Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff

Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid on-site, with up to 20% travel supporting executive engagements, customer meetings, and strategic initiatives) Clearance Requirement: U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance

About NODA

NODA is a veteran-owned, venture-backed technology company that is transforming how unmanned systems collaborate in complex, mission-critical environments. We are developing next-generation solutions that enable the autonomous orchestration of heterogeneous unmanned systems across air, sea, land, and space with vital applications in the defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.

The Chief of Staff sits at the center of NODA AI's executive function, serving as a force multiplier for the CEO and leadership team. As NODA scales through its next phase of growth, this role is critical to ensuring the company operates with clarity, alignment, and speed across every function.

Joining NODA means working on meaningful technology that pushes the boundaries of autonomy alongside a team that thrives on innovation, rapid iteration, and collaboration.

The Role

We are seeking a Chief of Staff to serve as a trusted partner and operational right hand to NODA AI's CEO and Executive Leadership Team. You will own the connective tissue that keeps the company aligned, informed, and moving at the pace the mission demands, translating strategic intent into operational execution and ensuring the leadership team focuses its time and energy on the highest-priority decisions and opportunities.

Your work will span executive operations, strategic communications, cross-functional programme management, board and investor relations support, and special projects. You will work across every function of the business, from Engineering and Product to Business Development, Finance, and People Operations, with visibility into everything and accountability for ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

This role is not a coordinator or scheduler seat. It requires someone who can operate at the strategic level alongside the CEO, drive decisions independently, represent the company with external stakeholders, and build the operational infrastructure that scales with the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted partner and strategic advisor to the CEO, providing counsel on business decisions, organisational priorities, and leadership challenges
• Own the CEO's operating rhythm including calendar management, time prioritisation, meeting preparation, and follow-through on commitments and action items
• Lead preparation for board meetings, investor updates, executive offsites, and all-hands communications, including materials development, narrative alignment, and follow-up
• Drive cross-functional strategic initiatives from definition through execution, coordinating across Engineering, Product, BD, Finance, People Operations, and other functions on behalf of the CEO
• Identify and resolve misalignments, blockers, and gaps across the leadership team before they become problems, escalating with clear options and recommendations
• Design and run the company's operating cadence including leadership syncs, quarterly business reviews, OKR processes, and strategic planning cycles
• Develop and maintain executive-level communications including internal updates, external briefings, board materials, investor communications, and customer-facing presentations
• Partner with the executive team on organisational design, headcount planning, and talent strategy as the company scales
• Build trusted relationships with key external stakeholders including investors, board members, customers, partners, and government officials, representing the CEO when needed
• Lead or support special projects and strategic initiatives that require cross-functional coordination or direct CEO involvement
• Maintain strict confidentiality and discretion across all sensitive business, personnel, and strategic matters

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in chief of staff, strategy, management consulting, investment banking, business operations, or a directly comparable role supporting senior executive leadership
• Demonstrated experience operating at the executive level, partnering directly with a CEO, President, or C-suite leader in a high-growth or mission-critical environment
• Experience in defense, national security, aerospace, or a regulated technical environment, or demonstrated ability to ramp quickly in a complex domain
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional initiatives, drive decisions, and deliver results without direct authority across a matrixed organisation
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, including executive-level presentations, board materials, and external stakeholder communications
• Strong analytical and structured thinking skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information and translate it into clear recommendations and action
• Experience designing and running executive operating cadences including leadership syncs, OKR processes, and strategic planning cycles
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive business, personnel, and strategic information
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DoD security clearance, Secret or higher
• Prior military service or significant experience working with military or government organisations
• Experience at a venture-backed startup or high-growth technology company, ideally through a Series A to Series C transition
• Background in management consulting, investment banking, or private equity with exposure to defence, aerospace, or national security sectors
• Experience supporting board of directors meetings, investor relations, and fundraising processes
• Familiarity with federal acquisition, government contracting, or defence procurement environments
• MBA or advanced degree from a leading institution

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic operator who thinks at the executive level and executes at the detail level, bridging the gap between vision and delivery
• Trusted advisor with the judgment and discretion to handle sensitive information and navigate complex stakeholder relationships on behalf of the CEO
• Proactive and anticipatory, identifying what needs to happen before being asked and removing obstacles without needing direction
• Exceptional communicator across all audiences, from engineers to board members, both written and verbal
• Calm and composed under pressure, maintaining clarity and effectiveness when priorities shift rapidly and stakes are high
• Highly organised, managing multiple concurrent initiatives, commitments, and stakeholders without losing track of details or follow-through
• Collaborative partner who builds trust quickly across functions while maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality
• Mission driven, with a genuine commitment to NODA AI's defence mission and the people who serve it

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 + Company match
• Equity grants for new hires
• Unlimited PTO
• 11 Paid holidays
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December.
• Generous Parental Leave
• Military Leave for annual training or service requirements
• FSA
• DCFSA
• HSA
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Access to One Medical
• 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

NODA AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace and to maintaining equitable employment and hiring practices. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state,