Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff The Company Roadrunner Venture Studios is the nation's leading platform for founding breakthrough ventures in frontier technology. Our mission is to turn deep technology into breakthrough companies for the benefit of the American people. Together with engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs, we build products, create initial business models, recruit exceptional teams, align companies with their first customers, and provide initial funding. Roadrunner is launching a new photonics platform focused on building a scaled, vertically integrated domestic leader serving the U.S. Government, defense prime contractors, and commercial markets. The company is pursuing an acquisition-led strategy to bring together leading photonics technologies and capabilities into a single enterprise. The Opportunity We are seeking a Chief of Staff to work directly with the CEO during a period of rapid growth, acquisitions, and company building. This is a highly strategic and operational role spanning M&A, government customers, investors, executive operations, and the integration of acquired businesses. The Chief of Staff will serve as a force multiplier to the CEO, taking ownership of critical priorities and helping build the systems and operating cadence required to scale the company. The role offers significant exposure across the business and the opportunity to grow into a broader executive operating position as the company scales. What You'll Do Drive high-priority strategic and cross-functional initiatives from planning through execution. Establish and manage executive operating rhythms, including leadership meetings, planning cycles, KPI reviews, and Board preparation. Prepare the CEO for Board meetings, investor discussions, government engagements, and acquisition activity. Support acquisition diligence, integration, and other corporate development initiatives. Build analysis and recommendations around markets, competitors, investments, and strategic opportunities. Support relationships with the Department of Defense, defense primes, federal agencies, investors, and other key stakeholders. Drive alignment and communication across the executive team and acquired businesses. Step into important operating gaps and special projects as the organization scales. Preferred Qualifications 7+ years of progressive experience across defense or government, consulting, investment banking, private equity or venture capital, corporate development, or high-growth technology companies. Experience working in or around the defense and national-security ecosystem. Experience with deeply technical or engineering-driven businesses such as photonics, semiconductors, aerospace, quantum, or advanced manufacturing. Experience owning ambiguous, cross-functional initiatives and driving them to completion. Exposure to M&A, including diligence, integration, or portfolio company operations. Strong executive presence and experience working with senior leaders, Boards, investors, or government customers. Exceptional written, analytical, and verbal communication skills. High ownership, sound judgment, low ego, and a strong bias toward action. Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment. U.S. Government security clearance or ability to obtain one. Bachelor's degree; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred. Career Growth This role is designed for a high-potential operator who wants to grow into executive leadership. As the company scales, the Chief of Staff will have opportunities for increasing ownership, P&L exposure, and progression into a broader operating role.