Manager, National Security Policy

About Merlin: Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world’s leading investors, Merlin is scaling alongside our customers to begin leveraging autonomy today to solve some of aviation’s biggest challenges. Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match) and work/life integration. Being part of the Merlin team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to achieve our mission. Merlin Labs is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military service or obligation or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All job offers are contingent upon the candidate passing background and reference checks. At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or consider candidates who require visa transfers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: people@merlinlabs.com Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates. country: US all locations: [Washington DC] commitment: Full Time department: Business Development location: Washington DC team: Revenue Operations About You:: You are a policy and regulatory strategist with a strong interest in aviation, autonomy, and emerging technologies. You understand how policy, regulation, and government stakeholders shape the adoption of new technologies—and you know how to navigate and influence that landscape effectively.  You are comfortable operating at the intersection of government, industry, and technical teams. You can translate complex regulatory frameworks into clear business implications and help shape strategies that enable safe, scalable deployment.  You are proactive, highly collaborative, and able to operate both strategically and tactically—driving policy initiatives forward while supporting broader company objectives. Responsibilities: : Support the development and execution of Merlin’s public policy and regulatory strategy, in alignment with corporate and product strategy  Monitor, analyze, and interpret policy and regulatory developments relevant to autonomous aviation, AI, and safety-critical systems  Engage with government stakeholders, regulators, and industry groups to support favorable policy outcomes  Partner with internal teams (Engineering, Programs, Business Development) to ensure alignment between technical development and regulatory requirements  Help shape Merlin’s positioning on key topics including autonomy, certification, safety, and airspace integration  Develop clear, concise materials to communicate policy positions to internal leadership, external stakeholders, and industry forums  Support strategy related to FAA certification pathways and government program alignment  Contribute to cross-functional strategic initiatives where policy and regulation are critical enablers  Track and assess risks and opportunities in the evolving regulatory environment and provide actionable insights to leadership  Requirements:: 6–10+ years of experience in public policy, government affairs, regulatory strategy, or related roles  Experience in aviation, aerospace, defense, technology policy, or other regulated industries  Familiarity with U.S. regulatory frameworks, particularly in aviation, safety, or emerging technologies  Strong ability to analyze complex policy issues and translate them into business-relevant insights  Experience engaging with government agencies, regulators, or industry associations  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing policy briefs and executive materials  Ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders across technical and business teams  Nice to Haves:: Experience with FAA, DoD, or other aviation and defense-related agencies  Familiarity with autonomous systems, AI policy, or advanced air mobility  Background in legislative, regulatory, or industry advocacy roles  Experience working in or with high-growth or venture-backed companies  Understanding of certification processes and safety frameworks in aviation  Strong network within relevant policy and regulatory communities