Head of Government Affairs

Job description

ABOUT FUSE We are building one of the most potentially consequential companies of the century. Our mission is to accelerate the world's transition to fusion energy while safeguarding humankind. This is not a normal company. This is not a normal job. We are committed for the long term to win. ABOUT THE ROLE You'll be responsible for Fuse's mission in Washington. Fuse sits at the intersection of national security and deeptech hardware, and decisions on the Hill and inside the Pentagon shape how fast we can scale. Your job is to turn policy and funding priorities into enacted language, appropriated dollars, and durable relationships — and bring Washington's signals back to leadership before they become obvious. WHAT WE VALUE - Obsess about the details — sloppy work costs us later, so do it right the first time. - Care — pick up the trash. Do things no one asks you to do. Go the extra mile because you care. - Act with urgency — every hour matters more than it feels like it does. - Be responsible for the outcome, not just the task; if it is not working, it remains your problem until it is fixed. - Assume good intent — disagree openly, then commit fully once a call is made. Core Responsibilities - Build & execute the strategy: design and drive Fuse's government affairs strategy across business lines and fiscal years, aligned to company goals and revenue targets. - Move the money: plan and execute campaigns across defense and energy & water authorizations and appropriations that translate directly into funded programs, from start to finish. - Carry the flag: represent Fuse before Members of Congress and their staff, committee and leadership staff, and senior executive branch officials. - Work both Congress and agencies: beyond Congress, build and deepen relationships inside the Pentagon and other government agencies (with support from other Fuse team members already working with government agencies) so Fuse's capabilities are understood where programs and budgets take shape. - Lead the team: direct outside lobbyists and consultants, set priorities, and hold the full effort accountable to outcomes rather than activity. - Integrate with the business: work directly with founders and business leadership to spot policy and funding opportunities, advise on legislative strategy, and coordinate with communications, legal, and business development on execution. - Set the agenda: anticipate policy debates that touch pulsed power, radiation effects, nuclear deterrence, and fusion energy, and position Fuse to shape them rather than react. - Build the shop: hire, develop, and lead the government affairs team as Fuse grows, including mentoring the Government Affairs teammate who runs the daily cycle. - Host the mission: lead high-level government visits to our facilities in San Leandro and Albuquerque, where the hardware does the talking. Minimum Qualifications - Top-tier mindset: low-ego, takes full responsibility for outcomes, mission-before-credit; comfortable operating in ambiguity. - A recognized leader in Washington: you carry a strong reputation on the Hill and in the building, and the people who matter take your calls. - Both angles of the mission: you have served as a congressional staffer on a relevant committee (defense appropriations, armed services, or energy & water) AND worked inside a high-growth startup. You understand what it takes to move the government and what it takes to build a company, and you can translate between the two. - A record of wins: you have moved language into the NDAA, secured appropriations, or delivered comparable legislative outcomes, and you can walk us through exactly how you did it. - Budget fluent: deep command of how the federal budget gets built, how authorizations and appropriations interact, and how to time engagement across the full cycle. - Strategic operator: you see around corners, set the agenda, and drive outcomes without waiting for direction. - Sharp communicator: persuasive in the room and precise on paper, whether the audience is a Member, a four-star, or a founder. - Willing to travel on short notice when the mission calls, including nights/weekends and whatever the mission demands. - Ethics and judgment: every interaction reflects on Fuse. You protect the brand and play the long game. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience building a corporate Political Action Committee. - Direct experience with nuclear deterrence, radiation effects, fusion energy policy, and with DoE and NNSA processes. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS - This position may require individual lobbyist registration under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. - Must currently possess, or be eligible to obtain and maintain, a U.S. security clearance. - US Person status is required. - This is not a remote position and will require relocation if not already local to Fuse's Washington, DC facility. - Position occasionally requires the ability to work extended hours and weekends when needed. - Position may require some business travel to other Fuse facilities. BENEFITS - Medical, dental, and vision coverage. - Relocation assistance for roles that require it. - Flexible time off. Take what you need, no accrual tracking. - 2 weeks of paid time off built into the end of each year (subject to team and business needs). - Supportive leave of absence policies. - Paid leave for new parents. ITAR REQUIREMENTS To conform to U.S. Government technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Fuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Fuse is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, ancestry, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.