State Policy & Engagement Director

Radiant; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 183,500 - 236,250; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive health plan

One Medical membership

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Parental leave

Catered lunch

Flexible PTO

Team events

Job summary

Radiant is seeking a State Engagement Director to lead state and local government engagement for a fast-growing hard-tech company at the intersection of aerospace, defense, and energy. You will shape policy, enable deployment, and unlock sites where state decisions impact our ability to build and operate, working with policymakers, regulators, and partners in priority states.

You’ll collaborate with internal teams to translate technical concepts into policy positions, oversee external lobbyists,

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

State government affairs

Regulatory engagement

Public policy

Policy communication

Regulatory negotiations

Job description

Radiant is seeking a State Engagement Director to lead state and local government engagement for a fast-growing hard-tech company at the intersection of aerospace, defense, and energy. You will shape policy, enable deployment, and unlock sites where state decisions impact our ability to build and operate, working with policymakers, regulators, and partners in priority states.

You’ll collaborate with internal teams to translate technical concepts into policy positions, oversee external lobbyists,