Policy Principal - DC

Position Description

Advanced Energy United seeks a smart, innovative Principal to join our policy team with a focus on building our capacity to engage in Washington D.C., including on the Hill, with the Administration, and with coalition partners and allies. The Principal will work with United’s team members to develop and implement multi-year strategies and campaigns designed to achieve federal policy and regulatory wins via federal- and state-level engagement that expand markets for the advanced energy industry.

The Principal will work as part of a team on coalition building and advocacy in support of our policy priorities in Washington D.C., policy campaigns to enact pro-advanced energy legislation in D.C. and key states and defending existing advanced energy policies.  

The ideal candidate is energetic, creative, self-starting professional who brings a background in issue advocacy at the state or federal level, and experience with energy markets, advanced energy technologies and/or industrial policy. This role requires the ability to travel and engage with United members, coalition partners, stakeholders and public officials.

Responsibilities 

• Work collaboratively with United’s Policy Team members on developing and implementing strategies to meet short and long-term policy objectives in Washington D.C. and key states. This person will be responsible for helping to grow and maintain United’s presence in Washington D.C. on federal energy policy, industrial policy, critical minerals, permitting reform, and related issues. They will work to promote our policy priorities with allies and key decision makers on the Hill and in the Administration, and leverage state-level networks to influence and inform our work in D.C. 

• Work with United’s member companies to develop policy positions and reach consensus on policy positions on key issues around federal energy policy and regulation, industrial policy, and related issues at the federal and state levels. Facilitate member calls and lead policy discussions to coalesce member input and prioritize areas of interest and engagement.

• Work closely with United’s Policy Team members in states across the country in support of our Federal priorities. Translating federal developments to state-level decisionmakers, via our state network, and mobilizing state-level advocacy to advance federal priorities is a vital part of this role and central to United’s unique approach to federal advocacy. 

• Work with communications staff to identify and seize opportunities to showcase stories and evidence of advanced energy’s benefits at the state and local level across the U.S, as well as the impacts of changing federal policy. Identify and help tell clean energy stories. Draft press statements, write blog posts, participate in webinars, and create opportunities to showcase advanced energy.

• Work collaboratively with United’s policy team members on additional various policy areas as needed, ranging from transportation electrification to clean energy standards to utility business model reform.

• Organize member engagement opportunities through direct decision maker engagement including lobby days and candidate education, earned media, and expert testimony; and participate in legislative, rulemaking, and administrative processes.

• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with coalition partners and allies in the industry, labor, and environmental space as well as key legislative, regulatory and administrative staff.

• Travel on an as needed basis (up to 30%) to targeted states for advocacy days, conferences, meetings with key allies and stakeholders, communications outreach, and other efforts on behalf of United.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, Political Science, Public Policy, Economics or Engineering preferred or applicable comparable experience

• Minimum of four years of professional experience and engagement in the policymaking, energy, and / or industrial sector   

• Political campaign or organizing experience, preferably in the clean energy space is a plus, as is experience in federal policymaking. 

• A demonstrated interest in energy issues, industrial policy, and transportation electrification, as well as an understanding of the importance of policy advocacy to advance an organizational agenda

• Entrepreneurial approach, flexible attitude, and ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, both written and verbal  

• Intellectual curiosity, inquisitive nature, and excellent listening and problem-solving skills

• Performance-oriented individual with a strong work ethic, demonstrated initiative and commitment to achieving goals

• Ability to distill complicated topics into easy-to-digest key takeaways

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is required to sit for long periods of time; reach with hands and arms; may need to balance, stoop, kneel or crouch,

walk up and down stairs.

Special Application Instructions   

To be considered for this position, you must submit a cover letter expressing why this position and organization interest you, along with a current resume.   

 
Job type: Full time, regular  

Location: Based in Washington D.C. (remote opportunity with access to office, must reside in DMV area)  

Start Date: October 2025  

Salary: Starting at 75,000

Advanced Energy United Perks include: 

•   Remote work and flexible schedule   

•   Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families    

•   Medical premiums covered for employees at 100%   

•   Flexible spending plans for health care and dependent care    

•   Profit sharing opportunities and annual merit-based compensation increases   

•   $50/month personal wellness reimbursement   

•   $50/month phone stipend  

•   Up to $200 reimbursement for home office set-up  

•   Accrued Paid Time Off, 11 federal holidays, and an annual end-of-year closure   

•   Parental Leave   

•   Professional development reimbursement   

•   401(k) plan (with matching incentives)   

•   WMATA Transit Smart Benefits (DC, MD, VA employees) 

Advanced Energy United is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application, interview process, and/ or to perform essential job functions please contact the Talent Acquisition team at careers@advancedenergyunited.org. We are committed to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across our organization (“DEIJ”). We also incorporate these values into our mission of making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. We know that varied perspectives and a commitment to social justice are needed to succeed in making the United States an advanced energy economy. We commit to building and supporting an inclusive workforce that represents different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints.