Senior Manager of Government Programs and Business Development

A thriving economy in space is needed to make life on Earth more vibrant, sustainable, and equitable. Space technology will enable global access to information, solutions to climate change, answers to global food security, products that transform healthcare, clean energy production, and more. Today, rocket launch options are slow, expensive, and unreliable. Stoke is building the world’s most efficient fully and rapidly reusable rocket designed to fly daily that will radically increase access to space and open up the space economy to safeguard our precious home, Earth.  

Description

Reusable launch systems are key to seamlessly connecting Earth and space. Stoke Space is seeking a Senior Manager of Government Programs and Business Development to drive government customer adoption of our cutting-edge solutions and secure strategic contracts within the U.S. Intelligence Community and broader government sector. This role will shape our government engagement strategy, identify new business opportunities, and ensure customer success by understanding their needs and demonstrating our value. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of government acquisition, established networks, and a track record of exceeding goals in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive Government Product Adoption and Demonstrate Business Value: Develop and execute strategies to increase the adoption of our technologies and services within government agencies, clearly articulating and demonstrating the tangible value proposition and return on investment
• Strategic Collaboration for Long-Term Advantage: Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (engineering, product, sales, marketing) to align product development and business strategies with government needs, ensuring robust long-term strategic advantages
• Advise on Government Growth Initiatives: Provide expert guidance and insights on both organic and inorganic growth initiatives within the government space, identifying potential partnerships, acquisitions, and strategic alliances
• External Representation and Advocacy: Serve as a key external representative at industry events, conferences, and direct customer engagements, effectively communicating our vision, capabilities, and value to government partners
• Cultivate and Expand Government Partnerships: Proactively grow existing government business and strategically capture new business opportunities within the US Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, and other relevant government entities
• Ensure Customer Success and Resolve Issues: Collaborate effectively with internal teams to promptly and efficiently address customer inquiries, technical challenges, and programmatic needs, fostering strong and lasting government partnerships
• Deep Product Expertise and Customer Engagement: Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of our products, their deployment, and their unique value proposition to ensure high-quality, in-depth conversations and trusted advisor relationships with government customers

Qualifications

• Active Top-Secret Clearance with Full Scope Polygraph
• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
• Significant experience (8+ years preferred) working directly with the U.S. Intelligence Community, preferably within the aerospace or defense industries
• Demonstrated experience working for or in close partnership with startup companies, understanding the agility and demands of a high-growth environment
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time for customer meetings, industry events, and internal collaboration
• Proven track record of success in government business development, including opportunity identification, proposal development, and contract negotiation
• Substantial experience in customer-facing roles, building and maintaining strong relationships with government stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant STEM, Homeland Security, Political Science, or Business field
• Experience with specific government acquisition processes and contract vehicles relevant to the space industry
• Existing relationships and network within key government agencies relevant to Stoke Space's offerings
• Prior military experience, particularly in roles involving space operations, intelligence, acquisition, or program management

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance
• 401(k) match
• Paid time off
• Flexible scheduling
• Equity

Compensation

Target Level