Director, Permitting

About the role

Reflect Orbital is seeking a Director of Permitting to establish our regulatory operations from the ground up. You will define the framework for a first-of-its-kind industry, securing the necessary approvals to direct sunlight onto specific locations. This is a foundational role requiring direct engagement with regulators, landowners, and stakeholders to build a new path for orbital operations. You will own the end-to-end strategy for navigating the complex web of federal, state, and local regulations that govern our unique mission. The ideal candidate thrives in environments without rulebooks, creating structure where none exists and turning regulatory uncertainty into a clear, actionable plan. You will act as the primary architect of our compliance culture, ensuring that every application is thorough, defensible, and aligned with our business objectives. This position demands a proactive leader who can translate technical constraints into practical steps for the entire organization. Your work will directly enable the company's ability to operate responsibly and scale its impact in the aerospace sector.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Manage the full lifecycle of permitting and site-operating approvals for all target locations, from initial application to ongoing compliance.
• Create the company permitting playbook, establishing precedents where none currently exist for orbital-based operations.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies including the FAA and FCC to define operational requirements and clarify approval pathways.
• Negotiate directly with utilities, landowners, and local officials to gain site access, secure necessary rights, and build community support.
• Address concerns related to environmental impact, light pollution, and dark-sky preservation to ensure responsible and sustainable practices.
• Collaborate with engineering and legal teams to integrate regulatory constraints into mission design, preventing costly redesigns late in development.
• Represent the company in public hearings, stakeholder meetings, and internal presentations to advance permit applications and maintain positive relationships.
• Travel as needed to conduct in-person meetings, conduct field assessments, and resolve permitting obstacles at the source.
• Monitor changes in regulations and policy to identify potential impacts and adapt strategies proactively before issues arise.
• Develop and maintain detailed tracking systems for each jurisdiction, ensuring no submission or deadline is overlooked.
• Serve as the internal subject matter expert, training cross-functional teams on permitting requirements and compliance obligations.
• Lead the preparation of technical documentation, environmental assessments, and other materials required for regulatory review.
• Partner with external consultants and agencies to validate assumptions and confirm alignment with evolving standards.
• Drive consensus across diverse stakeholders by clearly articulating the company's intentions, capabilities, and commitment to public interest.

Requirements

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in regulatory affairs, permitting, government relations, or related infrastructure sectors.
• Background in aerospace, energy, or telecommunications is strongly preferred due to the technical nature of the mission.
• Demonstrated ability to build new processes within ambiguous or high-growth environments where standard procedures are not established.
• Proven skill in managing complex stakeholder relationships and navigating political landscapes at multiple levels of government.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical teams and public officials, translating complex concepts into clear, accessible language.
• Willingness to travel and perform hands-on work to secure project approvals, including site visits and in-person engagements.
• Strong judgment and discretion when handling sensitive information or high-stakes regulatory discussions.
• A track record of delivering results in situations where timelines are tight and dependencies are difficult to control.

Skills & tools

• Regulatory strategy and compliance
• Government relations and public affairs
• Stakeholder negotiation
• Project management in infrastructure or aerospace

Practical notes

• Reflect Orbital provides 100% coverage for base-level medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Benefits include HSA, FSA, 401K, daily healthy lunches, and unlimited PTO with a two-week annual minimum usage encouraged.
• The company is an equal opportunity employer.