Chief Government Affairs & Defense Policy

Picogrid, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 250,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) with employer matching

Health coverage (medical, dental, and,

Relocation assistance

Unlimited PTO

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Picogrid, Inc. is seeking its first Vice President of Government Affairs to own the company’s relationship with Washington, from Capitol Hill to the Pentagon.

You will build and execute a government affairs strategy that accelerates Picogrid’s access to defense programs, shapes policy in unmanned systems and C2 space, and ensures policymakers understand what is at stake as autonomous systems become central to modern warfare.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in government affairs, defense policy, or related roles.
• Experience building out a Government Affairs function at a high growth technology company.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical capabilities into accessible, compelling policy narratives.
• Comfort operating as a founder-minded, high-ownership individual contributor.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; executive presence with senior government officials.
• Willingness to travel regularly between El Segundo and Washington, DC.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute Picogrid's federal government affairs strategy at the federal level: build and maintain deep relationships with key decision-makers across Congress, OSD, the military services, combatant commands, and relevant interagency stakeholders.
• Drive Picogrid's positioning in relevant defense budget cycles: identifying funding lines, influencing program office priorities, and supporting business development with strategic intelligence from the Hill and Pentagon.
• Develop and communicate clear, compelling policy positions on issues critical to Picogrid's mission, including export controls, open architecture standards, and technology competition with peer adversaries.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and executive team on political developments, policy risks, and government relationship management, and represent Picogrid externally at key industry events, hearings, conferences, and stakeholder engagements.
• Hire and manage an internal team, external advisors, lobbyists, and consultants as the function grows.
• Build coalitions with aligned defense tech companies, trade associations, and national security organizations to advance shared policy goals.

Job description

Picogrid, Inc. is seeking its first Vice President of Government Affairs to own the company’s relationship with Washington, from Capitol Hill to the Pentagon.

You will build and execute a government affairs strategy that accelerates Picogrid’s access to defense programs, shapes policy in unmanned systems and C2 space, and ensures policymakers understand what is at stake as autonomous systems become central to modern warfare.