Atlantic Council – Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Listed on Orbital Diplomat 14 Jul 2026
The Atlantic Council's Forward Defense program, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, leads the Council's US and global defence programming — developing actionable recommendations on defence policy, force design, military applications of advanced technology, strategic deterrence, AI, and space security. Forward Defense explicitly names space security as a core workstream, alongside nuclear deterrence, missile defence, and long-range precision strike. This Assistant Director position is specifically designed to build out and lead Forward Defense's space security programme of work, reporting to the Associate Director. The postholder will take a leading independent role developing Forward Defense's space security workstream through business development, grant and partnership proposal writing, donor reporting, and thought leadership — while contributing substantively to research and writing on space deterrence, space-based command and control, counterspace threats, dual-use space technology, and missile defence. The role combines programme management, research, editorial coordination, and stakeholder engagement — including with defence industry, commercial space sector, US and foreign government partners, and academic institutions. For mid-career space security professionals seeking to move into or advance within the Washington think tank ecosystem, this is a rare opportunity to build a dedicated space security programme at one of the most prominent foreign policy institutions in the world.
Bachelor's degree in a related field; graduate degree strongly preferred Minimum 2 years of full-time work experience with transferable operational, project management, and substantive knowledge in defence and security Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in US space security, including space deterrence, counterspace capabilities, and the strategic forces portfolio Exceptional organisational, writing, editing, and verbal communication skills Strong network among key stakeholders in US defence and security including government, academia, and think tanks Experience in project management, event management, and stakeholder management Desirable: experience in business development, budget management, and grant proposal writing Desirable: experience managing interns or leading staff in a collaborative team setting