I'm working with a venture-backed defence technology start-up in Germany that is building a highly complex hardware capability from the ground up. The business is transitioning from early-stage engineering into a critical phase of scale - including the development of a new production facility and the expansion of engineering and operational teams. They are now looking to hire a Chief of Staff to work directly with the Founder. The Role This is not a traditional "strategy" Chief of Staff position. It is a hands-on, execution-focused role, sitting at the centre of the business - ensuring that: Teams are aligned and working towards clear priorities Key projects stay on track Engineering and operational efforts are coordinated effectively The organisation scales with structure, clarity and pace You will act as an extension of the Founder, taking ownership of critical internal initiatives and driving them through to completion. What They're Looking For There isn't one single background that defines this hire. Strong candidates are likely to come from environments such as: Defence, aerospace or deep tech scale-ups Drone / robotics / autonomous systems companies Complex hardware or advanced manufacturing businesses High-growth startups operating in regulated industries Consulting backgrounds with proven transition into operational roles More important than background is mindset. This role requires someone who: Has a strong bias toward execution and delivery Is comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving environments Can coordinate across teams without relying on hierarchy Is capable of taking ownership of complex problems and solving them independently Wants to be part of building something from an early stage Key Requirements Experience working in complex, technical environments Strong organisational and operational capability Experience working closely with senior leadership or founders Fluent German language skills (essential) Willingness to be on-site (this is not a remote role) Why This Role Work directly with a founder building a highly ambitious defence technology company Be part of building a production capability and organisation from scratch Operate at the centre of a scaling, high-impact business Take ownership of critical initiatives with real responsibility Clear pathway into broader leadership responsibility over time If this sounds relevant, or you're curious to learn more, feel free to reach out directly or apply.