Special Projects Lead

The Mission

Space is the bleeding edge for humanity's next industrial revolution. While reusable rockets have opened the door, true economic transformation requires infrastructure that makes orbit as accessible and reliable as air travel. At Lux Aeterna, we're building that future by developing the first reusable satellite platform with return capability - transforming space from a one-way street into a two-way highway for innovation and commerce.

The Opportunity

The sole objective of this role is to make the company run faster.

We're looking for a high-agency operator who gets satisfaction from closing loops, fixing broken processes, and doing whatever needs to be done so the team can focus on building and flying spacecraft. This is not a narrow role. It is a role for someone who wants real ownership early, who doesn't flinch at unglamorous work, and who wants to be trusted with more responsibility as fast as they earn it.

Why Lux Aeterna?

Pioneering Technology: We're developing the first reusable satellite platform with controlled return capability, fundamentally transforming space from a one-way journey to a two-way trade route

Real Impact: Your work will enable new industries in space manufacturing, research, and logistics while pioneering sustainable space infrastructure

Speed & Autonomy: We maintain parallel hardware development streams and empower engineers to innovate rapidly while upholding rigorous aerospace standards

World-Class Team: Work alongside experts from leading aerospace companies and research institutions, building technology that will reshape humanity's access to space

The Role

Run Special Projects End-to-End

Get handed ambiguous problems and be expected to figure out the path forward.

• Own high-consequence projects from "this is a mess" to "this is done"
• Coordinate across teams when needed and keep things moving
• Surface issues early instead of letting them surprise leadership

Make the Place Work

Own the day-to-day reality of the office and lab to free up other members of the team. 

• Receive shipments, coordinate inventory placement, keep the workspace functional and stocked
• Manage vendors, services, subscriptions, and logistics without things slipping
• If something is broken, missing, or inefficient, you fix it or find the person who can

Eliminate Operational Friction

Take on the admin, paperwork, and coordination work to make the rest of the team move faster.

• Vendor onboarding, forms, RFPs, purchasing workflows, internal trackers
• Turn half-formed requests into finished outputs without drama
• Build simple systems so the same problem doesn't show up again next month

Support Leadership

Light executive support when needed: occasional scheduling, travel, meeting prep, follow-ups. The goal is leverage, not calendar babysitting.

Required Qualifications

• 2–6 years in operations, consulting, program support, or similar execution-heavy roles
• Proven ability to operate in messy, fast-moving environments with shifting priorities
• Impeccable written communication and presentation skills
• Ability to translate technical concepts into clear documentation
• High trust, discretion, and reliability when handling sensitive information
• Demonstrated follow-through and ability to close loops without supervision
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to context-switch quickly between diverse tasks and priorities
• Problem-solving mindset with bias toward action over analysis paralysis

Desired Experience

• Early-stage startup experience, particularly in hardware or deep-tech companies
• Hardware, lab, manufacturing, or aerospace exposure
• Strong instincts for process improvement without over-engineering solutions
• Experience managing vendor relationships and procurement workflows
• Background in executive support or chief of staff roles
• Experience coordinating across technical and non-technical teams

Location & Work

We are based in Denver, CO and believe in the power of in-person collaboration. We are onsite 5 days/week by default, but flexible when life requires it.

Certain roles may involve access to export-controlled technical data. To comply with U.S. export-control laws, access may be limited to individuals who qualify as a “U.S. person” under 22 C.F.R. §120.62 or who otherwise may lawfully receive such access.