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

Due to the nature of the position, U.S. citizenship is required due to ITAR regulations, along 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 Pare