Chief of Staff to CEO - Strategic Initiatives

Aeva Inc.; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock grants

Medical, Dental, Vision

Unlimited PTO

11 paid holidays annually

401k plan

Job summary

Aeva Inc. is seeking a technically strong Chief of Staff to CEO for Strategic Initiatives in Mountain View. You will lead high-priority technical, strategic, and operational initiatives from ambiguity to execution, partnering with engineering, product, manufacturing, operations, and commercial teams.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in program leadership or engineering operations, a B.S. in engineering, and experience in fast-paced tech environments.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in program leadership, engineering, operations, or execution-intensive roles.
• Hands-on OPM, EPM, or TPM experience.
• B.S. degree in engineering or equivalent hands-on development.
• Experience in fast-paced tech environments with cross-functional leadership.
• Background in hardware, LiDAR, robotics, autonomy preferred.
• Ability to influence without authority and manage external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-priority technical, strategic, and operational initiatives for the CEO from ambiguity through execution and measurable results.
• Work across engineering, product, manufacturing, operations, and commercial sales teams to resolve blockers, align priorities, and drive decisions.
• Navigate sensitive customer, supplier, partner, and internal escalations; identify practical solutions and ensure accountability and follow-through.
• Analyze complex technical and business issues, anticipate risks, and provide concise recommendations to the CEO, the CTO and leadership team.
• Step in as a hands-on program leader when needed to accelerate critical outcomes.
• Ability to travel up to 10% as needed.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Leadership

Education

B.S. in engineering

Job description

Chief of Staff to CEO - Strategic Initiatives

Mountain View, CA

About Us

Aeva’s mission is to bring the next wave of perception to a broad range of applications from automated driving to industrial robotics, consumer electronics, consumer health, security, and beyond. Aeva is transforming autonomy with its groundbreaking sensing and perception technology that integrates all key LiDAR components onto a silicon photonics chip in a compact module. Aeva 4D LiDAR sensors uniquely detect instant velocity in addition to 3D position, allowing autonomous devices like vehicles and robots to make more intelligent and safe decisions.

Role Overview

We are seeking a technically strong, resourceful leader for the Chief of Staff and Strategic Initiatives role to drive strategic priorities and complex cross-functional initiatives. The ideal candidate brings hands-on Operations Program Management (OPM) or Engineering Program Management (EPM) experience, with strategy, business, and broader operations experience a strong plus. They combine sound technical judgment, business acumen, and an ownership mindset to navigate challenging internal and external situations, develop practical solutions, and drive teams to clear outcomes quickly. Prior founder, CEO, or COO experience at a high-growth startup is a significant advantage.

This is an in-office role five days per week.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead high-priority technical, strategic, and operational initiatives for the CEO from ambiguity through execution and measurable results.
• Work across engineering, product, manufacturing, operations, and commercial sales teams to resolve blockers, align priorities, and drive decisions.
• Navigate sensitive customer, supplier, partner, and internal escalations; identify practical solutions and ensure accountability and follow-through.
• Analyze complex technical and business issues, anticipate risks, and provide concise recommendations to the CEO, the CTO and leadership team.
• Step in as a hands-on program leader when needed to accelerate critical outcomes.
• Ability to travel up to 10% as needed.

What you'll have:

• 7+ years in program leadership, engineering, operations, or similarly execution-intensive roles, including hands-on OPM, EPM, or TPM experience.
• Strong technical foundation and experience delivering complex hardware programs from development through launch;
• B.S. degree in engineering or similar hands-on development experience required
• Experience in fast-paced, high-growth technology environments, with strong cross-functional leadership, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in advanced hardware, sensing, LiDAR, robotics, autonomy, or data center/optical technologies strongly preferred.
• Exceptional ability to influence without authority, manage external stakeholders, and translate complexity into clear decisions and outcomes.

What's in it for you:

• Be part of a fast-paced and dynamic team
• Very competitive compensation and meaningful stock grants
• Exceptional benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and more
• Unlimited PTO

Salary Range

$124,000—$167,800 a year

Salary pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, certifications, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges are subject to change in the future. Depending on the position offered, equity, bonus, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, pre-tax commuter and health care/dependent care accounts, 401k plan, life and disability benefits, flexible time off, paid parental leave, and 11 paid holidays annually.

Aeva is an Equal Opportunity Employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.