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Rainmaker is developing a modern precipitation enhancement cloud seeding system to address water scarcity globally. The company combines radar validation, weather-resistant unmanned aerial systems, and numerical weather modeling to make water abundant.
As Director of International Development, you will serve as the strategic bridge between Rainmaker's International Team and the U.S. federal government. You will own the company's engagement with the Department of State, building programs, partnerships, and funding pathways that connect American precipitation enhancement technology with the water security needs of partner nations. This role recognizes that water scarcity is fundamentally a geopolitical challenge, and positions Rainmaker's cloud seeding technology as the solution partner nations turn to.
Key responsibilities include:
• Own Rainmaker's end-to-end relationship with the Department of State, including regional and functional bureaus, embassies, country teams, and offices shaping science, environment, energy, and technology diplomacy. Build durable relationships with senior career and political leadership.
• Develop international programs alongside the International Team and partners, then identify and secure federal funding vehicles including foreign assistance mechanisms, development finance, export promotion, science and technology cooperation agreements, and multilateral channels. Lead proposal development, submission, and follow-through.
• Support Congressional relationships with the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees and their appropriations subcommittees. Develop legislative proposals and appropriations language; prepare member and staff briefing materials positioning cloud seeding as an instrument of American foreign policy.
• Serve as the International Team's primary interface with the U.S. government, translating partner-country requirements into actionable federal terms and translating federal policy shifts into guidance for the International Team. Coordinate closely with the Federal Affairs team to align international and domestic engagement.
• Build Rainmaker's presence across Washington's international affairs community, including NGOs, coalitions, and industry associations, establishing the network of validators and allies that gives Rainmaker standing on these issues.
• Track foreign cloud seeding and weather modification programs, assess their strategic implications, and monitor water security dynamics shaping partner-country demand.
• Support the International Team's engagement with foreign ministries, water and agriculture authorities, and multilateral institutions. Prepare principals for bilateral meetings, delegations, and site visits; coordinate U.S. government stakeholder involvement.
• Partner cross-functionally with the Global Head of Business Development, Head of International, Federal Affairs, technical teams, regulatory, communications, legal, and finance to align international strategy with company priorities, including export control, sanctions, anti-corruption, and disclosure obligations.
• Organize visits and field demonstrations for foreign officials, embassy staff, State Department leadership, and Congressional delegations to build first-hand understanding of the technology and its applications.
Requirements:
• 10+ years of experience in foreign policy, international affairs, or international government relations, including time in the Department of State, National Security Council, Congressional foreign policy or foreign operations role, development or export finance institution, international organization, or international affairs function of a comparable company.
• Demonstrated command of geopolitics and how technology, resources, and strategic competition intersect, with credibility to both policymakers and commercial partners.
• Working fluency in emerging technology policy, including autonomous systems, export controls, technology transfer, and how emerging technologies are negotiated in bilateral and multilateral settings.
• Track record of developing international programs and securing government funding, including familiarity with foreign assistance appropriations and federal grant and cooperative agreement mechanics.
• Current relationships across the State Department, Congressional foreign policy committees, and Washington's international affairs community.
• Experience working directly with foreign government counterparts, embassies, and international partners, with appropriate cultural and protocol judgment.
• Familiarity with compliance landscape governing international engagement (FARA, LDA, ITAR/EAR, FCPA, sanctions regimes).
• Ability to operate as both strategist and hands-on operator in a fast-paced startup environment, comfortable building a function from the ground up.
• Bachelor's degree required. Foreign language proficiency and active or recent security clearance eligibility are bonuses.
• Must be based in DC with willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally for Hill engagement, agency meetings, partner-country visits, coalition work, and project site demonstrations.
