Regulatory Affairs Director
San Francisco, California
Government Affairs /
Full-Time Remote /
Remote
Who we are
The problem: Every minute matters in fire response. As climate change amplifies the intensity of wildfires—with longer fire seasons, dryer fuels, and faster winds—new ignitions spread faster and put more communities at risk. Today, most wildfires are detected by bystanders and reported via 911, meaning it can take hours to detect a fire, verify its exact location and size, and dispatch first responders. Fire authorities need a faster way to detect, confirm, and pinpoint fires so that they can quickly respond—preventing small flare-ups from becoming devastating infernos.
About Pano: We are a 100+ person growth-stage hybrid-remote start-up, headquartered in San Francisco. We are the leader in early wildfire detection and intelligence, helping fire professionals respond to fires faster and more safely—with the right equipment, timely information, and enhanced coordination—so that they can stop a new ignition before it grows. Pano AI combines advanced hardware, software, and artificial intelligence into an easy-to-use, web-based platform. Leveraging a network of ultra-high-definition, 360-degree cameras atop high vantage points, as well as satellite and other data feeds, Pano AI produces a real-time picture of threats in a geographic region and delivers immediate, actionable intelligence.
Pano AI is on TIME's list of the 100 Most Influential Companies of 2025! MIT Technology Review listed Pano as one of the top 15 climate tech companies to watch in 2024, and Fast Company named Pano AI one of the Top 10 most innovative companies in AI of 2023. We’ve also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and CNBC News. Pano AI’s dozens of government and enterprise customers span 16 states in the U.S., five states in Australia, and BC, Canada, and we are currently monitoring over 30 million acres of land. Pano AI has raised $89M in venture capital funding from Giant Ventures, Liberty Mutual Ventures, Tokio Marine Future Fund, Congruent Ventures, Initialized Capital, Salesforce Ventures, and T-Mobile Ventures. Learn more at https://www.pano.ai/.
The Role
The Director of Regulatory Affairs will lead Pano AI’s engagement with utility regulators, public utility commissions (PUCs), and other key regulatory and policy stakeholders at the state and federal levels. This role focuses on shaping a favorable regulatory environment for wildfire detection technology and accelerating market adoption through strategic regulatory advocacy and collaboration with Pano's utility sales team. Pano AI is the utility sector leader in rapid detection and situational awareness – this role is crucial to the company’s continued growth in the sector.
This position is new and requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution. Reporting to the VP for Global Government Affairs and working closely with the utility practice, it blends policy advocacy, regulatory strategy, stakeholder engagement, and business support, all aligned toward revenue growth and market transformation.
What you’ll do
- Regulatory and Policy Strategy: 1. Develop and execute a national and state-level regulatory strategy to promote the adoption of AI-enabled wildfire detection technology by electric utilities. 2. Monitor, analyze, and engage with regulatory proceedings, dockets, and legislative developments relevant to wildfire mitigation, grid resilience, and rate recovery mechanisms. 3. Advise internal leadership on emerging regulatory risks and opportunities affecting Pano’s utility business.
- Advocacy and External Engagement: 1. Build and maintain trusted relationships with public utility commissioners, regulatory staff, consumer advocates, trade associations, and other policy stakeholders. 2. Lead preparation and submission of written comments, testimony, and filings in regulatory proceedings. 3. Represent Pano AI at hearings, workshops, and conferences; participate in relevant industry working groups and coalitions. 4. Position Pano as a thought leader on wildfire detection and grid resilience policy issues.
- Sales and Commercial Support: 1. Act as a regulatory resource and partner to Pano’s Utility Sales team during customer engagement, RFP processes, and negotiations. 2. Provide strategic insights on cost recovery pathways, regulatory approval processes, and relevant policy drivers impacting utility purchasing decisions. 3. Support sales teams with customer education materials, regulatory position papers, and responses to regulatory-related questions from utility clients.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: 1. Work closely with Government Affairs, Product, Engineering, Legal, and Marketing to ensure regulatory trends and customer needs are integrated into product roadmaps and corporate strategy. 2. Help develop public messaging and thought leadership content that advances Pano’s policy objectives.
What you’ll bring
- 8–12+ years of experience in regulatory affairs, energy policy, utility operations, or related fields.
- Direct experience engaging with state Public Utility Commissions and/or federal energy regulators.
- Track record of successful regulatory advocacy, including comment filings, testimony, or policy wins.
- Experience working in or with investor-owned utilities, utility regulators, or technology vendors serving the utility sector.
- Strong knowledge of utility regulatory frameworks, including rate-making, cost recovery, and grid safety regulation. Direct experience in wildfire planning a plus.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to distill complex technical and policy topics into compelling, accessible narratives.
- Ability to develop trusted relationships with both regulatory bodies and commercial teams
- High business acumen with a strong understanding of how regulatory issues drive revenue and market expansion.
Preferred Attributes
- Familiarity with wildfire mitigation planning processes, PSPS protocols, etc.
- Experience working at a tech company serving the utility sector, for a Public Utility Commission, or within a utility’s regulatory affairs team.
- Understanding of the intersection between AI/technology solutions and public safety infrastructure.
- Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort working in a fast-growing, mission-driven technology company.
$165,000 - $200,000 a year
Final salary offered is based upon multiple factors, including individual job-related qualifications, education, experience, knowledge, skills and location. In addition to salary, this position is also eligible for stock options. We offer comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, unlimited paid time off, and matching 401k.
Pano is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and supporting our team-members regardless of where they come from. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
