Regulatory Permitting Specialist

About the role

The hire will own the full lifecycle of state and local regulatory pathways for Rainmaker's domestic cloud seeding programs, translating complex and fragmented requirements into actionable, time-bound plans. They will be responsible for scoping every regulatory obligation before operations begin, ensuring no permit, license, or environmental review is overlooked for any jurisdiction where Rainmaker intends to operate. This role demands ownership of the complete submission process, from initial scoping through final authorization, reporting, and renewal, with a focus on preventing missed deadlines that could halt field activities. The specialist will build and maintain durable relationships with state permitting boards, water resource agencies, and environmental regulators across the western United States, representing Rainmaker as a compliant and reliable partner. They will partner closely with Program Management and the Director of Regulatory & Compliance to align regulatory schedules with operational timelines and to surface risks early. The hire is expected to continuously challenge existing processes, creating reusable templates, playbooks, and standardized submission packages that scale efficiently as Rainmaker expands into new states and counties.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Scope the complete set of state and local regulatory requirements for each new cloud seeding program, including precipitation enhancement permits, operator licensing, state environmental and air quality approvals, water resource agency coordination, and applicable local permits.
• Develop and maintain a state-by-state regulatory playbook that documents requirements, lead times, agency points of contact, and submission templates for every jurisdiction where Rainmaker operates or plans to operate.
• Partner with Program Management to align regulatory timelines with contracted operational start dates and flag schedule risks early, enabling proactive mitigation and contingency planning.
• Draft, submit, and shepherd state weather modification permits and operator license applications across all relevant jurisdictions, managing each submission from initial draft through final authorization.
• Manage state-level environmental approvals, including coordination with state EPA-equivalent agencies, air quality determinations, and any state environmental review comparable to CEQA or similar frameworks.
• Coordinate with state water boards, water resource departments, and atmospheric resources agencies as required by each state's cloud seeding program conditions.
• Respond to agency requests for information, prepare timely amendments, and manage the full lifecycle of each authorization through issuance, renewal, and modification.
• Own NOAA Form 17-4 reporting under 15 CFR Part 908, including initial activity reports, interim reports, and final post-campaign reports, ensuring accuracy and consistency across programs.
• Prepare and submit all state seasonal reports, post-operations summaries, and compliance documentation required by issued permits and licenses, maintaining strict adherence to submission deadlines.
• Maintain a master compliance calendar for all domestic state and local obligations, tracking filing due dates, confirmation receipts, and regulator acknowledgments to ensure nothing is missed.
• Maintain complete authorization records, renewal schedules, and audit trails in a reliable system of record, enabling quick retrieval for any regulator at any time.
• Serve as the primary regulatory point of contact for Program Managers throughout the operational season, providing clear guidance on permit conditions, reporting obligations, and in-season regulatory issues.
• Capture lessons learned from each program and feed them into state-specific playbooks, submission templates, and internal publications to improve efficiency and reduce future risk.
• Support Business Development and Government Affairs in evaluating regulatory feasibility and timelines for prospective new programs in new states or counties, including pre-engagement scoping and high-level pathway assessments.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience preparing and submitting state-level regulatory applications, permits, or licenses for weather modification, cloud seeding, or similar atmospheric programs.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and submitting state environmental compliance documentation, including coordination with state EPA or equivalent agencies and understanding of state-level review processes.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and submitting state water rights or water resource agency applications, coordination, or approvals related to weather modification activities.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and submitting NOAA Form 17-4 and related federal reporting requirements under 15 CFR Part 908 for weather modification programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex regulatory timelines and ensuring on-time submission of all required filings across multiple jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply state regulatory requirements, statutes, and agency guidance to operational activities in at least one western U.S. state.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain state-by-state regulatory playbooks, including tracking requirements, lead times, contacts, and submission history.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for engaging with state regulators, agency staff, and internal stakeholders to clarify requirements and resolve questions.

Nice to have

• Experience with UAS operations and the associated regulatory environment, including coordination with FAA and state-level aviation authorities.
• Experience supporting government affairs efforts related to weather modification policy at the state or federal level.

Practical notes

• This role is based in El Segundo, California.
• This is a full-time position.
• This role may require occasional travel to state regulatory offices and field sites in western U.S. locations as program schedules require.
• Start date and exact hours are to be determined in coordination with hiring management.