State and Local Government Affairs Manager

Zipline

full-time

Posted on: 1/9/2026

Location Type: Remote

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About the role

Tactically engage local government officials in cities Zipline serves and plans to serve, relying on established relationships or quickly building new ones
Serve as an expert on key state and local issues related to operating an autonomous drone delivery network, including site infrastructure needed to scale; trust in our approach to safety, sound, and privacy; other common areas of public concern; and the value and impact our service can have for people and communities where we operate
Collaborate cross-functionally with team members, with an emphasis on land use, permitting, and other local approvals, to ensure operational consistency
Coordinate and lead site visits and other local events for government officials across multiple metros
Help develop processes to ensure company-wide operational continuity and ensure systems are routinely kept up to date
Monitor local and state policy proposals (ordinances, legislation, and rulemaking) and make recommendations for Zipline engagement, when appropriate
Execute a routine outreach plan to elected officials, track engagement, and act on follow-up inquiries as necessary
Assist with state-level government affairs projects as needed, including interacting with state legislative and executive branch officials

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
4+ years of experience working in government affairs at the state or local level, with an emphasis on the intersection of public policy, innovation, and new technology
Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% of the time
Confidence in presenting new and complex technology in a way that inspires your audience, shapes public perception, and addresses common areas of concern
Ability to build trust quickly because you are authentic, direct, and care about the communities where you work
Passion for new technology and the benefits it can provide to people and communities
Excellent communication (verbal and written), advocacy, and interpersonal skills
Enjoyment of working in high-stakes and time-sensitive situations, and enthusiasm for securing business-critical regulatory approvals alongside the business
Bonus points for relevant experience working on technology policy issues within state and local government (ideally autonomy, robotics, transportation, or related fields)

Benefits

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

government affairspublic policyinnovationnew technologyregulatory approvalslegislationrulemakingadvocacy

communicationinterpersonal skillstrust buildingpresentation skillsauthenticitydirectnessenthusiasmability to work under pressure

Bachelor's degree