SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
We are seeking a Director of the X Government Affairs team to support X’s business and growth objectives through direct federal lobbying efforts and strategic coalition building on a range of issues including real-time news, social media and artificial intelligence.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own the support of the X Government Affairs team by serving as a front-line advocate for X on key policy areas, including broadband, artificial intelligence, and other related issues
- Shape X legislative strategies, tactics, and policy development for the federal government
- Develop, maintain, and build-upon a network of relationships with federal government officials, lawmakers, and regulatory decision-makers, as appropriate
- Oversee and manage consultants and third-parties engaged in X Government Affairs matters
- Draft legislative language, attend hearings, draft hearing testimony, and develop policy positions
- Monitor and analyze domestic policy developments
- Prepare presentations, deliverables and key metrics for X leadership
- Perform research as needed, develop policy and collateral materials
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 10+ years of professional experience working on legislative matters in the private sector or a government organization
- 4+ years of direct people leadership experience managing government affairs teams/ personnel
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Advanced degree (MA, JD, PhD) in science, policy, or political science, international affairs, or another relevant field
- Outstanding written and verbal communications skills
- Experience working on policy issues at federal regulatory agencies or legislative committees/bodies
- Direct experience in achieving definitive legislative outcomes
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems
- Demonstrated ability to forge coalitions and partnerships
- Passion for X's mission and goals
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to travel, <25%
- Must be willing to attend political and industry events on behalf of X
- Flexibility required, including long hours and weekend work when necessary to support operations and critical project timelines
- This position is based in Washington, DC and requires being onsite – remote work not considered
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 3: $190,000.00 - $270,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- 10+ years professional experience working on legislative matters in the private sector or a government organization
- 4+ years of direct people leadership experience managing government affairs teams/personnel
- Must be willing to travel, less than 25%
- Must be willing to attend political and industry events on behalf of X
- Flexibility required, including long hours and weekend work when necessary
- Position based in Washington, DC and requires being onsite (remote not considered)
- ITAR eligibility: must be U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee, Asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
- Advanced degree (MA, JD, PhD) in relevant field
- Outstanding written and verbal communications skills
- Experience working on policy issues at federal regulatory agencies or legislative committees/bodies
- Direct experience in achieving definitive legislative outcomes
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems
- Demonstrated ability to forge coalitions and partnerships
- Passion for X's mission and goals
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
-
Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
-
Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
-
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
