Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company dedicated to protecting service members and civilians through intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision lines. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington D.C., Boston, Abu Dhabi, Kyiv, and Melbourne, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations for the U.S. and its allies around the world. For more information, visit https://shield.ai and follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

We are looking for a Director of Government Relations to lead advocacy and stakeholder engagement efforts across Australia. This senior position will design and implement government relations strategies at federal, state, and territory levels to advance Shield AI’s policy goals and strengthen partnerships with Australian government agencies.

What you’ll do:
• Strategic Leadership and Government Engagement
• Create government relations strategies aligned with Shield AI’s mission and the Australian political environment
• Build and manage relationships with key officials, ministers, MPs, senior public servants, and political advisors
• Support engagements with the Department of Defence, ADF leadership, and other relevant agencies
• Represent the company in high-level meetings, parliamentary inquiries, and defense industry events

• Policy and Advocacy
• Track and assess legislative and regulatory developments related to defense technology, AI governance, autonomous systems, export controls, and foreign investment
• Prepare briefings, position papers, and policy recommendations for senior leadership
• Lead advocacy initiatives and coordinate responses to government consultations

• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work with the Business Development team to identify government opportunities
• Collaborate with Product teams to relay government requirements and regulatory factors
• Partner with engineering teams to help stakeholders understand technical capabilities
• Ensure government relations activities support business growth and strategic goals

• Team Leadership and Stakeholder Management
• Lead and mentor the government relations team while coordinating with internal groups
• Work with industry associations, peak bodies, and research institutions
• Manage relationships with external consultants and legal advisors

Required qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, law, or a related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 8–10+ years of experience in Australian government relations, public policy, or political affairs
• Strong preference for experience in the defense or technology sectors
• Thorough understanding of Australian political systems, parliamentary processes, and defense procurement

Essential experience and skills:
• Demonstrated success in shaping policy outcomes within the Australian defense environment
• Prior experience in government, parliament, the Department of Defence, or senior roles with defense or technology companies
• Outstanding communication skills and the ability to simplify complex policy and technical topics
• High integrity, political awareness, and the ability to manage classified information
• Strong leadership qualities and a collaborative mindset

International team members are employed through our Employer of Record and receive a comprehensive global benefits package in addition to base salary. For full details on compensation and benefits, please speak with your talent acquisition partner.