projects, events, and stakeholder relationships in parallel.
Sound judgment, discretion, and ability to identify reputational or political risks before they become larger issues.
Ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with evolving priorities.
Must be a U.S. Person due to potential access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

Nice To Haves

Existing relationships with New Mexico local, county, state, business, education, workforce, or civic stakeholders.
Experience in defense, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, economic development, or technology.
Experience working with workforce development boards, community colleges, technical training programs, or veteran employment organizations.
Experience managing local media, site visits, public events, community briefings, or elected official engagements.
Familiarity with defense industrial base issues, manufacturing workforce challenges, or national security policy.
Prior experience supporting a company during major site construction, facility launch, or regional expansion.

Benefits

Meaningful employee equity for all full-time employees.
Four weeks of paid time off.
Ten company-paid holidays.
Medical plans with 100% employee coverage and 80% dependent coverage.
Dental and vision coverage with 90% employee and 80% dependent coverage.
FSA and HSA options.
401(k) plan.
Paid parental leave, including leave for birthing and non-birthing parents and additional paid pregnancy leave for California employees.
Frequently catered lunches and team meals, plus company-covered meals when extra time or effort is required.
Fully stocked kitchen with unlimited snacks and drinks.
$100 monthly fitness stipend.
Onsite electric vehicle charging.