Director, European Government Operations
Rocket Lab
Salary undisclosed
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Description
ABOUT ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.
DIRECTOR – EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
As the Director – European Government Operations, based in Munich/ Berlin, Germany, you will lead Rocket Lab’s government affairs strategy across Germany and the broader European region. You will play a critical role in advancing Rocket Lab’s business objectives by shaping policy environments, building strategic government relationships, and ensuring alignment between Government Affairs and Business Development. In this role, you will work at the intersection of aerospace innovation, national security, and European public-sector engagement. To be successful, you must be results‑oriented, proactive, politically astute, and deeply comfortable operating in complex, fast‑moving environments. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space.
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO
- Build and lead Rocket Lab’s in‑house European Government Operations function, delivering the same level of strategic support and government engagement the company receives in the U.S. market
- Develop and lead Rocket Lab’s government affairs strategy in Germany and across Europe, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and business development objectives
- Build and maintain high‑impact relationships with key German federal stakeholders, including the Bundestag, DLR, Ministry of Defense, and relevant regulatory and executive agencies
- Establish and grow Rocket Lab’s presence with government entities and innovation ecosystems in Munich and other strategic European hubs
- Partner closely with the Business Development team to support market expansion, customer engagement, and pursuit of government‑funded programs
- Shape and influence policy discussions related to space, defense, launch, and emerging technologies, ensuring Rocket Lab’s interests are represented and understood
- Provide strategic guidance on political, regulatory, and industrial‑policy developments across Europe, identifying opportunities and risks for business
- Represent Rocket Lab in industry associations, working groups, and public‑sector forums to strengthen the company’s visibility and credibility
- Drive measurable business outcomes through targeted government engagement not only monitoring policy trends but actively shaping them
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on European political dynamics, defense priorities, and government procurement pathways
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, public policy, law, economics, engineering, or a related field
- 12+ years of experience in government affairs, public policy, defense, aerospace, or related strategic roles within Germany or Europe
- Professional fluency in German and English
- Demonstrated success building and managing relationships with senior government officials, policymakers, and public‑sector institutions
- Proven ability to drive business‑aligned outcomes through government engagement, not solely policy monitoring
- Strong understanding of European political structures, defense priorities, and government procurement processes
- Ability to operate autonomously, set strategy, and execute in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE
- Background in space, aerospace, defense, or dual‑use technology sectors
- Experience working with or within institutions such as DLR, MOD, Bundestag committees, EU defense bodies, or national innovation agencies
- Prior roles in business development, defense industrial policy, or public‑sector consulting
- Experience working in Munich’s government, defense, or technology ecosystem
- Familiarity with NATO, EU defense initiatives, and cross‑border industrial‑cooperation frameworks
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
Important information:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.
About this role
Rocket Lab is building out its European government affairs capability from the ground up, and this director role is the linchpin. You'll establish and run the company's government operations function across Germany and the broader European region, reporting from Munich or Berlin. This means developing strategy, cultivating relationships with federal stakeholders like the Bundestag and Ministry of Defense, and actively shaping policy conversations around space, defense, and emerging technologies—not just monitoring them. You'll work closely with Business Development to unlock government contracts and market opportunities, positioning Rocket Lab as a credible player in Europe's defense and space sectors.
The role demands someone with deep roots in European government affairs and political acumen. You'll need at least twelve years in government relations, defense, aerospace, or policy work, fluent German and English, and a track record of translating political relationships into business results. Experience with German institutions, EU defense frameworks, or the Munich tech ecosystem is valuable. This is an autonomous leadership position in a fast-moving company, so you must be comfortable setting strategy, operating under pressure, and delivering outcomes in complex environments.
If you've worked in defense industrial policy, space or aerospace sectors, or within institutions like DLR or the German Ministry of Defense, you're well-positioned for this. The role is full-time and in-office, reflecting the relationship-building intensity the work requires.
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