Location: Tempe, AZ; Remote / U.S.
Team: Legal, Policy & Government Affairs
Type: Full-Time

Overview

Deus X Defense is redefining how law enforcement, defense, and public safety organizations leverage autonomous systems, including Drone-as-a-First-Responder (DFR) and other man–machine teaming capabilities. As Head of Legal and Government Affairs, you will own the legal, legislative, and regulatory strategy that enables DXD to operate compliantly, scale responsibly, and become a trusted partner to government stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels. This is a senior leadership role reporting to the CFO, with significant cross-functional impact on strategy, risk management, and growth.

The role is ideal for a mission-driven legal and policy leader who can confidently manage outside counsel, navigate complex regulatory environments, and drive an affirmative legislative and regulatory agenda that advances DXD’s technology and markets.

What You’ll Own

Lead Legal Strategy & Counsel

• Own the overall legal strategy for Deus X Defense, in close partnership with the CFO and executive team.

• Manage and coordinate outside counsel across corporate, regulatory, product, commercial, employment, and litigation matters, ensuring cost-effective, high-quality support.

• Provide practical, business-oriented legal guidance on contracts, risk allocation, liability, and compliance for DFR and other autonomous/robotics programs.

Government Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key stakeholders across local, state, and federal governments and agencies, including law enforcement, public safety, and defense entities.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for government partners on legal, regulatory, and policy questions related to Drone-as-a-First-Responder and man–machine teaming initiatives.

• Engage with relevant associations, task forces, and working groups to shape best practices and position DXD as a responsible, forward-leaning partner.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain frameworks to ensure DXD’s programs comply with applicable laws, regulations, and policies across jurisdictions (e.g., aviation, privacy, data security, public safety, and procurement).

• Design and implement internal policies, procedures, and training that operationalize compliance for cross-functional teams (product, operations, sales, and public safety programs).

• Monitor regulatory developments and emerging guidance that affect DFR, robotics, AI, and autonomous systems and translate them into clear requirements and actions for the business.

• Legislative & Regulatory Agenda

• Develop DXD’s legislative and regulatory agenda, aligned with the company’s mission, market strategy, and product roadmap.

• Identify, prioritize, and advance policy initiatives that support DFR adoption, man–machine teaming, and other DXD offerings, including at the federal, state, and local levels.

• Use available resources—outside counsel, industry coalitions, trade associations, and consultants—to influence policymaking and rulemaking processes consistent with DXD’s goals.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Strategy

• Partner closely with product, engineering, operations, public safety, and sales teams to ensure new offerings and deployments are legally sound and aligned with regulatory expectations.

• Provide clear communication and education to internal stakeholders on legal and policy risks, opportunities, and constraints.

• Contribute to long-term strategic planning, helping leadership understand how legal, regulatory, and policy developments may enable or constrain future growth.

About You

You may be a great fit if you have:

• A law degree (J.D. or equivalent) and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

• At least 2 years of experience in a law firm, with exposure to technology, government, regulatory, or public-sector-facing matters.

• Experience working in the federal government, in either the legislative or executive branch (e.g., congressional office/committee, federal agency, or similar policy role).

• Familiarity with or strong interest in public safety, defense, or autonomous systems and the unique legal and policy questions they raise.

• Demonstrated ability to manage outside counsel, including scoping, budgeting, and evaluating legal work.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and policy issues into clear, actionable guidance.

• Comfort operating in a fast-moving startup environment with ambiguity, where building frameworks and precedents is part of the job.

• A mission-first, service-oriented mindset aligned with DXD values: collaborative, pragmatic, and committed to operational excellence.

Why DXD

• Shape the legal, policy, and regulatory foundations of next-generation public safety and defense technology, including Drone-as-a-First-Responder programs.

• Work directly with founders, the CFO, and senior leaders who move quickly and care deeply about clarity, speed, and mission impact.

• Join a fast-moving, values-driven team with meaningful ownership over strategy, execution, and real-world outcomes for communities and first responders.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Deus X Defense welcomes talented people from all backgrounds. We provide equal opportunity in every stage of employment and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital or family status, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any status protected by law. We hire based on qualifications, merit, and mission impact.