Your space-enabled career begins here

About the Company

We are a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our focus is on capturing civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore.

The company is a public benefit corporation headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, university endowments, and private investment offices. We operate as an idea meritocracy in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis.

About the Job

As Chief of Staff to the CEO, you will be a strategic partner to the CEO and a force multiplier across the organization. This is a high-impact position that requires systems-building, strong communication, operational rigor, and deep ownership and commitment. You will help ensure that the CEO’s time, focus, and decision-making are directed toward the highest-leverage projects, and you will play a key role in designing and executing management systems that increase clarity, transparency, velocity, and autonomy company-wide.

In addition, you will be central to the development and implementation of our "corporate operating system" as we grow from 75 people to 200 and beyond—designing and documenting the principles and processes that allow us to work together effectively.

As an individual, you blend high levels of disciplined organization and follow-through with a system-builder's obsession with visualizing, designing, redesigning, and executing organizational systems from the ground up. You are comfortable with ambiguity and change, exhibit high levels of personal energy, intelligence, and drive, and are intrinsically driven to learn and become expert at a range of technological tools. You probably read widely. You are expert at synthesizing complex information and tracking complex project threads across areas that can include engineering, R&D, investor relations, finance, and capital-projects execution. Finally, you are an excellent communicator with a track record of leadership and a strong commitment to truth and transparency.

Certain strong candidates will have experience and high competence in areas of finance, science, engineering, or software engineering, although this is not required.

This role will include administrative responsibilities, including calendar and travel management, communications coordination, and meeting preparation, until an Executive Assistant is hired. Candidates must be comfortable balancing strategic management with high-touch operational support.

Responsibilities:

• Top-level Systems Building: Work collaboratively with the CEO to design and execute management systems to increase velocity, clarity, and autonomy team-wide and increase the probability of successful company-wide planning and execution.
• Running the CEO's Management "Machine": Directly enhance the CEO's ability to manage numerous projects, communications, and external relationships.
• Operational Partnership with the CEO and Senior Team Leads: Act as an extension of the CEO in meetings and communications, synthesizing and disseminating information, surfacing critical issues, and ensuring consistent follow-through.
• Project Coordination: With and on behalf of the CEO, work closely with technical program managers and team leads to continuously enhance project planning, identify planning gaps, and proactively align necessary resources.
• CEO Enablement: Until an Executive Assistant is hired, personally manage and prioritize the CEO’s calendar, travel, and key communications to optimize his time and focus.
• Board and Investor Coordination: Contribute to preparation, execution, and follow-up for board meetings and key investor touchpoints, including creation of presentations, agendas, and strategic materials.
• Internal Communications: Draft key internal communication materials, organize events, and help shape a culture of transparency and decentralized leadership through excellent information-feedback loops.

Recommended Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience in strategic, operational, or executive-level roles in high-growth companies or organizations.
• Strong strategic thinking, structured problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Comfort representing the CEO and company in high-stakes settings, including with internal teams, external partners, investors, and other key stakeholders.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to track and help drive multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong affinity for, and facility with, technology (beyond basic office software).
• Proven ability to influence without authority and build trust across all levels of an organization.
• Discreet and trustworthy with sensitive, confidential information.
• Experience in or strong affinity for technology-oriented, engineering-driven companies.
• Experience either in directly leading a team or in supporting team management through close partnership with leadership to oversee operations and guide team direction.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and frequent change; must be able to operate without rigid structure and adapt quickly as priorities shift, including navigating evolving perspectives and direction from leadership.
• Strong emotional intelligence and an understanding of organizational dynamics; able to navigate complex interpersonal situations and build effective working relationships across diverse teams.

Additional Attributes:

• A strong background in finance, engineering, software engineering, or science may be beneficial, but is not required.
• Brings a thoughtful, curious approach to problem-solving; challenges the status quo with intention and substance, and is energized by experimentation, learning, and trying new things with excitement and creativity.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be based in Portland, Oregon, or willing to relocate rapidly (relocation assistance provided).
• Willingness to work nonstandard hours, including evenings and weekends, to support the CEO and company needs as required.

Compensation and Benefits:

If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:

• Cash compensation of $180,000–$225,000.
• Equity in the company. We’re all owners and if we’re successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
• A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:
  • Flexible paid time off
  • Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold level PPO plan for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Dental insurance (the company pays 33% for full time employees and 100% for their partners and dependents)
  • Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
  • Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long term financial support if you become disabled)
  • Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
• Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

Location:

This is an on-site position. Our offices are located in Portland, Oregon.