Legislative and Government Affairs Sr. Director

Legislative and Government Affairs Sr. Director

Location: Washington, DC area (with some travel to Austin, TX); in DC office 3 days a week

Clearance Requirement: U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance

Reports to: CGO

About NODA

NODA is a Veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company that is transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. We are developing next-generation solutions that enable the autonomous orchestration of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space with vital applications in the defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.

As autonomy becomes central to how the U.S. and its allies operate, the policy, budget, and regulatory decisions made in Washington directly shape how quickly NODA's technology reaches the warfighter. The Legislative and Government Affairs Manager is NODA's voice on Capitol Hill and across the Executive Branch, building the relationships and strategy that turn mission impact into lasting support.

Joining NODA means working on meaningful technology that pushes the boundaries of autonomy alongside a team that thrives on innovation, rapid iteration, and collaboration.

The Role

As our Legislative and Government Affairs Director, you'll build and lead NODA’s government relations function from the ground up. You'll help develop our legislative strategy, represent NODA with Congress, the Department of Defense, and key policy stakeholders, and make sure our programs are understood, funded, and positioned for growth.

You'll work directly with the CGO, CEO, the leadership team, and Business Development team to align government affairs with our capture and program priorities, from authorization and appropriations through to policy on autonomy, unmanned systems, and defense acquisition reform.

This is a rare chance to shape how a fast-growing defense technology company engages with Washington. You'll have real influence over strategy, direct access to leadership, and the opportunity to build a function that grows with NODA as we move from prototype to production programs.

Key Responsibilities

Develop/Inform and execute NODA's legislative and government affairs strategy, aligned with company priorities, capture plans, and program growth

Build and maintain relationships with Members of Congress, committee staff, and personal office staff, particularly on the House and Senate Armed Services and Defense Appropriations committees

Engage with the Department of Defense, the military services, and other Executive Branch stakeholders on policy, requirements, and budget priorities relevant to autonomy and unmanned systems

Lead NODA’s engagement in the NDAA and defense appropriations cycles, including drafting and advocating for report language, plus-ups, and program support

Monitor, analyze, and brief leadership on legislation, budget requests, regulations, and policy developments affecting NODA and the wider defense technology sector

Translate NODA’s technology and mission impact into clear, compelling materials for policymakers, including white papers, one-pagers, testimony support, and briefings

Plan and manage Hill visits, site visits, demonstrations, and engagements with policymakers and government stakeholders

Partner with Business Development, Capture, and Program teams so government affairs activity supports pipeline and program execution

Represent NODA within industry associations, coalitions, and think tanks, building strategic alliances that strengthen our policy positions

Manage relationships with external government affairs consultants and lobbying firms as needed

Engage with state and international stakeholders, including Texas state government and allied partners, as NODA expands

Track engagement activity and report on outcomes, priorities, and impact to leadership

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, or a related field

10+ years of experience in legislative affairs, government relations, or policy, including time on Capitol Hill, in the Executive Branch, or in a defense industry government affairs role

Strong working knowledge of the federal legislative and budget process, including the NDAA and defense appropriations cycles

Established relationships with congressional offices and committee staff, particularly on defense-focused committees

Understanding of DoD budgeting, requirements, and acquisition processes (PPBE)

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technology clearly to non-technical audiences

Working knowledge of the Lobbying Disclosure Act and federal ethics requirements

Due to the nature of the position, U.S. citizenship is required due to ITAR regulations, along with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience as professional staff on HASC, SASC, HAC-D, or SAC-D, or in a DoD legislative affairs office

Government affairs experience at a defense technology, aerospace, or venture-backed startup company

Familiarity with autonomy, unmanned systems, AI policy, or emerging technology in defense

Experience securing funding for programs through authorization or appropriations

Familiarity with nontraditional acquisition pathways such as OTAs, SBIR/STTR, and DIU programs

Prior military service or government experience

Existing security clearance

Skills & Attributes

Strategic thinker who connects policy and budget developments to business impact

Trusted relationship builder with credibility across both sides of the aisle

Clear, persuasive communicator in writing and in person

Builder’s mindset, comfortable standing up a function where none exists

High judgment and discretion in handling sensitive information and relationships

Collaborative partner to leadership, Business Development, and Program teams

Mission driven, with a genuine interest in and respect for NODA AI's defense mission and the people who serve it

Growth Path at NODA

Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy: own NODA’s full policy, legislative, and government relations strategy as part of the leadership team

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 resident 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

NODA AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace and to maintaining equitable employment and hiring practices. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

As a federal contractor, NODA AI complies with all applicable equal employment opportunity and affirmative action requirements, including Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the recruiting, hiring, and employment process.

Consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consi