Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Company

Diffraqtion is building the world's first Quantum Camera, a device that replaces a conventional camera and edge AI processor by computing at the speed of light. We are an 11-employee startup backed by DARPA, NASA, and leading venture investors, and founded by MIT and Harvard scientists with deep roots in AI, optics, and quantum sensing. We are delivering orders-of-magnitude improvements in resolution, processing speed, and energy efficiency for machines and satellites that need to see and think at the edge. 

The Role

We are hiring an Operations Manager, reporting directly to the CEO, to take ownership of day-to-day operational tasks to keep our team moving forward. This is a broad, hands-on role spanning facilities, events, contracting, accounting, IT, and executive support tasks. The ideal candidate is a generalist who thrives in an early-stage technical environment, enjoys wearing multiple hats, and takes pride in keeping a growing company organized. 

Note : This position requires U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent resident status, or eligibility for authorization under U.S. export control regulations (ITAR/EAR).

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain the office space and team areas
• Coordinate with building management and various service providers
• Serve as primary organizer for meetings, investor & customer visits, and team events
• Support implementation of workplace safety and security policies
• Manage office-related purchasing and inventory management
• Support technical-related purchasing, order tracking, and supplier invoicing
• Track supplier, vendor, customer, and investor contracts
• Assist with day-to-day IT logistics and data handling procedures
• Support day-to-day HR activities including employee onboarding, payroll processing, and benefits enrollment
• Process expense reports and reimbursements
• Manage internal communications
• Support marketing and publicity activities
• Coordinate external events and travel arrangements
• Compile and format materials for board meetings and investor updates
• Other responsibilities as required

Qualifications

• 5 - 7 years of experience in operations, office management, or executive support, ideally at an early-stage startup
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and building processes from scratch rather than following established ones
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with sound judgment on when to escalate vs. handle independently
• Experience with business software (Microsoft Office, QuickBooks or similar) at an admin level
• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools (e.g., Claude / ChatGPT) to increase productivity and automate routine tasks
• Comfortable handling sensitive or confidential information (HR, legal, financial, government contracting)

Nice to have (not required)

• Prior experience in startup environments
• Prior experience in government-regulated or export-controlled industries (aerospace, defense, etc.)
• Prior experience with highly technical engineering or scientific research teams
• Prior experience with advanced legal documentation
• Prior experience with accounting or financial reporting

Benefits (available for Full-Time employees)

• Company equity options on a high-growth startup
• Medical, dental and vision 
• Company 401K match
• Company discounts
• Unlimited PTO

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Diffraqtion is committed to fostering an inclusive and meritocratic workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify our Human Resources Department.