State Engagement Lead - Energy & Defense Policy

Radiant Industries; Washington; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive health plan

One Medical

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Life & disability

Parental leave

Lunch & snacks

Flexible PTO

In-person events

Job summary

Radiant Industries in Washington, DC seeks a State Engagement Director to lead state and local government engagement for a fast-growing hard-tech company. You will shape policy, enable deployment, and coordinate with policymakers, regulators, and partners in priority states.

You’ll work with engineering, legal, policy, and operations teams to translate complex technical concepts into clear policy positions, manage external lobbyists, and drive site strategies and permitting outcomes across

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in state government affairs, public policy, regulatory engagement, or related roles within energy, defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.
• Proven ability to influence state-level policy or regulatory outcomes, not just monitor them.
• Strong understanding of state legislative processes, regulatory bodies, and permitting environments.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and fast-moving environments with limited precedent.
• Clear, confident communicator who can work equally well with policymakers and engineers.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute state and local engagement strategies that directly support deployment, industrial development, and long-term operations.
• Influence state legislation, regulations, rulemakings, and executive actions affecting industrial siting, permitting of power generation assets, grid interconnection, and critical infrastructure.
• Lead company engagement with state regulators and public utility commissions; represent the company in hearings, meetings, and industry forums.
• Hire, manage, and coordinate external lobbyists and advisors in key states; set strategy and ensure alignment with company goals.
• Partner on site selection and site-specific strategies for prospective and active locations, coordinating with state and local governments, economic development groups, and community stakeholders.
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, legal, policy, communications, and operations teams to translate complex technical concepts into clear policy and regulatory positions.
• Track and actively shape state-level policy developments; provide crisp, actionable guidance to leadership.
• Ensure compliance with state ethics, lobbying, and disclosure requirements.

Skills

Influence state-level policy

Regulatory engagement

Policy analysis

Stakeholder management

Public speaking

Job description

Radiant Industries in Washington, DC seeks a State Engagement Director to lead state and local government engagement for a fast-growing hard-tech company. You will shape policy, enable deployment, and coordinate with policymakers, regulators, and partners in priority states.

You’ll work with engineering, legal, policy, and operations teams to translate complex technical concepts into clear policy positions, manage external lobbyists, and drive site strategies and permitting outcomes across