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Salary: USD 100,000 - 140,000 / annual
Firestorm is a VC-backed defense technology company pioneering expeditionary manufacturing for warfighters. The company builds distributed production capabilities at the edge to deliver mission-critical unmanned systems, parts, and software—enabling rapid sustainment and repair in the field rather than relying on centralized depot logistics.
As Deputy Chief of Staff, you will report to the Chief of Staff and work directly with the CEO. This is a dual-track role: your primary responsibility is managing the CEO's time and information flow, and as that runs smoothly, you expand into strategic corporate work.
**CEO Support (Primary)**
- Own and optimize the CEO's calendar: set priorities, protect time, resolve conflicts, and push back on non-essential requests
- Prepare him for every meeting with agendas, briefing materials, and stakeholder context
- Manage his inbox: filter noise, escalate only what requires his attention, and act on routine items
- Plan and execute all domestic and international travel (flights, lodging, ground transportation, itineraries)
- Track action items and follow-ups from meetings to ensure completion
**Strategic & Corporate Support (Secondary)**
- Fundraising: support diligence processes, manage data rooms, maintain investor pipeline and follow-ups
- Investor relations: prepare updates, manage correspondence, coordinate investor meetings
- Presentations: build and shape narratives for CEO initiatives and special projects; bring critical thinking, analysis, and business context
- Operations & legal: provide administrative support across functions
- Special projects: support the Chief of Staff on early-stage initiatives and corporate development
You will work onsite at Firestorm's San Diego headquarters with occasional travel up to 15% of the time. Relocation assistance is available.
**Requirements**
- 3+ years in a high-stakes EA role supporting a founder, CEO, or C-suite executive, OR in an operations position in a startup (alternative backgrounds considered if you can articulate why you're a strong fit)
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Communications, Political Science, or related field
- Proven ability to manage a complex, multi-stakeholder calendar and inbox with discretion and minimal errors
- Exceptional written and verbal communication; ability to write in someone else's voice
- High proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using AI tools
- Excellent judgment, discretion, and trustworthiness with confidential information
- Demonstrated ownership and bias toward action; you close loops without being asked
- Ability to learn unfamiliar domains (legal, finance, fundraising) quickly and produce high-quality work
- Eligible to access export-controlled information; eligibility for a U.S. security clearance may be required (must be U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))
**Preferred Qualifications**
- Experience in a venture-backed startup, defense, aerospace, or high-growth technology company
- Familiarity with fundraising, investor relations, or diligence processes
- Strong business sense and understanding of how companies operate
- Experience preparing board-level or investor-facing presentations
- Exposure to legal or operations coordination in a lean, fast-moving company
- Steady, calm presence under pressure and ambiguity
- Low-ego, direct communicator who gives and takes feedback well
