Public Policy Manager at Istari Digital (Arlington, VA)Public Policy Manager

Government affairs plays a strategic role at Istari, advancing the company's federal strategy, securing funding, supporting business development, and building relationships across Congress, federal agencies, and industry. Reporting to the Director of Government and External Affairs and working closely with executive leadership, the Policy Analyst will own key policy issues, conduct independent research, and develop strategies that advance Istari's priorities. This role requires strong analytical judgment, initiative, and the ability to translate complex policy developments into strategic opportunities at the intersection of national security, emerging technology, and federal policy.

Core Responsibilities

- Manage key policy portfolios, independently monitoring developments, assessing implications, and recommending strategic actions.

- Lead research and analysis of federal legislation, appropriations, authorizations, executive branch initiatives, and regulatory developments.

- Develop policy positions, legislative proposals, and engagement strategies aligned with Istari's business and technology objectives.

- Identify federal funding opportunities, emerging government priorities, and policy initiatives that support business development and market expansion.

- Analyze congressional and agency priorities, federal budgets, and defense programs to identify opportunities and risks.

- Lead specific government affairs initiatives, managing research, stakeholder engagement, and execution from start to finish.

- Build and maintain relationships with congressional offices, federal agencies, industry organizations, and strategic partners.

- Produce substantive policy analyses, position papers, and strategic recommendations to inform leadership decisions.

- Represent Istari at congressional meetings, agency engagements, conferences, and industry events.

- Collaborate with business development, product, and engineering teams to connect policy priorities with customer needs and company strategy.

- Coordinate strategic engagements and cross-functional initiatives, ensuring accountability and follow-through.

Required Qualifications

- 3–5 years of experience in public policy, government affairs, congressional offices, federal agencies, lobbying, or a related field.

- Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Government, International Affairs, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).

- Strong understanding of Congress, the Executive Branch, federal budgeting, and the policymaking process.

- Demonstrated ability to independently research complex policy issues, assess implications, and develop actionable recommendations.

- Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.

- Experience managing policy initiatives, legislative priorities, or research portfolios with limited oversight.

- Strong judgment, initiative, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

- Experience engaging with congressional staff, federal officials, senior executives, and external stakeholders.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; CRM experience preferred.

- Interest or experience in aerospace, defense, national security, artificial intelligence, or emerging technologies.

- Willingness to travel up to 25%.

- Experience in a congressional office, federal agency, think tank, government affairs firm, or in-house policy team.

- Familiarity with federal appropriations, authorizations, defense budgeting, and acquisition policy.

- Experience developing legislative proposals, policy recommendations, or government engagement strategies.

- Experience connecting policy developments to business development opportunities and organizational strategy.

Istari is a digital engineering software company building open, scalable infrastructure for engineering data. Our platform lets customers simply and securely integrate engineering models across disciplines, organizations, and security levels — whether they're designing prototypes, performing virtual testing, or training AI and autonomy for complex systems.

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