Government Affairs Lead
reflection.ai
Location
NYC, SF, Washington, D.C.
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Operations
Our Mission
Reflection’s mission is to build open superintelligence and make it accessible to all.
We’re developing open weight models for individuals, agents, enterprises, and even nation states. Our team of AI researchers and company builders come from DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Brain, Meta, Character.AI, Anthropic and beyond.
Role Overview
Reflection is building foundational open-weight AI systems in the United States: technology that will shape national competitiveness, security, and economic growth for decades. As policymakers accelerate work on AI governance, compute, energy, export controls, and national security, Reflection needs a senior leader who can operate credibly at the highest levels of government while translating those dynamics into clear strategic advantage for the company.
We are hiring Reflection’s founding Government Affairs Lead to build our federal engagement end-to-end. This role sits in Washington: cultivating deep, trusted relationships across government agencies while bringing the discipline, speed, and clarity of the private sector to policy strategy.
What You’ll Do:
Own Federal Strategy & Relationships
Build and maintain senior-level relationships across Congress, the Administration, and key federal agencies relevant to AI, national security, energy, and infrastructure.
Map and actively manage engagement with committees of jurisdiction, agency leadership, career staff, and key influencers.
Serve as Reflection’s primary representative in Washington, articulating the company’s policy positions with credibility and precision.
Shape Policy Outcomes
Lead Reflection’s federal advocacy strategy on AI governance, open-weight models, compute and energy infrastructure, export controls, and related emerging-tech issues.
Anticipate legislative and regulatory developments early and proactively shape policy pathways before positions calcify.
Drive RFIs, consultations, hearings preparation, coalition efforts, and direct legislative engagement.
Bridge Public Sector Insight to Private Sector Execution
Synthesize political, procedural, and regulatory developments into clear, timely guidance for leadership and cross-functional teams.
Advise internal teams on timing, risk, and opportunity as policies evolve.
Ensure Reflection’s product and research strategies are aligned with regulatory reality without being constrained by it.
Campaign Leadership
Lead cross-functional advocacy campaigns spanning government, industry partners, civil society, and research institutions.
Manage and coordinate external partners including lobbyists, trade associations, and policy coalitions.
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Build public-private partnerships that advance Reflection’s mission while reinforcing U.S. leadership in AI.
What We are Looking For:
Experience engaging Congress, federal agencies, and the Administration, with a background spanning government and the private sector.
Demonstrated understanding of committee jurisdiction, agency authorities, and the mechanics of how policy actually gets made.
Strong background in technology policy, with a working understanding of AI, compute, energy, infrastructure, and national-security considerations.
Proven track record shaping or influencing policy outcomes through legislative engagement, regulatory strategy, coalition-building, or public-private partnerships.
Experience operating inside a fast-moving private-sector environment and translating policy dynamics into business-relevant strategy.
Ability to partner effectively with technical teams (research, engineering, product) and communicate complex concepts clearly to non-technical policymakers.
Excellent judgment, political instincts, and comfort operating in ambiguity.
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
10+ years of experience across government affairs, public policy, national security, technology policy, or adjacent fields.
What We Offer:
We believe that to build superintelligence that is truly open, you need to start at the foundation. Joining Reflection means building from the ground up as part of a small talent-dense team. You will help define our future as a company, and help define the frontier of open foundational models.
We want you to do the most impactful work of your career with the confidence that you and the people you care about most are supported.
Top-tier compensation: Salary and equity structured to recognize and retain the best talent globally.
Health & wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
Life & family: Fully paid parental leave for all new parents, including adoptive and surrogate journeys. Financial support for family planning.
Benefits & balance: paid time off when you need it, relocation support, and more perks that optimize your time.
Opportunities to connect with teammates: lunch and dinner are provided daily. We have regular off-sites and team celebrations.