Head of Government Relations; Congressional Affairs

Who We Are

We are an early-stage, maritime defense technology startup backed by top tier investors. Our team is designing and building autonomous and highly producible ships that can serve multiple missions on the open ocean.

We’re seeking a Head of Government Relations (Congressional Affairs) to lead our engagement with Congress and key federal stakeholders. This is a critical leadership role at the intersection of defense policy, appropriations, and Navy acquisition.

You’ll be the company’s primary face on the Hill—driving our strategy with authorize rs and appropriators, shaping legislative and report language, and building durable support for unmanned surface vessels and the industrial base that underpins them. You’ll work directly with the CSO and business development leads to connect concrete program and funding outcomes to our growth.

This role is based in Washington, DC
, with regular time on the Hill and at Pentagon/Navy offices. You’ll build the government relations function from the ground up—owning strategy, execution, and the playbook for how we show up in Washington. U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data.

• Define and lead our congressional strategy across NDAA, defense appropriations, and oversight.
• Build and maintain deep, trust-based relationships with:
• • Members and staff on HASC, SASC, HAC-D, SAC-D, and related subcommittees
  • Congressional leadership offices, caucuses, and task forces relevant to Navy, unmanned systems, and the industrial base
• Identify, draft, and advocate for legislative and report language that supports unmanned maritime systems, rapid acquisition, and industrial base investment.
• Drive annual appropriations and authorization campaigns to support program starts, plus-ups, and multi-year funding profiles tied to specific Navy and DoD priorities.
• Represent the company in meetings with Members, professional staff, committee staff, and relevant executive branch officials (Navy, OSD, Joint Staff, etc.).
• Develop clear, compelling advocacy materials
  : one-pagers, decks, language proposals, talking points, Q&A, and hearing prep.
• Monitor, analyze, and brief internal stakeholders on congressional developments that affect our programs, budgets, and competitive landscape.
• Plan and execute visits, demos, and facility tours for Members and staff, showcasing our technology and its operational impact.
• Coordinate closely with business development, engineering, and operations to align congressional strategy with program milestones and customer needs.
• Manage and integrate any external consultants, industry coalitions, or trade associations supporting our priorities.
• Build lightweight but effective systems to track engagements, follow-ups, and outcomes across fiscal years.
• Serve as an internal advisor on timing, process, and risk—helping leadership make smart bets aligned with Hill and budget dynamics.

• Bring 10+ years of experience in national security and federal government relations, with significant time on or deeply engaged with Capitol Hill
  .
• Have held senior roles such as committee/subcommittee staff, LD, senior LA, legislative director for a Member with defense portfolio, or equivalent senior GR role in defense/national security.
• Possess a proven track record driving outcomes through the NDAA, defense appropriations, and/or homeland security appropriations processes.
• Understand in depth how PPBE, NDAA, and appropriations interact with specific programs, PEs, and budget lines.
• Are fluent in defense policy and budget issues, ideally with exposure to Navy, unmanned systems, shipbuilding/industrial base, or Indo-Pacific priorities.
• Have a strong, bipartisan network on the Hill and credibility with professional staff and senior aides.
• Communicate clearly and succinctly—able to translate complex technical concepts into tight, persuasive narratives for Members and staff.
• Are comfortable operating as a one-person department initially: setting strategy, booking meetings, writing materials, and doing the blocking-and-tackling yourself.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguity-heavy environment, and can make pragmatic tradeoffs while…