Manufacturing, Engineering Services

Director, Government Affairs

Washington, DCOnsiteFull TimeDirector$180,000–$250,000 /yrPosted 16 days agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

defense appropriations
acquisition policy
program funding
legislative strategy
Congress
Executive branch
Growth team
Armed Services Committees
Appropriations Committees
bipartisan relationships

Nice to have

defense appropriations staffer
security clearance
corporate government affairs
registered lobbyist
technical fluency

Role summary

CHAOS Industries, a defense technology company specializing in Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), seeks a Director of Government Affairs in Washington, D.C. Reporting to the SVP, this role is crucial for developing and executing legislative strategies related to defense appropriations, acquisition policy, and program funding. The Director will build bipartisan relationships with Congress and the Executive branch, track legislative cycles, draft policy documents, and ensure compliance with lobbying laws. The ideal candidate possesses extensive Congressional experience, deep knowledge of defense authorization and appropriations, established relationships, and strong communication skills. Prior experience as a defense appropriations staffer or professional staff member, a security clearance, and knowledge of the PPBE process are preferred. Technical fluency in autonomy, sensing, or AI is a plus.

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats.

CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors, including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.

About the role

We are looking for a Director of Government Affairs to join our growing Government Affairs & Strategy team. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Strategy, you will serve as one of CHAOS's principal strategists on defense appropriations, acquisition policy, and program funding. You will build and execute a legislative strategy aligned to our core technologies, represent CHAOS before Congress and the Executive branch, and partner with the Growth team to win new programs and protect existing ones. The strongest candidates bring deep Congressional experience and established relationships spanning the House, Senate, and Executive branch agencies.

At CHAOS, you will:

Lead CHAOS's authorization and appropriations strategy across the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, identifying, building, and defending funding for key programs

Build bipartisan relationships with Members, committee staff, and personal offices, and extend that network into OSW, the services, and relevant agencies

Track the annual NDAA and appropriations cycles from budget request through markup and conference, translating developments into clear guidance for program and executive teams

Draft legislative and report language, appropriations requests, and policy briefs

Represent CHAOS on Capitol Hill and in industry associations and coalitions

Ensure compliance with lobbying and disclosure laws and support PAC and political engagement strategy

We're looking for someone who has:

A university degree and 12+ years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree and 10+ years

Extensive Congressional experience on defense authorization or appropriations bills

Deep knowledge of the NDAA and annual appropriations processes

Established bipartisan relationships with relevant Congressional offices and committees

Strong written and verbal communication skills

A results-oriented, self-starter mindset that thrives in a fast-paced, rapidly growing environment

Willingness to register as a lobbyist

Nice to have:

Experience as a defense appropriations staffer or professional staff member on a defense Committee

An active security clearance

Prior experience in a corporate government affairs office or as a registered lobbyist

Knowledge of the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution (PPBE) process

Technical fluency in autonomy, sensing, or AI

A willingness to treat no task as too small

Sense of humor

Why CHAOS?

Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company

Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more

Our Perks: Free daily lunch while you're working onsite, fully-stocked kitchen, unlimited PTO, casual dress code

Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses

Team Growth: 500+ employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Range: $180,000 – $250,000

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.

Recruiting Agencies: CHAOS Industries does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach. Unsolicited submissions will not be reviewed or compensated.

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