Director, Federal Policy

About the role:
Skydio’s mission is to make the world more productive, creative, and safe with autonomous flight. We are looking for a mission-driven policy professional to accelerate those objectives. This position will focus on federal government engagement, partnering with Congress, federal agencies, think tanks and industry associations.

You will develop and lead policy initiatives on a range of critical and fascinating issues, including:

• Supporting the life-saving use of Drones as First Responders by local law enforcement;
• Partnering with DHS to accelerate drone operations (including dock-based operations), improving efficiency and safety;
• Expanding the use of small, smart drones by the U.S. military and its allies;
• Promoting a regulatory framework that enables complex drone operations and ensures U.S. leadership in a new era of aviation; and
• Shaping the future of AI policy.

Candidates with experience supporting public safety and/or homeland security agencies will find this role especially meaningful. This position will require registration under the LDA. The level and title of the role will depend on the experience and interests of the successful candidate.

Please note: This position will be based out of Washington, D.C. 

How you’ll make an impact:

• Represent Skydio before Congress, with a focus on the Appropriations, Homeland Security, Judiciary, Armed Services, and Transportation/Commerce committees.
• Engage with federal agencies, with a focus on the U.S.Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, and Federal Aviation Administration.
• Lead Skydio’s AI policy efforts, helping shape evolving governance standards while reinforcing U.S. leadership in autonomous systems.
• Represent Skydio in key industry associations, building relationships across the community.
• Support Skydio’s civil aviation regulatory objectives, working with policymakers, regulatory agencies, and customers in coordination with the regulatory team..
• Monitor and drive Skydio’s response to policy proposals and rulemaking from federal agencies, industry associations, and standards bodies.

What would make you a strong fit:

• 5+ years of experience in federal policy is required, ideally related to homeland security, national security,  technology innovation, and/or aviation and transportation. 8+ years of experience is preferred.
• Experience as a Congressional staffer is strongly preferred, but we will also consider former Executive Branch officials with congressional engagement experience.
• Experience with appropriations--especially homeland security or national security appropriations--is strongly preferred.
• You are a storyteller by nature. At Skydio, we believe policy work is storytelling by another name. You excel at casting a vision and sharing stories about the transformational impact of technology in a way that naturally advances policy objectives.
• You understand that significant victories are never achieved alone. You excel at building and sustaining support for forward-leaning objectives by working across multiple axes, including the executive branch, the legislative branch, industry associations, and public relations.
• Strong sense of ownership and the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with competing demands on your time.
• Exercise proactive, creative leadership. Spot issues before they become problems.
• Superior written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complicated topics--such as autonomy--to partners and policy makers.
• Ability to travel, as required (likely no more than 10-15% of the time).
• A B.A. or B.S. degree. Advanced degrees are preferred.

Compensation: At Skydio, our compensation packages for regular, full-time employees include competitive base salaries, equity in the form of stock options, and comprehensive benefits packages. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience. Relocation assistance may also be provided for eligible roles. The annual base salary range for this position is $193,500 - 252,000. Fundamentally, we believe that equity is the key to long-term financial growth, and we ensure all regular, full-time employees have the opportunity to significantly benefit from the company's success. Regular, full-time employees are eligible to enroll in the Company’s group health insurance plans. Regular, full-time employees are eligible to receive the following benefits: Paid vacation time, sick leave, holiday pay and 401K savings plan. This position and all associated benefits are subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as the Company’s policies and eligibility criteria.

*Compensation for certain positions may vary based on the position’s location.

#LI-TK1