Government Relations Manager, Defense

2–5 years of direct Congressional experience preferred (personal office, committee staff, or equivalent), with demonstrated fluency in defense policy, the authorization and appropriations cycles, and the broader Capitol Hill ecosystem. - Experience or strong working knowledge of defense or national security business development, capture, or proposal work, including supporting RFIs, RFPs, white papers, presentations, or other strategic customer-facing documents. - Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, persuasive narratives for congressional, executive branch, and operational audiences. - Ability to work in-person in Washington, DC minimum 3 days per week. - Willingness to travel up to 25%, including occasional international travel. - U.S. citizenship required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance. ## Bonus Experience

Existing relationships with relevant congressional offices, committee staff, and defense executive branch stakeholders. - Experience supporting capture and proposal efforts for U.S. Government customers, including defense, civil, or national security agencies. - Experience with allied government, commercial, or international customer engagement, strategic bids, or partnership materials. - Familiarity with federal acquisition processes, proposal structures, and evaluation criteria. - Experience writing about highly technical products, systems, or mission concepts in maritime, autonomy, defense-tech, or related fields. - Experience at an early-stage startup or other fast-paced, high-growth environment. - Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, events, and deadlines simultaneously. - A bias for action and comfort operating with a high degree of autonomy. ## Who We're Looking For

Collaborative Team Player: You believe great things happen when teams work together. You communicate effectively across Hill staff, program offices, engineers, BD leads, and executives - building internal consensus around shared strategies and ensuring everyone from proposal coordinators to senior leadership is working from the same playbook. - Creative Problem Solver: You thrive in ambiguous, high-stakes environments where the path from policy signal to program win is rarely straightforward. Whether you're untangling a shifting appropriations landscape, repositioning a pursuit after an RFP surprise, or synthesizing competing internal inputs into a coherent narrative, you bring structured thinking and sound judgment - and you build the reusable tools and playbooks that make the next effort faster. - Adaptable & Agile: In a fast-paced, ever-evolving startup environment, you quickly adapt to changing priorities and requirements. You approach challenges with a calm, resilient mindset, and know how to pivot and adjust your approach as needed, ensuring that progress continues without missing a beat. - Innovative Mindset: You’re driven by curiosity and a passion for technology. You’re passionate about driving continuous improvement, embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and team performance. ## What We Offer

Competitive compensation including a robust equity incentive plan. - Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance - we cover 100% of your premiums. - 401(k) with company matching, so you can plan for the future. - Generous flexible time off, paid parental leave, and company-wide holiday breaks. - Relocation packages available for those moving to join our team. - Daily, free lunches

Learning & professional development opportunities