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Salary: USD 180,000 - 250,000 / annual
CHAOS Industries is a defense technology company founded in 2022 and backed by $1 billion in funding from top-tier investors including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company develops a multi-product portfolio powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™) that serves warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams. CHAOS is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Washington D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, and London.
The Director of Government Affairs will join the Government Affairs & Strategy team, reporting to the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs & Strategy. This is a principal strategist role focused on defense appropriations, acquisition policy, and program funding.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading CHAOS's authorization and appropriations strategy across the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, identifying and defending funding for key programs
- Building bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress, committee staff, and personal offices, extending networks into the Office of Secretary of War, military services, and relevant agencies
- Tracking the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and appropriations cycles from budget request through markup and conference, translating developments into guidance for program and executive teams
- Drafting legislative and report language, appropriations requests, and policy briefs
- Representing CHAOS on Capitol Hill and in industry associations and coalitions
- Ensuring compliance with lobbying and disclosure laws, supporting PAC and political engagement strategy
This role offers the opportunity to shape defense policy at a high-growth, well-funded company with significant market traction and a mission-critical focus.
Requirements:
- University degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, OR advanced degree with 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
- Results-oriented, self-starter mindset thriving in fast-paced, rapidly growing environments
- Willingness to register as a lobbyist
Nice to have:
- Experience as a defense appropriations staffer or professional staff member on a defense Committee
- 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
