About the role
Sierra Space Careers: At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth.
Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond.
Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space.
We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.
About the Role Sierra Space is seeking a high-performing Legislative Affairs Manager to support and advance the company's federal legislative strategy and help translate business, program, and growth priorities into effective congressional engagement. The role will develop and manage relationships with congressional personal-office staff, support legislative strategy and advocacy, lead congressional site visits and engagements, oversee the company's Political Action Committee (PAC) , and provide analytical and operational support across the Government Relations & Strategic Communications organization.
This role is designed for a high-performing government relations professional who combines strong political judgment and relationship-building skills with exceptional analytical, organizational, and written communication capabilities. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to take on increasing legislative responsibility as experience and relationships grow.
The position requires someone who can move comfortably between external advocacy and internal execution: building trusted relationships on Capitol Hill, collaborating closely with business and program leaders, preparing senior executives for key engagements, and ensuring the Government Relations & Strategic Communications team operates with disciplined planning, tracking, and follow-through. About You Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission.
We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.
The Legislative Affairs Manager is a key member of the Government Relations team, responsible for providing expert analysis, strategic insights, and high-level advocacy to influence public policy and legislative actions. This senior-level position requires extensive experience in government operations, policy analysis, and public affairs, with a focus on the U.S. Federal budget process and legislative activities related to the Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA. The role involves representing Sierra Space at high-profile industry events, government meetings, and with senior executives.
In this role, you will conduct expert-level research and analysis on legislative, regulatory, and policy issues relevant to the organization. You will monitor and provide strategic insights on federal government activities, including legislation, regulations, and budget processes, with a focus on Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA programs. Additionally, you will prepare comprehensive reports, briefs, and presentations on findings to support the Government Relations team and senior leadership. You will develop and implement advanced advocacy strategies and campaigns to influence public policy and legislative actions while maintaining and leveraging a deep understanding of the hierarchy and structure of decisional authority within legislative and National Security organizations. Tracking and reporting on key legislative and regulatory developments, you will provide actionable recommendations to drive organizational strategies. Representing Sierra Space externally at high-profile industry events, government meetings, and with senior executives and officials, you will build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, agencies, and industry partners. Furthermore, you will lead and manage complex projects and processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and the timely completion of deliverables, while mentoring and providing guidance to junior members of the Government Relations team.
Key Responsibilities • Coordinate and support Sierra Space's legislative affairs strategy to advance strategic business priorities and growth initiatives, including engagement with Members of Congress and congressional personal-office staff to build understanding and support for Sierra Space programs and capabilities. • Develop and maintain trusted relationships with congressional personal-office staff, serving as a day-to-day point of contact for a portfolio of House and Senate offices relevant to Sierra Space's business and policy priorities. • Support broader congressional engagement, including coordination with relevant committee staff when appropriate and in partnership with senior Government Relations & Strategic Communications leadership. • Monitor congressional activity, legislation, hearings, markups, policy developments, and other activity relevant to Sierra Space; synthesize developments into concise, actionable updates for internal stakeholders. • Manage Sierra Space's congressional engagement process, including content development, briefing materials, white papers, engagement tracking, and follow-up. • Coordinate and support executive engagements in the Washington, D.C. area, including congressional meetings and other priority government stakeholder engagements. • Lead and oversee visits by Members of Congress and congressional staff to Sierra Space facilities, partnering across the business to establish objectives and message, coordinate agendas, briefing materials, executive preparation, security, communications, and site logistics. • Develop trusted relationships across Sierra Space's businesses, programs, and functions to ensure Government Relations & Strategic Communications priorities are informed by business objectives and to maximize the function's impact on company growth initiatives and strategic captures. • Partner closely with business and program teams to understand company capabilities, customer priorities, program developments, and growth objectives and translate them into effective congressional engagement. • Build and maintain trusted relationships with federal agency staff as appropriate, industry associations, coalition partners, and industry stakeholders. • Manage and grow the Sierra Space PAC, including solicitation planning, participation and contribution tracking, fundraising activity, and strategic giving support; oversee the outside PAC administration and compliance firm responsible for required filings and day-to-day compliance activities. • Coordinate closely with Sierra Space's outside government relations’ consultants, helping align advocacy activities, congressional outreach, deliverables, and consultant support with company priorities. • Own and maintain key Government Relations & Strategic Communications operating tools, including budget tracking, consultant and contact trackers, congressional engagement, legislative trackers, team priorities, etc. • Coordinate and develop routine Government Relations & Strategic Communications updates and other recurring leadership reporting, gathering inputs across the team and distilling activity into clear, decision-useful summaries. • Support preparation for Executive Leadership Team and Board engagements, including presentations, briefing materials, dashboards, background research, and coordination of inputs across the Government Relations & Strategic Communications team. • Conduct research and analysis on legislative, political, policy, budget, customer, and industry issues relevant to Sierra Space and translate findings into concise recommendations or briefing products. • Help coordinate cross-functional Government Relations & Strategic Communications priorities, deadlines, deliverables, and follow-up to ensure commitments and leadership requests are completed on time. • Support special projects and emerging priorities for the Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Strategic Communications and the broader organization.
Minimum Qualifications: • Requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +3 years of experience). • Typically 5+ years of related experience, including time as mid-level professional staff on Capitol Hill or within U.S. government agencies and/or National Security organizations. • Demonstrated experience providing expert analysis of federal budgets and the legislative process. • Experience representing government offices or industry interests externally before senior government officials and/or senior executives. • Knowledge of the requirements and resourcing processes within the Department of Defense and NASA. • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with congressional staff and other external stakeholders. • Strong understanding of the federal legislative process and congressional organization. • Strong project and process management skills. • Exceptional written communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into concise executive-level materials. • Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of judgment and discretion. • Demonstrated proficiency preparing presentations, briefing materials, trackers, and leadership-level reporting. • Ability to work collaboratively with technical, business, program, executive, and external stakeholders. • Willingness to register as a federal lobbyist as required by role responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications: • Extensive work experience in government relations, public policy, or a related field. • Proven track record of successful advocacy and lobbying efforts related to aerospace and defense. • Established relationships with stakeholders in the aerospace and defense sectors. • In-depth understanding of procurement processes and funding mechanisms within DoD and NASA. • Proficiency in using advanced data analysis tools and software relevant to government relations. • Strong leadership and mentorship skills, with the ability to guide and develop junior team members. • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide strategic insights and recommendations. • Ability to work independently and as part of a senior leadership team, driving initiatives and achieving organizational goals. • The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance
Compensation:
Pay Range: $136,633.00 - $187,870.00 Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.
Elevate Your Career At Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations.
We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.
Sierra Space is an industry-leading space and defense technology company providing satellites, spacecraft, and enabling mission systems and components. We deliver mission-proven technologies to our customers that safeguard our nation, protect space-based assets and enable space exploration.
Application Deadline: This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Please note: Sierra Space does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to Sierra Space team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of Sierra Space, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
Sierra Space Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.