Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff is a force multiplier for Turion’s co-founder and CEO. This is not a calendar and logistics role. It is an operator seat for someone who can write, research, build, and run programs at the speed the CEO works, across every part of the company.

You will take on the problems that do not yet have an owner: standing up new initiatives until they earn a dedicated leader, producing the content that carries Turion’s story inside and outside the company, and digging into the questions about markets, competitors, and acquisition targets that shape what we do next. You will travel alongside the CEO when the mission calls for it, keep his commitments moving when the day outruns them, and manage the executive assistant team that keeps the leadership office running.

This is a full-time, exempt position based on-site at our Irvine, California headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Content creation, the initial focus. Own high stakes internal and external content from the CEO’s office, including company wide communications, all hands materials, executive memos, board and investor narratives, talks, articles, and announcements, drafted fast and in the CEO’s voice.

• Program management for new initiatives. Act as product and program manager for initiatives the CEO launches. Scope the effort, build the plan, and drive cross-functional execution to first results.

• Backfill yourself. Run point on identifying the internal transfer or external hire who becomes each initiative’s permanent owner, then hand off cleanly before moving to the next one.

• Research projects. Own market research, competitive intelligence, and M&A evaluation, coordinating inputs from across the company and outside resources, and synthesizing findings into concise, decision ready briefs.

• Follow-through. Track commitments and open items coming out of the CEO’s internal and external meetings, and coordinate the follow-ups so nothing stalls or slips.

• Travel partnership. Serve as the CEO’s tag team partner on multi-night customer, government, investor, and conference trips when no one else from the team is going. Prepare briefings and materials, capture actions in the room, and drive follow-up after.

• Organizational leverage. Identify bottlenecks across the organization, whether decisions, processes, or staffing gaps, and develop and drive solutions with the relevant leaders.

• Executive support team. Manage the executive assistants supporting the CEO and leadership team. Set standards, delegate well, and keep the office of the CEO running smoothly.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years in high tempo, high ownership roles such as startup or business operations, management consulting, banking, corporate development, military officer, founder, or program management in a technical organization.

• Exceptional writer and communicator, able to produce polished, executive quality content quickly, in another person’s voice, for technical and non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrated success owning ambiguous, cross-functional projects end to end with minimal direction, and knowing when and how to hand them off.

• Strong research and analytical skills. You can structure a fuzzy question, gather the data, and deliver a defensible recommendation.

• Technical fluency and comfort operating alongside spacecraft engineers, including getting smart on unfamiliar technical topics quickly.

• High discretion with sensitive information including fundraising, M&A, and personnel matters.

• Willing and able to work onsite in Irvine, California, and to travel for multi-night trips, sometimes on short notice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or another deep tech hardware environment

• Familiarity with U.S. government customers and contracting

• Prior chief of staff, founder, or CEO office experience

• Hands-on M&A or investment diligence work

• Experience managing or mentoring administrative and executive staff

• A technical degree or MBA.

Chief of Staff Base Salary: $140,000 to $200,000 USD

Employees may be asked to support alternate shifts, extended shifts, and/or travel during peak work periods.

ITAR Requirements:

This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:

• Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

• Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan with a 3% Employer Direct Contribution to help you plan for your future.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.

• Parental Leave: Paid parental leave following the birth of a newborn or adoption.

• Emotional Wellbeing: A no-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your household’s emotional health and wellbeing.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing internal training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.

• Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment.

We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual.

Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.