Policy Jobs in District of Columbia
Policy jobs in District of Columbia are among the most active in the nation, concentrated in federal government agencies, think tanks, nonprofit advocacy organizations, and international institutions that make the district one of the world's densest policy markets. Hiring runs from entry-level policy analyst roles to senior director and principal positions, with the heaviest demand in Washington, DC itself, where employers like the Brookings Institution, the Urban Institute, and the Center for American Progress maintain lasting footprints. Health policy, economic policy, and foreign affairs are the most consistently in-demand specialties. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Senior Director, Space & Satellite Policy will help to drive Viasat's policy engagement across satellite communications, spectrum, telecommunications, and commercial space matters. Serving as the company's principal advocate before the U.S. Executive Branch and Congress. This leader will shape policy outcomes that support Viasat's growth and advance the company's position in the evolving space and communications ecosystem.
Working closely with cross functional teams and business leaders, the Senior Director will develop and execute advocacy strategies and provide strategic counsel on policy developments impacting Viasat's commercial and government businesses.
Policy Leadership
- Working with other stakeholders, develop and execute strategies to advance Viasat's interests in satellite, telecommunications, spectrum, and space policy matters.
- Analyze developments in the policy and political environment and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
- Lead advocacy efforts before the U.S. Executive Branch [and Congress] on key issues including spectrum access, satellite licensing, direct-to-device services, commercial space policy, and emerging communications technologies.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers and industry stakeholders.
Space & Satellite Policy
- Partner with technical and business leaders, as well as other members of the Government Affairs and Regulatory teams, to develop strategies to advance the company’s space and satellite policy advocacy.
- Support engagement on commercial space policy, satellite operations, and other policy and regulatory initiatives.
- Represent Viasat in industry forums, coalitions, and trade associations addressing space and satellite policy matters.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Legal, Engineering, Strategy, Business Development, Communications, Government Affairs, and Regulatory teams to align policy priorities with business objectives.
- Prepare executives for meetings, industry events, and policy engagements.
- 10+ years of experience in telecommunications policy, regulatory affairs, spectrum management, government affairs, or space policy.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. space, satellite, and spectrum policy frameworks.
- Experience developing and advancing successful public policy strategies.
- Strong written, verbal, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to work effectively across technical, legal, and business teams.
- Experience at the FCC, NTIA, Department of Commerce, on Capitol Hill, or within the satellite, telecommunications, aerospace, or technology sectors.
- Familiarity with international space, satellite, and spectrum policy frameworks, including ITU processes.
- Knowledge of direct-to-device, mobility, broadband, and next-generation satellite networks.
- Established relationships within the satellite, telecommunications, and commercial space policy communities.
The Senior Director, Space & Satellite Policy will help to drive Viasat's policy engagement across satellite communications, spectrum, telecommunications, and commercial space matters. Serving as the company's principal advocate before the U.S. Executive Branch and Congress. This leader will shape policy outcomes that support Viasat's growth and advance the company's position in the evolving space and communications ecosystem.
Working closely with cross functional teams and business leaders, the Senior Director will develop and execute advocacy strategies and provide strategic counsel on policy developments impacting Viasat's commercial and government businesses.
Policy Leadership
- Working with other stakeholders, develop and execute strategies to advance Viasat's interests in satellite, telecommunications, spectrum, and space policy matters.
- Analyze developments in the policy and political environment and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
- Lead advocacy efforts before the U.S. Executive Branch [and Congress] on key issues including spectrum access, satellite licensing, direct-to-device services, commercial space policy, and emerging communications technologies.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers and industry stakeholders.
Space & Satellite Policy
- Partner with technical and business leaders, as well as other members of the Government Affairs and Regulatory teams, to develop strategies to advance the company’s space and satellite policy advocacy.
- Support engagement on commercial space policy, satellite operations, and other policy and regulatory initiatives.
- Represent Viasat in industry forums, coalitions, and trade associations addressing space and satellite policy matters.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Legal, Engineering, Strategy, Business Development, Communications, Government Affairs, and Regulatory teams to align policy priorities with business objectives.
- Prepare executives for meetings, industry events, and policy engagements.
- 10+ years of experience in telecommunications policy, regulatory affairs, spectrum management, government affairs, or space policy.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. space, satellite, and spectrum policy frameworks.
- Experience developing and advancing successful public policy strategies.
- Strong written, verbal, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to work effectively across technical, legal, and business teams.
- Experience at the FCC, NTIA, Department of Commerce, on Capitol Hill, or within the satellite, telecommunications, aerospace, or technology sectors.
- Familiarity with international space, satellite, and spectrum policy frameworks, including ITU processes.
- Knowledge of direct-to-device, mobility, broadband, and next-generation satellite networks.
- Established relationships within the satellite, telecommunications, and commercial space policy communities.
See All 167+ Policy Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Policy JobsPolicy Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Policy Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in policy jobs across District of Columbia.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in public policy, political science, or a related field
- Experience analyzing legislation, regulations, or federal agency rulemaking processes
- Strong written communication skills for memos, briefs, and congressional testimony support
- Familiarity with DC's federal agency landscape and the legislative process on Capitol Hill
- Ability to manage stakeholder relationships across government, nonprofit, and private sectors
- Proficiency in quantitative or qualitative research methods for policy evaluation and reporting
Policy Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a policy professional in District of Columbia?
Most policy roles in DC require at least a bachelor's degree in public policy, political science, economics, or law, and many positions at think tanks, federal agencies, and advocacy organizations prefer or require a master's degree or JD. There is no single DC-specific license for policy work, but the district's hiring path is highly network-driven. Internships with federal agencies, congressional offices, or established DC institutions like the Congressional Budget Office or executive branch departments are the most direct routes in.
Which companies hire policy professionals in District of Columbia?
Companies currently hiring policys in District of Columbia include Johns Hopkins University, STAND TOGETHER, and Meta, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. The district's unique concentration of federal agencies, multilateral organizations, and long-standing advocacy groups means hiring is spread across a wider range of institution types than most markets.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most policy jobs?
Washington and Washington are the cities with the most policy openings in District of Columbia. Washington, DC dominates by a wide margin because it is home to the federal government, hundreds of trade associations, major think tanks, and international institutions, while nearby areas in Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland draw overflow hiring from contractors and organizations that cluster near federal headquarters.
Are there remote policy jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 84% of policy openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much policy research, writing, and analysis can be done off-site. Research and writing-heavy roles at think tanks and advocacy organizations tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions requiring regular Hill access or in-person agency coordination are typically hybrid or fully on-site.
How can I get hired as a policy professional in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a paid internship or fellowship with a federal agency, congressional office, or a DC institution like the Government Accountability Office or a major trade association. Programs such as the Presidential Management Fellows program and agency-specific student volunteer or recent graduate hiring authorities are built for candidates without full professional experience. A master's in public policy from a DC-area university also signals seriousness to local employers and often comes with built-in placement networks.
Where can I find and apply to policy jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to policy jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the district's federal agencies, think tanks, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and interest, and apply directly.
See All 167+ Policy Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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