Cyclic Materials™ is building a resilient circular supply chain for rare earth elements and other critical materials. Through our proprietary MagCycle℠ and REEPure℠ processes, we recover rare earths from end-of-life products and transform them into high purity materials used in the production of permanent magnets. These materials are critical to the modern economy, including the production of electric vehicles, electronics, AI infrastructure, wind turbines, defense, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Founded in 2021, Cyclic Materials has rapidly progressed from technology development to commercialization. We currently operate facilities in Ontario and Arizona, with a new expansion underway in South Carolina. Backed by US$75 million in Series C financing led by T. Rowe Price, alongside strategic investors including Microsoft, Amazon, Hitachi Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion fund, Energy Impact Partners, ArcTern Ventures, and Fifth Wall, we are scaling to meet growing global demand for a secure and sustainable rare earth supply.
We have established commercial partnerships with global industry leaders such as Solvay, Vattenfall, Lime, and VACUUMSCHMELZE, enabling the deployment of recycled rare earth materials into real world supply chains. In 2025, Cyclic Materials was named one of the Top 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch by MIT Technology Review.
We are growing quickly and building the industrial backbone required for a circular rare earth economy. Joining Cyclic Materials means working on complex and exciting challenges at scale, alongside a team committed to executing and delivering measurable impact. If you are motivated by building critical infrastructure and advancing the circular economy, join us and help accelerate the growth of rare earth recycling.
Position Overview
As demand for resilient domestic supply chains continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced Director Defense Contracts to lead our engagement with the U.S. Department of Defense, federal agencies, and the defense industrial base.
Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer (or Chief Executive Officer), this highly strategic role will be responsible for developing and executing Cyclic Materials' government and defense market strategy. The successful candidate will identify and secure government-funded opportunities, establish strategic partnerships with defense contractors and federal agencies, and position Cyclic Materials as a trusted supplier supporting U.S. critical mineral security.
This role is ideally suited for a former military officer or senior government professional with an established network across the Department of Defense, defense agencies, and the U.S. defense industrial ecosystem.
The preferred location for this position is the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Candidates located elsewhere in the U.S. with convenient access to Washington, D.C. and the ability to travel regularly to support government and defense engagements are encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities
Defense & Government Strategy
- Develop and execute Cyclic Materials' U.S. defense and government engagement strategy.
- Position the company as a strategic partner supporting resilient domestic supply chains for rare earth elements and permanent magnets.
- Identify long-term opportunities aligned with U.S. national security priorities, industrial policy, and critical minerals initiatives.
- Serve as the company's primary representative within the defense and government community.
Government Business Development
- Identify, pursue, and secure government contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and strategic funding opportunities.
- Build relationships with key stakeholders across:
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Homeland Security
- National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)
- Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
- DARPA
- ARPA-E
- National Laboratories
- Other federal and state agencies supporting critical minerals and manufacturing
- Develop capture strategies for government solicitations and competitive procurement opportunities.
Defense Industrial Base Partnerships
- Establish strategic relationships with defense prime contractors, Tier 1 suppliers, aerospace manufacturers, and advanced technology companies.
- Identify opportunities to integrate recycled rare earth materials into defense supply chains.
- Develop commercial partnerships supporting secure domestic sourcing of critical materials.
- Negotiate teaming agreements, strategic alliances, memoranda of understanding, and long-term commercial partnerships.
Contract Management & Capture
- Lead the pursuit of federal contracts from opportunity identification through proposal submission and award.
- Coordinate cross-functional proposal teams including Commercial, Engineering, Legal, Finance, and Operations.
- Support pricing strategy, contract negotiations, and compliance requirements.
- Ensure successful execution of awarded government contracts in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
Government Relations & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build trusted relationships with government officials, military leadership, congressional staff, and industry associations.
- Monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting critical minerals, defense manufacturing, and supply chain security.
- Represent Cyclic Materials at government meetings, defense conferences, congressional briefings, and industry forums.
- Advocate for the role of recycled rare earth materials in strengthening domestic manufacturing and national resilience.
