Director of Government Affairs

Shift5 • Arlington, VA

10h • $190,000 - $260,000

About The Position

Shift5 is seeking a mission-aligned Director of Government Affairs to join its Legal & Public Policy team. The role leads federal legislative and regulatory advocacy, directly engages Capitol Hill and executive agencies, and manages external lobbying and government relations firms. Its policy focus includes fleet cybersecurity, onboard operational technology (OT) data access, and data modernization funding.

The Director partners with Defense and Commercial Sales, Product, Legal, and Executive Leadership to support company growth across defense weapon systems and commercial transportation. The position owns legislative engagement and vendor management from priority identification through bill passage and executive branch implementation, and helps scale Shift5’s public affairs and policy capabilities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of relevant experience in legislative affairs, public policy, or federal government relations.
• Deep exposure to defense, national security, or critical transportation infrastructure.
• Ability to independently translate complex technical concepts, such as serial bus architectures, OT cybersecurity, and predictive maintenance, into actionable policy proposals.
• Strong strategic foresight, coalition-building, and external vendor and agency management skills.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-growth, mission-driven venture-backed startup environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, National Security, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven Capitol Hill experience (committee or personal staff) or experience within relevant federal agencies such as DoD, CISA, or DOT.
• Direct experience drafting legislative language and navigating authorization and appropriation cycles.

Nice To Haves

• Active U.S. Secret or Top Secret/SCI security clearance, or ability and willingness to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Lead in-house legislative strategy and direct advocacy across Capitol Hill and executive agencies, including DoD, DHS/CISA, DOT, FAA, and FRA.
• Direct, scope, and hold external government relations and lobbying firms accountable, aligning their work with business priorities and expected return on investment.
• Partner with Defense and Commercial Sales teams to track federal budget cycles, including NDAA, appropriations, and grant programs, and connect policy outcomes to addressable market opportunities and program lines of record.
• Advance favorable legislative text, report language, and regulatory standards recognizing onboard OT data capture and cyber resilience.
• Identify opportunities to improve Shift5’s policy presence, coalition participation, and opportunities to testify at congressional hearings.
• Own legislative engagement and vendor management from identifying priorities through bill passage and executive branch implementation.
• Contribute to scaling Shift5’s public affairs and policy capabilities as the company expands across defense weapon systems and commercial transportation sectors.
• Establish relationships with congressional committee staff, executive agency officials, and internal sector leads.
• Improve legislative tracking, policy-driven pipeline opportunities, agency standards alignment, and the operational cadence for overseeing external lobbying partners.

Benefits

• Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
• Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
• Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Uncapped paid time off policy
• Flexible work and remote work policy
• Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director