Head of Government Business Development
Traysar · Washington
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Traysar is the world’s first subterra defense tech company. Through breakthroughs in military boring and subterranean autonomous systems, Traysar transforms the Earth’s crust into a three-dimensional maneuver space - enabling a new class of strike capabilities against previously unreachable targets and rapid underground protection of critical infrastructure for the United States and its allies. Traysar is backed by Lux Capital, Craft and Silent Ventures among notable angel investors including Steve Blank, the founders of Anduril, and early SpaceX engineers. For more information visit www.traysar.com . / x.com/traysartech
Job Summary
Traysar is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Government Business Development Director to lead the development and execution of Traysar’s government engagement strategy. This is an individual contributor hands-on role, with the potential to quickly grow into a leadership position. This is the first non-engineering role in the company.
The candidate will work directly with the founders to shape federal sales strategy, manage government opportunities, coordinate external lobby firms, and advocate for budgetary and policy initiatives that support Traysar’s business objectives, revenue growth, and contract acquisition.
The role will focus heavily on defense and national security stakeholders at the program and operational level, including Program Executive Offices (PEOs), Program Management Offices (PMOs), Army Corps of Engineers, military units, executive branch operational stakeholders, and other key government program-level decision makers.
Responsibilities
Develop and execute government relations strategies to strengthen Traysar’s reputation, elevate its industry positioning, and increase understanding of its business goals in Washington, DC.
Drive company efforts to support key defense and national security policies and funding priorities through engagement with the executive branch, program offices, and operational defense stakeholders.
Plan and execute program acquisition and adoption strategies to secure revenue opportunities, including direct engagement with PEOs, PMOs, military unit leadership, Army Corps of Engineers, and executive branch operational stakeholders.
Identify and engage the right Program Executive Authorities, military units, PEOs, and other government stakeholders to create funding pathways, including SBIR/STTR, NDAA line items, direct appropriations, and other defense innovation programs.
Navigate the federal budgetary, regulatory, and policy landscape affecting Traysar’s operations and long-term strategy.
Analyze federal budget processes to identify opportunities for funding, policy support, and program creation.
Manage external lobbyists and consultants, coordinating DC strategy and policy engagement efforts.
Collaborate directly with the founders to plan government sales strategy and set priorities across federal opportunities.
Own and manage the government sales funnel and CRM.
Prepare written materials including white papers, presentations, capability briefs, briefing documents, and other materials supporting Traysar’s federal business objectives with program and operational stakeholders.
Monitor and engage with annual defense program acquisition cycles, requirements development, and budget execution priorities across the executive branch, with a focus on operational adoption and program-level opportunities.
Represent Traysar before industry groups, think tanks, governmental bodies, and other strategic forums to increase visibility and support for company initiatives.
Basic Qualifications
7+ years of experience in national security, government relations, federal legislative roles, federal executive roles, or comparable defense industry government affairs positions.
Significant experience with U.S. federal budget, appropriations, authorization, and policymaking processes.
Strong understanding of how federal policy and budget processes impact defense business development, revenue generation, and contract acquisition.
Extensive experience in defense, national security, or homeland security, including executive branch, military, PEO/PMO, or defense industry exposure.
Proven record of supporting program acquisition cycles, requirements development, and operational adoption of new capabilities within defense or national security contexts.
Ability to develop and sustain strategic relationships with PEOs, PMOs, military unit leadership, Army Corps of Engineers, and executive branch operational stakeholders, as well as relevant industry associations.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including experience preparing briefing materials, policy memos, white papers, and presentations.
Demonstrated ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, decision-oriented startup environment.
Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Existing relationships within DoD program offices, Army Corps of Engineers, relevant PEOs, military units, or national security agencies.
Experience with SBIR/STTR programs and defense innovation pathways, including DIU, DARPA, AAL, and similar programs.
Experience with defense appropriations, NDAA strategy, congressional plus-ups, directed funding, or program creation.
Strong coalition-building skills with the ability to navigate complex policy, budget, and stakeholder landscapes.
CRM and pipeline management experience in a government sales or federal business development context.
Experience working with or managing external lobby firms, consultants, or strategic advisors.
Experience in underground/subterranean systems, autonomous systems, robotics, combat engineering, heavy equipment, or defense technology is a plus.
ITAR / EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
This position requires access to technical data, software, and/or hardware controlled under U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a "U.S. person" as defined in 22 C.F.R. § 120.62, which includes a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (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 (Directorate of Defense Trade Controls) and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. Learn more about the ITAR at https://www.pmddtc.state.gov.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Traysar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Traysar are based on merit, competence, qualifications, and business need, and are not influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law, regulation, executive order, or government contract), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Traysar is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and interview process. To request an accommodation, contact louise@traysar.com.
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