Corporate Strategy Support
- Collaborate with Executive Leadership on long-term government engagement strategy.
- Support corporate growth initiatives involving strategic partnerships, investments, and expansion into government markets.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Work closely with Engineering, Operations, Commercial, Finance, Legal, and Product teams to ensure government opportunities are effectively evaluated and executed.
- Support development of products and capabilities aligned with defense customer requirements.
- Help establish internal processes for government contracting, compliance, and reporting.
Industry Representation
- Represent Cyclic Materials at major defense industry events.
- Build Cyclic Materials' visibility and credibility within the defense ecosystem.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in business, Engineering, Political Science, Public Policy, Military Science, or a related field.
- MBA, or military staff college education is considered an asset.
- 5+ years of experience in government business development, defense contracting, federal sales, military acquisition, or strategic partnerships.
- Prior U.S. military service is strongly preferred.
- Existing network across the U.S. Department of Defense, defense agencies, Capitol Hill, or the defense industrial base is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated success securing government contracts, grants, or strategic partnerships.
- Experience working with defense prime contractors or aerospace and defense manufacturers is preferred.
- Strong understanding of national security, industrial policy, and critical minerals supply chains.
- Excellent executive communication, presentation, and relationship management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior government officials and executive stakeholders.
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and business development expertise.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance is preferred.
- U.S. citizenship is required.
Why You Will Love Cyclic Materials
- At Cyclic Materials, we're dedicated to supporting our workforce on their unique career journey
- We offer a competitive compensation package including Health and Dental coverage, RRSP (Canada)/ 401K (USA) contributions and a generous paid time off program that lets you recharge
- We value diversity and are committed to maintaining a workplace where everyone is respected and recognized for their contributions
The base compensation offered is determined based on the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, and competencies and considers internal equity.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, Cyclic Materials is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals have an opportunity to succeed. If you require accommodation at any stage of the interview process, please email [email protected]. Applicants for employment in the Canada and US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States or Canada and with Cyclic Materials (i.e., H1-B visa, F-1 visa (OPT), TN, L1-A visa or any other non-immigrant status).
To all applicants, your interest and effort are sincerely appreciated. While we thank everyone for their application, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Skills Required
- Master’s degree in business, engineering, political science, public policy, military science, or a related field
- 5+ years of experience in government business development, defense contracting, federal sales, military acquisition, or strategic partnerships
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance
- Prior U.S. military service
- Existing network across the U.S. Department of Defense, defense agencies, Capitol Hill, or the defense industrial base
- Demonstrated success securing government contracts, grants, or strategic partnerships
- Experience working with defense prime contractors or aerospace and defense manufacturers
- Strong understanding of national security, industrial policy, and critical minerals supply chains
- Excellent executive communication, presentation, and relationship management skills
- Ability to influence senior government officials and executive stakeholders
- Strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and business development expertise
What We Do
Cyclic Materials transforms yesterday’s waste into tomorrow’s critical materials. We’re creating a circular supply chain for the rare earth elements and critical materials that power our global economy, without compromising quality or environmental impact. Our proprietary two-phase process is unlocking value from discarded waste. Our MagCycle℠ technology simplifies the separation of rare earth magnets and critical metals from end-of-life electric vehicles, consumer electronics, wind turbines, and MRIs. Then our REEPure℠ technology restores those valuable materials back to their raw form, unlocking new revenue streams for metal buyers and feedstock companies. We are the only high-tech recycling company offering a scalable, efficient, and low-carbon recycling solution that complements mining on both quality and cost, and mitigates the risks associated with extraction. Cyclic Materials is setting a high bar for sustainable resource recovery. We’ve solved the barriers to creating a circular economy for rare earths, and our transparent, data-driven approach ensures the highest standards of sustainability and traceability, including rigorous Scope 3 carbon tracking and water efficiency. With USD $83.5M in funding, including USD $53M in Series B funding backed by partners like Microsoft and BMW i Ventures, we’re scaling our recycling infrastructure across North America and Canada to meet global demand. Cyclic Materials is establishing a more resilient, domestic supply chain for rare earths and critical metals, providing opportunity and value for global industries.
