Senior Associate, Strategy & Operations

The future must be created.

01 THE ROLE

Chemistry is the invisible layer under every critical system, and the supply chain behind it has become a weapon. The company makes the molecules that matter most, from the atom up: energetics, propellants, rare-earth extractants and the ignition chemicals already in production today.

The company is building the chemical prime for critical government industries. Our chemistry platform creates new routes to critical molecules, while our acquisition strategy brings the manufacturing infrastructure and customer relationships needed to deploy them.

As Senior Associate, Strategy & Operations, you'll report to the Director of Strategic Initiatives and help connect these two growth engines—turning breakthrough chemistry and acquired industrial capabilities into commercial opportunities. You'll work across technical, manufacturing, and commercial teams to advance market-entry strategies, government and defense partnerships, proposals, and the strategic initiatives that move the company toward production and revenue.

This is a builder role for someone who combines strategic thinking with an instinct for execution. You'll move between market analysis, customer opportunities, complex proposals, and hands-on implementation—creating new approaches to problems that have no established playbook.

THE KIND OF PEOPLE THIS WORK DEMANDS

Our mission demands more than great science. It requires a particular kind of team — visionary builders, hustlers, scientists, operators. Together, we carry both the technical depth to make the chemistry work and the commercial instinct to make the business thrive. People are our engine. Collaboration is our multiplier.

02 WHAT YOU'LL DESIGN AND BUILD

• Build commercialization pathways: Translate the company's chemistry platform and acquired manufacturing capabilities into market-entry strategies, customer opportunities, and commercial growth plans. Analyze market demand, competitive dynamics, and government priorities to identify the most promising pathways to revenue.

• Advance government & defense opportunities: Develop and coordinate proposals for government contracts, grants, and commercial partnerships, bringing together technical, financial, and operational inputs into compelling submissions. Help qualify new opportunities, manage pursuit timelines, and support relationships with U.S. and allied defense agencies, primes, and industrial partners.

• Integrate capabilities for growth: Partner with Corporate Development and functional leaders to translate acquisitions into operational and commercial integration plans. Coordinate cross-functional initiatives that connect new production capabilities, customer relationships, and the company's expanding chemistry portfolio.

• Build the systems that accelerate execution: Design lightweight operating mechanisms, decision tools, and repeatable processes that move strategic initiatives from opportunity identification through commercial execution. Bring clarity to complex challenges, align stakeholders, and accelerate progress without unnecessary bureaucracy.

03 WHAT YOU BRING WITH YOU

• 3–4 years of experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, or strategy and business operations at a high-growth startup.

• Track record of driving cross-functional initiatives from strategic planning through implementation.

• Strong commercial judgment and the ability to translate market analysis into executable growth opportunities.

• Experience developing strategic recommendations, business cases, proposals, or commercial plans.

• Ability to navigate complex stakeholders across technical, commercial, and operational functions.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including synthesizing complex information into compelling proposals and executive materials.

• High ownership, exceptional organization, and a bias toward action.

• Interest in defense, industrial technology, advanced manufacturing, or government markets is a plus.

04 EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE

This role involves access to data and systems subject to U.S. export control regulations, including ITAR. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual as defined under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

05 LOCATION & COMPENSATION

This role is remote but will require some travel (40%–60%). We are committed to developing a sustainable travel model across the team and will be thoughtful when requiring team members to travel, with a focus on travel only for high-value engagements.

The base salary range for this role is $125,000–$155,000.

The company offers a competitive benefits package, including

MEDICAL COVERAGE

A wide range of plans, with many options fully covered for employees and dependents at no cost to the employee.

401(K) WITH MATCH

Employer match up to 4% of eligible compensation.

PAID TIME OFF

Vacation, paid company holidays, and an end-of-year shutdown.

BONUS

The company is in the process of developing a bonus program. Once in place, bonuses will be discretionary and tied to individual and company performance.

EQUITY

You're joining at an early and consequential moment in the company's growth — equity commensurate with experience, with meaningful upside as we scale.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The company is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Be a creationary.