Director, Federal Science Policy & Partnerships

Rainmaker; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) with employer matching

Full health coverage

Relocation assistance

Unlimited PTO

Parental leave

Job summary

Rainmaker seeks a Director of Science Policy to own engagement with DOE, NOAA, NSF and national laboratories, building durable relationships and winning federal proposals. The role leads legislative and appropriations strategy, coordinates with research teams, and drives coalition building across the atmospheric science community.

You will manage a live funding pipeline, translate complex science into funding opportunities, and travel domestically for Hill engagements and site visits, with a

Qualifications

• 5+ years in science policy, federal research administration, or government relations for a research-driven organization.
• Advanced degree in atmospheric science, physics, engineering, or related field.
• Working knowledge of federal research funding processes and merit review.
• Genuine scientific fluency and ability to represent Rainmaker accurately.
• Track record of building and winning competitive federal research proposals.
• Command of the science policy landscape and funding cycles.
• Existing relationships across federal science agencies and committees.
• Ability to operate as strategist and hands-on operator in a startup environment.
• Based in DC with willingness to travel domestically.

Responsibilities

• Own Rainmaker’s relationships across the federal research enterprise and build durable programmatic partnerships.
• Maintain a live pipeline of federal funding opportunities and help build winning proposals.
• Develop legislative proposals and appropriations language to expand funding space.
• Own relationships with key congressional committees and appropriations subcommittees.
• Represent Rainmaker across the atmospheric science community and build validators.
• Translate technical capabilities into policy-relevant terms for program managers.
• Coordinate with Federal Affairs and other functions to reinforce verticals.
• Organize visits for agency managers, lab leadership, staff, and collaborators.
• Lead the development of compelling federal grant proposals and secure resources.

Skills

Policy development

Federal funding knowledge

Relationship building

Proposal leadership

Education

Atmospheric science PhD

Physics/Engineering degree

Job description

Rainmaker seeks a Director of Science Policy to own engagement with DOE, NOAA, NSF and national laboratories, building durable relationships and winning federal proposals. The role leads legislative and appropriations strategy, coordinates with research teams, and drives coalition building across the atmospheric science community.

You will manage a live funding pipeline, translate complex science into funding opportunities, and travel domestically for Hill engagements and site visits, with a