Government Contracts & Proposals Lead

Icarus Robotics is building the robotic workforce for space industrialization. We're developing dexterous robots that can be teleoperated from Earth to automate routine tasks inside space stations, dramatically reducing operational costs, increasing throughput and unlocking the astronaut labor bottleneck.

We've raised over $12M in capital from top-tier investors in deep tech and space, we're rapidly expanding our team and accelerating our development timeline. Our engineers work directly with NASA and collaborate with some of the largest aerospace companies on next-generation space technologies. We've secured partnerships with commercial LEO destination companies who will host our robots on future space stations, creating a clear path to orbit for our technology. We're now preparing for our first ISS test mission — a key step toward full orbital deployment.

We believe in an industrialized low-Earth orbit this decade and we’re making it happen.

As our Government Contracts & Proposals Lead, you'll own how Icarus wins and manages government work. You'll lead our relationships with government customers and run proposals and solicitation responses across the company, from spotting an opportunity to submitting a compliant, compelling package. From time to time, you'll also support commercial business development and help move commercial deals through the contracting cycle.

You'll work directly with the Co-Founders and our engineering team, and you'll build our contracts and proposals function from the ground up.

You will help put robots in space.

• Lead Icarus's relationships with government customers, program offices, and contracting officers, working alongside the Co-Founders to turn conversations into funded work.

• Own the proposal process end to end: track and qualify opportunities, drive bid/no-bid decisions, build compliance matrices, set schedules, and deliver on-time, compliant submissions.

• Respond to SBIR/STTR topics, BAAs, CSOs, RFIs, RFPs, and other solicitations from NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and other federal agencies.

• Write and edit proposal volumes, partnering with our engineers to turn technical work into clear, persuasive responses.

• Build cost and price volumes, including labor rates, indirect rates, and budget justifications.

• Negotiate awards and manage contracts after award: modifications, deliverables, invoicing, and reporting.

• Maintain our federal registrations and compliance posture with outside counsel, including SAM.gov, FAR/DFARS clauses and flowdowns, NIST SP 800-171/CMMC, and export control (ITAR/EAR).

• Support commercial business development and contracting cycles as needed, from NDAs and teaming agreements to subcontracts and partner agreements.

• Build the templates, pipeline tracking, and processes that let a small team compete with much larger ones.

• 5+ years of experience in government contracting, proposal management, or capture, ideally in aerospace, defense, or deep tech.

• A track record of leading federal proposals from solicitation release through submission and award.

• Working knowledge of the FAR and DFARS, common contract types (FFP, cost-reimbursement), Other Transactions, SBIR/STTR, and the federal acquisition lifecycle.

• Excellent writing and editing skills; you can turn complex technical material into clear, compliant, persuasive responses.

• Highly organized and deadline-driven; you can run several pursuits in parallel without dropping details.

• Comfortable representing the company with government customers, contracting officers, and senior partners.

• U.S. person status (see Export Control below).

• Prior experience as a government contracting officer, contract specialist, or acquisition program manager.

• Experience with NASA, Space Force, AFWERX/SpaceWERX, DIU, or DARPA programs.

• Cost and pricing expertise, such as indirect rate development, DCAA-compliant accounting, or FAR Part 31 cost principles.

• Experience negotiating commercial agreements: NDAs, teaming agreements, MSAs, and subcontracts.

• Startup experience, or experience building a contracts function from scratch.

• An active security clearance, or eligibility to obtain one.

• Interest in or familiarity with aerospace, robotics, or deep tech industries.

• Generous equity as an early team member.

• Generous Commission on winning proposals.

• Competitive salary: $130,000 - $190,000 depending on experience.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• A monthly lifestyle spending account through Joon - use it for gym memberships, fitness classes, wellness, and more

• Access to cutting-edge tools and the autonomy to move fast.

• Collaboration with top-tier investors, NASA teams, and industry leaders.

• A foundational role in shaping the future of in-space robotics and orbital manufacturing.

We're based at Newlab in Brooklyn, NYC.

This is a full-time hybrid/remote role open to candidates anywhere in the U.S. (DC-area candidates encouraged). You must be willing to travel to NYC to meet and work with the team, and to represent Icarus at select industry and government events.

This role involves access to information subject to U.S. export control regulations (ITAR/EAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals such as refugees and asylees.