Entry Level Policy Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About Advanced Energy United
Advanced Energy United is a national industry association representing businesses that provide the full range of advanced energy and transportation solutions. Our team works to educate, advocate, and activate in decisionmaker venues across the country.
We advocate for public policies that enable competition and work alongside our member companies to create economic opportunity, lower consumer costs, and bolster energy reliability and resilience across the country. We work with decision makers at every level of government as well as regulators of energy markets to build progress toward an economy built on advanced energy.
If you're an entrepreneurial, innovative, analytical and thoughtful person looking to make an impact in the clean energy space, United might be the perfect place for you to share your talents. Team members at United are given the trust and responsibility to make big things happen, and myriad opportunities to learn new skills, explore new issue areas, and work with a broad cross section of the clean energy community. Being a team member at United also means working with a talented and diverse group of people, some who bring decades of experience spanning advocacy, philanthropy, clean tech, government and more-and our collaborative approach means we get to learn from each other, expert and novice, every day. And while our organization is fully remote, we are proud of the people-focused culture we have built and the connectedness of our team.
We work on serious issues, take our mission seriously, but never take ourselves too seriously.
Position Description
The DMEE team assists governors, state regulators, state energy office officials, and policymakers to better understand advanced energy products, services, and business models. Through conferences, business roundtables, and educational forums, United educates key stakeholders about the benefits advanced energy technologies and services can provide to customers and helps to solve the challenges in obtaining these benefits.
Reporting directly to the Senior Policy Director, the Policy Associate will be responsible for supporting state-level campaigns dedicated to ensuring key decision-makers are equipped with strategies to deploy affordable advanced energy solutions quickly to support their state's economy.
The ideal candidate has strong project coordination, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills, along with the ability to navigate evolving political and regulatory dynamics affecting the energy sector. While prior expertise in state energy policy is not required, successful candidates should demonstrate an interest in energy policy issues, a foundational understanding of the sector, and the ability to communicate effectively with external stakeholders and decision-makers regarding United's policy priorities. The ideal candidate is proactive, adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities. Candidates should be willing to travel approximately 1-2 times per quarter to meet with key stakeholders.
Responsibilities

• Support the execution of state-level regulatory advocacy campaigns
• Conduct research on state energy markets, political landscapes, policy developments, and key stakeholders to help inform advocacy strategies and campaign priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, advocacy organizations, coalitions, industry stakeholders, and regulatory staff.
• Support engagement with decision-makers and help communicate United's policy

priorities clearly and professionally.

• Use project management tools and internal systems to help track progress, manage deliverables, and support both short- and long-term campaign goals.
• Maintain organized records and documentation to support program knowledge sharing and operational continuity.
• Assist in preparing updates, reports, and presentations on campaign progress, outcomes, and key metrics for internal and external stakeholders, including United's member companies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 0 to 3 years of applicable work experience, preferably in policy analysis, campaigns, and/or policy advocacy.
• Experience in the advanced energy industry or advocacy community.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and navigate technical subject matter and to communicate key insights effectively to decision-makers.
• Independent self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit; candidates must be very comfortable working with colleagues in a remote environment, creating new projects, managing their own calendar, and delivering on high expectations.
• Strong interpersonal skills required; candidates must be able to successfully support productive relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, advocacy groups, industry experts, and regulators.
• Experience managing confidential information and intelligence.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Entrepreneurial sensibility comfortable with high levels of ambiguity and fluidity
• Experience in advancing a policy agenda and/or working with business leaders is a plus
• Willingness to travel as needed (up to 15%)

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.
Job type: Full-time, regular (residence in the U.S. required)
Location: Remote
Start date: June 2026
Salary: Starting at $63,000
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
• $75/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.