Deputy Chief of Staff

Firestorm; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and visions plans

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Equity grants for new hires

Unlimited PTO

Generous holiday calendar

Job summary

Firestorm in San Diego, CA is seeking a Deputy Chief of Staff to support the CEO with calendar, inbox, travel, and meeting preparation, expanding into fundraising, special projects, and corporate development.

You will manage high-stakes calendars, prepare briefs, coordinate travel, and assist investor relations and board communications. This onsite role offers relocation support and a competitive benefits package, with a front-row seat to building a unicorn.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in a high-stakes EA role supporting a founder, CEO, or C-suite executive, or in an operations position in a startup.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Communications, Political Science, or a related field
• Proven ability to manage a complex, multi-stakeholder calendar and inbox with discretion and very few errors
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; you can write in someone else's voice
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using AI tools to work faster
• 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 such as legal, finance, and fundraising quickly and produce high-quality work
• Eligible to access export-controlled information; eligibility for a security clearance may be required

Responsibilities

• Own the CEO's calendar: set priorities, protect his time, resolve conflicts before they reach him
• Prepare him for meetings with agendas, briefing materials, and context
• Manage his inbox: sort, filter, and elevate only what requires his attention
• Plan and manage domestic and international travel including flights and lodging
• Track action items and follow-ups from meetings
• Provide administrative support to legal, operations, and fundraising efforts
• Support investor relations, updates, correspondence, and meeting preparation
• Build presentations for CEO initiatives and special projects

Skills

Executive support

Calendar management

Inbox management

Travel planning

Written communication

Verbal communication

Discretion

Bias toward action

Learning new domains

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI tools

Job description

Who We Are

At Firestorm, we're building toward a future defined by incontestable defense logistics. That means equipping warfighters with mission-critical capabilities at the point of need. Not in months, not from a depot halfway around the world, but now, in the field, on demand.

We're a VC-backed defense technology company pioneering an expeditionary manufacturing ecosystem that produces and sustains modular, mission-adaptable unmanned systems, parts and components for repair and sustainment, and the software to transform point solutions into a network of strategic assets.

We're building a team of engineers, operators, and problem-solvers who believe the future of deterrence cannot rely only on expensive, exquisite platforms made in centralized factories. We build and field affordable systems using distributed production capabilities at the edge. If you want to solve challenging problems that will reshape the future of defense, you're in the right place.

About the Role

Firestorm is looking for a Deputy Chief of Staff. You will report to the Chief of Staff and work directly with the CEO. The role covers the CEO's calendar, inbox, travel, and meeting preparation, and it extends into the work of the Chief of Staff: fundraising, special projects, operations, presentations for CEO initiatives, incubated ventures and corporate development.

Supporting the CEO comes first. His time and the information that reaches him are your responsibility, and everything else in this role depends on that running smoothly. Once it does, more of your time goes to strategic work, and the scope of what you own grows with it.

What You’ll Do

Support the CEO

• Own the CEO's calendar: set priorities, protect his time, resolve conflicts before they reach him, and push back on requests that do not deserve a slot
• Know what matters this week and what does not, and make sure his schedule reflects it
• Prepare him for every meeting with agendas, briefing materials, and context on who he is meeting and what needs to be decided
• Manage his inbox: sort through the noise, find the context, act on what does not need him, and elevate only what does
• Plan and manage all domestic and international travel, including flights, lodging, ground transportation, and itineraries
• Track action items and follow-ups from his meetings and make sure they get done
• Other duties as assigned due to business growth and needs

Special Projects and Corporate Support

• Administrative support: support legal, operations, and fundraise admin
• Fundraise: support the diligence process, including the data room and investor requests, maintain the investor pipeline and follow-ups
• Investor relations: support investor relations, including updates, correspondence, and meeting preparation
• Presentations: build presentations for special projects that advance CEO initiatives. This means shaping the narrative and the argument: you think critically about the content, bring in analysis and rationale where they are needed, and understand the business context behind them
• Special projects: support the CoS on early-stage projects, special initiatives, and corporate development
• Other duties as assigned due to business growth and needs

Who This Role Is For

• You enjoy technology, venture capital, and the work of building a company and want to learn how a company is built by working every day with the CEO of a unicorn.
• You are high agency. You do not wait to be told what to do. You see the gap and close it.
• You move fast, commit, and make decisions with incomplete information, and you own the outcome
• You are sharp. You pick up quickly on what matters in a meeting, a deck, or a set of documents.
• No task is too small for you, and you expect to be given more as you prove it

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years in a high-stakes EA role supporting a founder, CEO, or C-suite executive, or in an operations position in a startup. If you do not have this background, tell us why you would be a strong fit for the role
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Communications, Political Science, or a related field
• Proven ability to manage a complex, multi-stakeholder calendar and inbox with discretion and very few errors
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; you can write in someone else's voice
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using AI tools to work faster
• 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 such as legal, finance, and fundraising quickly and produce high-quality work
• Eligible to access export-controlled information (see Export Control Compliance below); eligibility for a security clearance may be required

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; you understand how a company operates and can follow the reasoning behind its decisions
• Experience preparing board-level or investor-facing presentations
• Exposure to legal or operations coordination in a lean, fast-moving company
• A steady, calm presence under pressure and in ambiguity
• Low-ego, direct communicator who gives and takes feedback well

Work Environment

This role is onsite at our headquarters in San Diego, CA, working directly with the CEO and Chief of Staff.

Relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer where appropriate.

Occasional travel may be required up to 15% of the time.

Compensation

US Salary Range: $100,000 - $140,000 USD

The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.

Benefits & Perks

Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Equity grants for new hires
• Unlimited PTO
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December
• Generous Parental Leave
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• FSA
• DCFSA
• HSA
• Hospital Indemnity insurance
• Critical Illness insurance
• Accident insurance
• Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm.Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well

Export Control Compliance

To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.

Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us [e-mail] we can provide the support you need.