Federal Programs Director Jobs in Poolesville, MD

Hexium is rebuilding America's domestic isotope enrichment capability by modernizing Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation (AVLIS) into a scalable industrial platform. Beginning with lithium isotope enrichment and expanding into additional critical isotopes over time, our mission strengthens U.S. energy security, national security, advanced manufacturing, and the long-term resilience of the domestic nuclear fuel cycle.

As Hexium advances from laboratory demonstration toward commercial deployment, strong federal partnerships will be essential to accelerating commercialization, securing strategic investment, and supporting the deployment of our technology. 

The Vice President of Federal Partnerships & Government Affairs reports directly to the CEO and leads Hexium's federal partnership and funding strategy. This is a highly execution-oriented role at the intersection of federal partnerships, business development, and government affairs. The VP will identify, structure, negotiate, and manage federal agreements and non-dilutive funding opportunities that advance Hexium's technology and commercialization objectives.

We're looking for a leader who understands how federal programs translate into executable partnerships — including how Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and the national laboratories fund technology development and deployment, how different agreement and financing mechanisms are structured, and how to navigate opportunities from initial identification through negotiation and execution.

Successful candidates may come from federal program management, national laboratory partnerships or technology transfer, nuclear-sector business development and capture, or government affairs. More important than a particular career path is direct experience securing and executing substantive federal partnerships and funding.

• Develop and execute Hexium's federal partnership and funding strategy with the CEO and executive leadership.
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of relevant programs and funding priorities across DOE, NNSA, and the national laboratories.
• Identify and evaluate federal funding and partnership opportunities for strategic fit with Hexium's technology roadmap and commercialization objectives.
• Monitor federal budgets, appropriations, and program developments affecting isotope enrichment and the nuclear fuel cycle, translating them into actionable recommendations for the CEO.

• Lead structuring and negotiation of federal and national laboratory agreements (e.g. OTAs, CRADAs, SPPs, cooperative agreements, and similar mechanisms).
• Lead or directly support capture and proposal strategy for relevant funding opportunity announcements (e.g. BAAs, RFPs, and other competitive federal opportunities).
• Serve as executive owner of agreements post-execution, coordinating milestones, compliance, and deliverables across technical, legal, regulatory, and finance teams.

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with federal program staff, agreements and contracting officials, and national laboratory partnership organizations.
• Represent Hexium at industry days, briefings, national laboratory partnership forums, and relevant industry conferences.
• Engage Congressional offices as appropriate to support program awareness and appropriations priorities.
• Coordinate outside consultants, government affairs advisors, and counsel supporting Hexium's federal engagement.

• 8+ years of relevant experience in one or more of: federal program management/agreements/contracting at DOE, NNSA, or a related agency; national laboratory technology transfer or strategic partnerships; nuclear-sector or federal-contracting business development and capture; or government affairs with direct responsibility for funding-bearing partnerships. 
• Direct, hands-on experience securing or negotiating at least one substantive federal funding or partnership mechanism (e.g., OTA, CRADA, SPP, cooperative agreement, competitive grant, or federal financing program).
• Demonstrated ability to identify relevant federal opportunities and lead or materially contribute to capture and proposal efforts.
• Working knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle, advanced nuclear technologies, or a closely related technical field.
• Ability to translate complex technical, commercial, and legal considerations into clear, executable partnership strategies for government, national laboratory, and executive  stakeholders. 
• Strong negotiation, judgment, and executive communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree.
• For candidates currently or recently employed by the federal government, ability to represent Hexium in substantive engagements with the DOE, NNSA, national laboratories, and other federal stakeholders relevant to this role within a reasonably short period after joining, without post-employment or cooling-off restrictions that would materially limit performance of the role's core responsibilities. 
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance; compliance with export control regulations

• Prior experience at DOE, NNSA, a DOE national laboratory, or an organization that regularly partners with these institutions.
• Experience negotiating multiple types of DOE or national laboratory agreements.
• Experience supporting a DOE Loan Programs Office loan guarantee or another complex federal financing process.
• Existing relationships with career program staff, agreements/contracting officials, or national laboratory partnership organizations.
• Existing DOE or DOD security clearance.
• Advanced degree in public policy, law, business, engineering, or a related field.

• Frequent travel to Washington, DC required for federal agency and congressional engagement

• Stock Options
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) Matching
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• HSA & FSAs

E-Verify: Hexium Inc. participates in E-Verify. All new hires are required to complete the I-9 employment eligibility verification form and provide documentation to confirm their identity and authorization to work in the United States.

Pre-Employment Screening: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. 

Hexium Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit 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. Hexium Inc. is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities upon request. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process,  please contact Hexium's Human Resources at HR@hexium.com.