Director of Federal Affairs

Mainspring Energy manufactures and delivers fuel-flexible, low-emissions local power solutions that rapidly add new capacity and deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric power. The company began commercial shipments of its Mainspring Linear Generators in 2020 and today has hundreds of megawatts in advanced development and field operations for leading Fortune 500 companies, data centers, and utilities. Mainspring also partners with global energy leaders including AEP, NextEra Energy Resources, Schneider Electric, and more.

The core values that ground our work, guide our decisions, and connect us together:

• Pragmatic Optimism
• Excellence without Ego
• Proactive Collaboration

Job Overview

Mainspring is seeking a strategic, highly connected Director or Senior Director of Federal Affairs to spearhead our advocacy, legislative, and regulatory initiatives in Washington, D.C. As a leader within our Business Development and Policy team, you will drive the federal strategy necessary to scale our dispatchable and fuel-flexible linear generator technology.

This role is focused on elevating the awareness and relevance of Mainspring’s Linear Generator technology across various levels of the federal government and agencies. You will serve as the primary point of contact for executive branch agencies, the administration, congressional offices, and key congressional committees, while seamlessly managing our external lobbying firms.

Key Responsibilities

Federal Advocacy & Strategy: Develop and execute comprehensive advocacy strategies to advance Mainspring’s priorities within the White House, Department of Energy (DOE), Department of War, and Department of Commerce

Capital & Policy Alignment: Identify, pursue, and secure high-value federal funding opportunities, including government investment programs, loan programs, and strategic public-private partnerships

Legislative Engagement: Formulate and advance legislative priorities on the Hill; maintain robust relationships with key Senate and House offices and committees to shape energy and infrastructure policy

Coalition & Relationship Management: Actively build and manage strategic alliances with industry associations, non-governmental organizations, and corporate partners to amplify Mainspring’s policy voice

Lobbying Management: Direct and collaborate with external D.C. lobbying firms to maximize impact and ensure alignment with corporate commercial objectives

Business Development: Work to scale sales via US government channels either via international partnerships or with government agencies

Qualifications

Experience: 15+ years of experience in domestic and international public affairs, energy policy, or government relations, with a deep understanding of domestic and international energy policy

Administration & Hill Expertise: Proven track record of working effectively inside or directly with the current administration, executive branch agencies, and major congressional committees

Deal Architecture: Demonstrated background in energy financing structures, government appropriations, and bringing large-scale federal deals or loan portfolios to execution

Clearances: Active or prior eligibility for high-level government security clearances (e.g., TS/SCI or Q clearance) is highly preferred

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs, Political Science, Economics, International Relations, or a related field; advanced degree preferred

Location: Based full-time in Washington, D.C. (Required)

Travel: ability to travel on occasion

Does your experience not meet all of our posted requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to positions unless they meet every listed requirement. At Mainspring, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, flexible, and collaborative environment, so if you want to help us transition the world to clean and affordable electricity, and don’t meet all posted requirements for a particular role, we’d still love to hear from you. Mainspring can sometimes be flexible enough to shift responsibilities for the right person, or otherwise identify open or upcoming roles that may better fit your professional background.

In more traditional words, Mainspring Energy, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

This compensation and benefits information is based on Mainspring Energy's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. We generally do not negotiate on salary once we have made an offer. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise. New hires joining the company tend to be paid within the starting base pay range noted above, with opportunities to increase pay over time based on development of additional skills, competencies, and company-specific knowledge.