Head of Commercial Regulatory Affairs

About Poseidon Aerospace: Poseidon Aerospace is reimagining how the world moves goods. We build and operate full-size autonomous cargo aircraft; Heron, a seaplane, and Egret, a STOL aircraft; each capable of carrying two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. From remote communities to contested logistics operations, our platforms unlock a new cost curve for air freight, making it faster, cheaper, and accessible anywhere it's needed. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with locations in Washington DC, Oregon, and Maine; we're building something consequential. Role overview Poseidon is building a new category of autonomous cargo operations, and regulatory strategy is central to where, when, and how we enter markets. As Head of Commercial Reg Affairs, you will own Poseidon’s domestic and international commercial regulatory strategy, build trusted relationships with aviation authorities, and lead the regulatory campaigns that turn priority markets into executable pathways for paid flight operations. You will work directly with the FAA in the United States and with foreign civil aviation authorities across priority international markets, while using ICAO standards and frameworks to inform scalable global strategy. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can move between long-range strategy, direct regulator engagement, commercial decision-making, and disciplined cross-functional execution. Commercial Regulatory Affairs owns Poseidon’s domestic and international regulatory strategy, authority relationships, and operating-approval campaigns, while Aircraft Certification owns aircraft certification and airworthiness. Key Responsibilities Regulatory Strategy & Commercial Integration Own Poseidon's US and international commercial regulatory strategy, aligned to the commercial roadmap. Assess the regulatory feasibility of prospective markets, routes, sites, and operating concepts before commitments are made. Recommend where to invest, how to sequence campaigns, and when to defer or stop a pathway. Partner with Growth to convert regulatory uncertainty into explicit assumptions, schedule ranges, and go/no-go recommendations before launch dates, routes, or customer outcomes are set. Track FAA policy, foreign CAA requirements, ICAO standards, and operating precedent that could affect market entry. US & International Regulatory Affairs Build durable, candid relationships with the FAA, foreign CAAs, and relevant ANSPs, airport authorities, and national stakeholders. Lead commercial regulatory campaigns from early pathway definition through operating authorization and continuing obligations. Translate ICAO standards into practical country strategies, accounting for how each jurisdiction implements them, using qualified local advisers while retaining ownership of the strategy and authority relationship. Identify the federal, state, local, airspace, airport, and site-level requirements that materially affect the path to operations. Campaign Leadership Set the objective, stakeholder map, decision gates, and critical path for each priority campaign. Lead pre-application engagement, authority briefings, negotiations, and executive-level regulator interactions. Translate regulator questions and decisions into clear requirements, owners, priorities, and timing for Certification, Engineering, Mission Operations, Safety, Legal, and Growth. Maintain regulator trust through accurate communication, disciplined follow-through, and commitments that reflect Poseidon's actual readiness. Oversee approval conditions, renewals, and changes required as operations scale. Function Build-Out Build the Commercial Regulatory Affairs operating system: country playbooks, authority maps, precedent libraries, decision records, and obligation tracking. Select and manage local advisers and aviation counsel where they strengthen a campaign. Capture lessons from each jurisdiction so subsequent campaigns start with better information. Build and lead the team as the market portfolio grows. Qualifications Required 6+ years leading aviation regulatory affairs, operating approvals, or commercial market access. Direct experience with the FAA and at least one foreign civil aviation authority. A track record of advancing a novel or non-routine aviation approval or market-entry campaign from early authority engagement through authorization. Working knowledge of ICAO standards and how national authorities implement them. Experience in unmanned or autonomous operations, BVLOS, cargo, air-carrier/operator approvals, or another novel aviation environment. Strong commercial judgment, including the willingness to recommend against a market when the pathway isn't credible. Excellent regulator-facing communication, negotiation, and cross-cultural judgment; able to operate independently and travel as required. Preferred Secured or materially advanced operating approvals across multiple jurisdictions. Prior experience at an aviation authority, air carrier, unmanned aircraft operator, or international aviation organization. Built a regulatory affairs function and external adviser network from an early stage. What you get from us Competitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity Relocation support if applicable Employee Health Benefit Plans 6% Retirement matching Flexible PTO Free lunches, snacks, and a stocked fridge at our offices AI tools and subscriptions Even if you don't meet every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply. At Poseidon Aerospace, we value diverse perspectives and are always looking for talented individuals with unconventional backgrounds.