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