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Swarm Aero is building autonomous swarming aircraft systems and command-and-control software for U.S. defense. The company has developed Gamera, a Group 5 autonomous aircraft, and Legion, autonomy and C2 software for coordinating swarms of uncrewed systems. Backed by Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures, and Coatue, the team includes aerospace veterans from Scaled Composites, Airbus, Archer Aviation, Blue Origin, and Boom Supersonic.
As Head of Marketing, you will be the first marketer at Swarm Aero and will build the marketing function from the ground up. Your responsibilities include:
- Defining company identity, brand voice, visual identity, and core narrative from scratch
- Translating complex autonomy and command-and-control technology into compelling stories for diverse audiences (generals, program managers, reporters, investors, engineers)
- Owning internal communications: all-hands narratives, leadership messages, milestone announcements, and culture-building
- Managing major moments: product launches, program wins, funding announcements, partnerships, and customer milestones
- Building Swarm's presence at defense industry events (AUSA, Modern Day Marine, Sea-Air-Space, SOF Week) and in key decision-making forums
- Developing relationships with defense and tech media, preparing leadership for public appearances, and managing agency partners
- Partnering with recruiting to build employer brand and attract top engineering and operations talent
- Building the marketing function itself: tools, budget, vendors, processes, and hiring your team
You will work directly with founders and the CEO, with significant autonomy and ownership over the entire brand—internal and external. The role is hybrid based in Oxnard, CA with flexibility, but requires ability to be onsite as needed and travel to industry events and DC.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 8+ years in marketing or brand, including time as an early marketer at a high-growth startup where you built rather than inherited
- Strong storyteller who can distill technical concepts into memorable single-sentence narratives
- Experience shaping a company's identity, or demonstrated desire to do so
- Equal commitment to internal and external communications; understanding that culture is a story
- Knowledge that in defense, credibility is paramount—bold but never overpromising
- Comfort working directly with founders/CEO and willingness to push back on strategy
- Scrappy execution mindset; prefer shipping work yourself over lengthy agency briefs
- Belief in the importance of deterrence and desire for work to contribute to national security
BONUS:
- DoD, defense procurement, or government affairs experience
- Network in defense media, industry associations, or DC
- Track record building a marketing function from zero
REQUIREMENTS (LEGAL/OPERATIONAL):
- Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. security clearance
- U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain State Department authorization (ITAR compliance)
- Willingness to travel to industry events and DC as needed
