Director, Export Policy

About the role

The Director, International Policy and Export Controls directs the global strategy for releasing and deploying advanced autonomy, aircraft, and AI-enabled technologies in alignment with national security objectives. This role defines how technology security and disclosure requirements create responsible pathways for Shield AI products abroad while ensuring compliance with international regulations. The director guides allied partners to ensure capabilities reach authorized users and support mission-critical needs across diverse operational environments. This position coordinates with stakeholders to balance urgent operational needs with strict regulatory obligations across international markets. The role interprets complex regulatory landscapes to enable the secure and ethical transfer of cutting-edge defense technologies. It establishes the policy foundation that allows Shield AI to operate responsibly across multiple continents and legal jurisdictions. The director ensures that every deployment pathway respects the intent of export control laws and allied security frameworks.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the development and execution of end-to-end export policy for autonomy and aircraft offerings, ensuring alignment with classification rules and destination controls.
• Manage foreign disclosure processes to streamline how Shield AI technologies are shared with foreign governments and entities while maintaining security standards.
• Orchestrate security cooperation cases that enable the transfer of advanced systems to trusted partners through structured pathways.
• Structure security assistance pathways that satisfy both policy requirements and operational objectives for international missions.
• Interpret and regularly update technology security expectations for international engagements and evolving market conditions.
• Coordinate cross-functional input from engineering, mission planning, and legal teams to ensure policies reflect real-world constraints.
• Maintain living documentation of rules that affect global deployment and sales activities, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Monitor shifting regulations and translate their implications for Shield AI decision-makers to enable proactive strategic responses.
• Evaluate emerging international markets to identify opportunities while ensuring strict adherence to compliance obligations.
• Serve as the primary interface for export control queries from internal and external stakeholders requiring authoritative guidance.
• Drive the integration of policy decisions with product release strategies to align technical capabilities with market access.
• Track the effectiveness of implemented policies and adjust approaches based on operational feedback and regulatory changes.
• Facilitate responsible technology transfer by balancing innovation velocity with risk mitigation across all operational regions.
• Represent Shield AI in discussions with regulatory bodies and partner organizations to safeguard operational flexibility.
• Establish continuous assessment processes for the global landscape to support proactive adjustments to deployment strategies.

Requirements

• Must hold authorization to work in the United States for any role.
• Minimum of eight years of export policy or national security experience is mandatory.
• Demonstrated understanding of foreign disclosure, security cooperation, and assistance programs is essential.
• Ability to read complex regulations and convert them into clear, actionable guidance is mandatory.
• Effective communication with officials, partners, and technical teams must be proven in previous roles.
• Experience in allied markets in Europe, the Middle East, or the Asia-Pacific region is valued.
• Must navigate multi-jurisdictional compliance environments while supporting responsible technology transfer.
• Capability to manage sensitive information with the highest level of discretion is required.
• Willingness to travel as needed to engage with partners and officials is required.

Nice to have

• Experience working with allied partners in Europe, the Middle East, or the Asia-Pacific region is a strong advantage.
• Familiarity with allied defense procurement processes and export control frameworks enhances execution.
• Capability to manage sensitive information with discretion is expected.
• Willingness to travel as needed to engage with partners and officials is required.

Practical notes

• Compensation range is $185,000 to $230,000.
• This is a full-time employee position based in Washington, DC.
• Willingness to travel as needed to engage with partners and officials is required.
• Application details direct interested candidates to the official apply page for current requirements and processes.
• Shield AI participates in equal opportunity employment practices.