Director, Industrial Base & Trade Policy

Director, Industrial Base & Trade Policy

Location: Arlington, VA (Hybrid)

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing uncrewed systems and robotics, represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries across industry, government, and academia. AUVSI members work across the defense, civil, and commercial sectors.

We are proud to be the leading trade association serving the growing autonomous vehicle industry, including drones, automated and remotely operated ground and maritime vehicles, and their related components and systems.

Why Join AUVSI

The uncrewed, autonomous, and robotics industry is at a defining moment, and AUVSI is leading the way. As the world's largest association dedicated to advancing autonomy, we have helped shape the policies, standards, and partnerships driving the industry's growth.

As the Director of Industrial Base and Trade Policy, you'll help shape U.S. policy at the intersection of export controls, China-related supply chain security, allied industrial cooperation, and defense trade. This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a growing policy portfolio, influence decisions that will shape the future of autonomous systems, and work alongside a high-performing advocacy team to advance U.S. competitiveness and deliver meaningful value to AUVSI's members.

The Opportunity

AUVSI is seeking a Director, Industrial Base & Trade Policy to build a new advocacy function focused on economic statecraft and the industrial, trade, and international policy conditions needed to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and security in the uncrewed, autonomous, and robotics industry.

The role will serve as AUVSI’s lead practitioner on industrial base and trade policy, including export controls, foreign military sales, defense industrial base development, supply chain resilience, and allied industrial cooperation. The Director will work across the Departments of Commerce, State, and Defense, as well as USTR, DSCA, and other relevant agencies, to shape the regulatory and policy environment affecting AUVSI members.

The ideal candidate brings deep familiarity with the interagency processes governing export licensing, tariff policy, foreign military sales, and defense industrial base development. Existing relationships with relevant executive branch agencies are strongly preferred.

This position reports to the VP & Counsel, Regulatory Affairs and works in close coordination with AUVSI's advocacy, membership, and executive teams. This position is based in the Washington, DC metro area. Relocation is expected.

Essential Job Functions

• Monitor and analyze U.S. trade, export control, and defense industrial policy developments affecting the autonomous systems industry.
• Develop and advance AUVSI's policy positions on trade, export controls, foreign military sales, and related regulatory issues.
• Build and maintain relationships with key federal agencies and policymakers to advocate for AUVSI members and industry priorities.
• Represent AUVSI in meetings, coalitions, and government engagements related to trade, manufacturing, and supply chain policy.
• Produce policy analyses, regulatory updates, and member-facing briefings that translate complex issues into actionable insights.
• Organize and lead policy roundtables, briefings, and industry engagement events with government and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with AUVSI leadership to shape and execute advocacy strategies that support the association's policy priorities.
• Identify opportunities to advance AUVSI's mission through strategic partnerships, grants, and cooperative initiatives, as appropriate.

Qualifications

• 8 years of experience in trade policy, export controls, defense industrial policy, or international economic affairs within government, an association, or the private sector.
• Experience working with or alongside U.S. government agencies such as BIS, ITA, USTR, DDTC, DSCA, or similar organizations; established agency relationships are strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. export control regulations (ITAR/EAR), Foreign Military Sales (FMS), and defense industrial base policy.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex regulatory and policy issues and communicate actionable insights to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience developing and advancing policy positions on behalf of an organization, industry, or coalition.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing policy briefs, reports, and executive-level presentations.
• Experience building relationships with senior government officials and leading stakeholder engagement efforts.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in law, international relations, public policy, or a related field preferred.
• Familiarity with the uncrewed systems, defense, aerospace, or advanced technology sectors preferred.
• Active security clearance or the ability to obtain one is preferred.
• Based in the Washington, DC metro area or willing to relocate; periodic travel required.
• Demonstrated commitment to AUVSI's Core Values: One Team, Serve with Energy, Driven by Results, and Shape the Future.

Working Environment

• Hybrid work environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

As we lead our industry to new heights, our core values keep us grounded. They reflect the shared beliefs and commitments that unite us and strengthen our role as a powerful advocate for autonomous technologies. These values guide our daily actions, shape how we work together, and influence how we serve our members and stakeholders.

AUVSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for employees, members, partners, and applicants. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, military status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

AI in Our Recruiting Process

AUVSI is committed to providing a fair, transparent, and efficient hiring experience. To support our recruiting efforts, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the hiring process.

These tools may assist with:

• Resume screening to identify candidates whose qualifications align with role requirements.
• Interview scheduling and coordination.
• Candidate communications, including status updates and outreach.
• Skills assessments or structured evaluation processes, where applicable.

Human oversight remains central to our hiring process. All meaningful employment decisions, including candidate advancement and selection, are made by AUVSI recruiting and hiring professionals. AI tools are used solely to support, not replace, human decision-making.

We take privacy seriously. Any personal information processed through AI-enabled tools is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and all applicable data protection laws.

Applicants with questions regarding the use of AI in our recruiting process, or who would like to request a human review of any AI-assisted evaluation, may contact us at HR@auvsi.org.

Join AUVSI and help shape the future of autonomous innovation.