Chief of Staff

The modern battlefield has changed. Cheap, autonomous suicide drones have turned the tactical advantage upside down, and the world is looking for a solution. At 9 Mothers, we aren't just "innovating." We are building the shield.

Backed by top-tier investors, we develop AI-powered machines designed to intercept and neutralize Group 1/sUAS threats in real time. Our flagship product, Edda, is a low-cost, autonomous-capable point defense turret that detects and engages high-speed FPV drones at close range.

While others build for "awareness" or "long-term research," we build for the immediate survival of those in harm's way. We are a team of hackers, engineers, and mission-driven builders who value field-ready capability over polished slide decks.

We are seeking a Chief of Staff to serve as the right hand to our CEO, ensuring executive focus, operational discipline, and cross-functional alignment as we scale rapidly. This is not an administrative role, it is a high-level operational leadership position for an assertive, strategic operator who can step in, offload executive burdens, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

While our engineering team is deep in technical execution, you will maintain the high-level, big-picture perspective across the entire company. You will manage executive communications, offload complex operational tasks (such as deciphering priorities and daily requirements, and aligning resources both internally and externally), and act as a critical buffer and diplomat in external partner and client interactions. If you excel at turning executive intent into seamless team execution and keeping strategic partnerships on track, this role is built for you.

• 4–8+ years of experience in business operations, Chief of Staff roles, management consulting, venture-backed startups, or high-velocity tech/defense environments.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven ability to navigate high-stakes partner/client meetings, manage cross-functional tension, and smooth over friction effectively.

• Ability to hold a company-wide view, understanding how daily engineering details tie into macro business goals, contracts, and customer commitments.

• Proven track record of stepping into ambiguous situations, dissecting complex tasks and bringing them to resolution independently.

• World-class written and verbal communication; capable of representing executive leadership internally to technical teams and externally to high-value partners.

• U.S. Citizenship and the ability to pass a background check.

• Background in defense tech, aerospace, robotics, or complex hardware startups.

• Experience reviewing or executing government/commercial contracts (e.g., SBIR/STTR, OTAs, commercial subcontracts) and understanding deliverables/invoicing flows.

• Direct prior experience working as a Chief of Staff or Ops Lead to C-suite founders/executives in a fast-paced environment.

• Active security clearance or the ability to obtain one.

• Initial screening with recruiter – 30 min phone call

• Virtual interview with co-founder / COO – 45 min via MS Teams

• Onsite interview in Austin with co-founders / COO and CEO