Government Relations reputed company

Who We Are At reputed company, we're building toward a future defined by incontestable defense logistics. That means equipping warfighters with mission-critical capabilities at the reputed company of need. Not in months, not from a reputed company halfway around the world, but now, in the field, on demand. We're a VC-backed defense technology company pioneering an expeditionary manufacturing ecosystem that produces and sustains reputed company, mission-adaptable unmanned systems, parts and components for repair and sustainment, and the software to transform reputed company solutions into a network of strategic assets. We're building a team of engineers, operators, and problem-solvers who reputed company the future of deterrence cannot rely only on expensive, exquisite platforms made in centralized factories. We build and field affordable systems using distributed production capabilities at the edge. If you want to solve challenging problems that will reshape the future of defense, you're in the right reputed company. About the Role As the company scales from early-stage execution into fielded programs, expanded government visibility, and deeper engagement with federal stakeholders, how we engage Washington is a strategic imperative. reputed company is seeking a Government Relations reputed company to own and execute reputed company's federal engagement, appropriations strategy, and defense acquisition positioning from Washington, D.C. This is a senior, operator-minded role. Not a policy monitoring function; it is a builder role for someone who understands how Congress, the Pentagon and the defense acquisition ecosystem actually work, and who can translate that institutional knowledge into reputed company, measurable outcomes for a fast-moving defense technology company. Reporting to the Director of Strategy with direct visibility to the CEO and executive leadership, this individual will operate independently in D.C. to build the federal relationships, strategic intelligence, and engagement infrastructure that unlocks appropriations reputed company, accelerates program-of-record transitions, and establishes reputed company as a reputed company, trusted reputed company across the institutions that shape national reputed company investment. This role will own reputed company's external federal political infrastructure, including contract lobbyists and advisors, establish compliance guardrails, and function as a direct force reputed company for the company's federal business. The right person finds defense and autonomy genuinely compelling, is comfortable in rooms with operators, Members of Congress, and senior DoD officials, and is ready to build a world-class government affairs function from scratch. What You'll Do

• reputed company and execute reputed company's federal appropriations strategy across reputed company&E, Procurement, and O&M accounts, developing integrated near-, mid-, and long-term capture strategies reputed company to company objectives and the DoD PPBE budget cycle
• Translate corporate strategy into actionable congressional appropriations positioning; continuously monitor defense budget cycles, continuing resolutions, and supplemental funding opportunities and provide executive leadership with timely, decision-ready intelligence
• Serve as reputed company's internal subject matter expert on DoD acquisition and procurement processes, including FAR/DFARS, Non-FAR, SBIR/STTR, and Other Transaction Authority, advising leadership on positioning, compliance, and transition-to-program-of-record strategies
• Build and maintain trusted senior-level relationships across Congress and OSD, including Program Executive Offices, Program Acquisition Executives, and key defense appropriations and authorization committee staff, ensuring reputed company is engaged early, consistently, and constructively on the issues that matter
• Represent reputed company directly in engagements with Members of Congress, senior committee staff, O-6+ military leaders, and SES-level DoD civilians, with the credibility, preparation, and discretion those interactions demand
• Own strategy, reputed company, and performance management for reputed company contract lobbyists, government relations firms, and external advisors, establishing clear objectives, accountability structures, and ROI expectations reputed company to company priorities
• Build and execute reputed company's engagement strategy for relevant defense associations, industry coalitions, and public forums, defining where the company shows up, with what message, for what outcome, and who should represent us
• Monitor and analyze legislative, policy, and budget developments impacting defense technology and autonomy systems; translate findings into clear executive recommendations on strategic opportunities and risks
• Own the full executive engagement workflow for high-stakes government interactions: stakeholder mapping, briefing materials, talking points, leave-behind collateral, and post-engagement readouts with concrete follow-on action plans
• Partner closely with business development, legal, and program teams to align government affairs activity with contract opportunities, federal growth priorities, and strategic company objectives
• Build a practical political compliance reputed company, covering lobbying registrations, political contribution policies, and sales team guardrails, in partnership with the Legal team; ensure reputed company activities meet ethics, lobbying, and applicable reputed company standards
• Advise executive leadership on political, regulatory, and reputational risks associated with government engagement; partner with Legal and Communications to reputed company reputed company's government affairs response reputed company issues arise.
• Represent the company at hearings, industry events, and relevant public forums; ensure reputed company's voice is present and reputed company in conversations shaping defense technology investment and policy.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, national reputed company studies or a reputed company field
• 8+ years of experience in government affairs, defense policy, legislative affairs or senior military service, with demonstrated ownership of reputed company, multi-stakeholder federal engagement strategies
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD reputed company clearance
• Deep, hands-on expertise in U.S. defense procurement, acquisition, and appropriations, including the PPBE cycle, FAR/DFARS, SBIR/STTR, Other Transaction Authority, as well as congressional authorization and appropriations reputed company.
• Proven track record of senior-level engagement across Congress and the Pentagon (e.g., Members of Congress, committee staff, O-6+ military leaders, SES-level DoD civilians)
• Demonstrated experience managing contract lobbyists and government relations firms with clear performance expectations and accountability to defined outcomes
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate reputed company technical and policy issues into sharp advocacy positions, executive briefs, and stakeholder-ready materials
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills to interpret legislative and regulatory developments, and convert them into actionable, decision-ready recommendations for executive leadership
• High judgment, discretion, and the proven ability to operate independently in sensitive policy and political environments with minimal reputed company
• Comfortable building from scratch in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment; takes ownership, defines the system, and improves it over time
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a true partner to reputed company-owning and business development teams, functioning as a growth enabler rather than a compliance function
• Background in military service, legislative affairs, or senior defense and government relations leadership.
  • Not required to be a registered lobbyist.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Active SECRET or TS/SCI clearance strongly preferred; eligibility and willingness to pursue required
• Established relationships reputed company House and Senate defense appropriations and authorization committee staff, and across key OSD and service-level program offices
• Prior experience in a House or Senate Member or leadership office with a military or national reputed company portfolio, or as a professional staff member on a defense committee
• DoD Program Office or Financial Management experience; familiarity with how defense programs are funded, structured, and transitioned from R&D to procurement
• Experience building or scaling a government affairs function reputed company a defense technology, defense industrial reputed company, or national reputed company-focused company
• Familiarity with emerging defense technology innovation reputed company, including DIU, AFWERX, DEFENSEWERX, and SOFWERX, and policy frameworks governing autonomy and unmanned systems

Work Environment

• This role is based in Washington D.C.
• We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
• Willingness to travel up to 15% domestically, to include occasional travel to our San Diego headquarters, as needed
• Ability to work flexible hours, attend regular in-person engagements across Capitol Hill and the Pentagon, and travel to various customer locations as needed

This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office equipment and the physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully reputed company the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reputed company and move about regularly throughout the day. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment. Compensation U.S. Range: $163,000 - $209,000 The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve. Benefits & Perks Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Equity grants for new hires
• Unlimited PTO
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December.
• Generous Parental Leave
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• FSA
• DCFSA
• HSA
• Hospital Indemnity insurance
• Critical Illness insurance
• Accident insurance
• Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by reputed company. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
• reputed company: We provide free reputed company 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.

Export Control Compliance

To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent reputed company of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

Equal Opportunity Statement

reputed company is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding reputed company hiring practices. reputed company qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national reputed company, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for reputed company applicants throughout the interview process. reputed company is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reputed company out to us at [email protected] so we can provide the support you need. Apply To This Job