Senior Executive Assistant

Focused Energy is a fusion energy startup with the goal of generating unlimited clean energy to responsibly meet future global demand. With the use and commercialization of laser-induced inertial fusion, a clean and highly efficient power generation technology is coming within reach, suitable to ensure a secure and scalable future energy supply.

We are seeking a proactive, detail-driven Senior Executive Assistant to support our CTO and, over time, the broader technical leadership team (VPs, Directors). This is a senior-level EA role for someone who thrives in complex, dynamic, technical environments and can act as an extension of the CTO—anticipating needs, reducing friction, and ensuring smooth execution across scientific, engineering, and cross-functional programs.

This person will own calendar and communication management, operational coordination, and light project management. They will help the CTO stay aligned with priorities, keep initiatives moving, and create the structure needed for an engineering org operating at high velocity.

What you’ll do:

Executive & Operational Support

• Manage complex calendaring, scheduling, and prioritization across time zones, ensuring the CTO is prepared and focused on mission-critical work.

• Anticipate needs, triage requests, and proactively remove friction from the CTO’s day-to-day workflow.

• Prepare the CTO for meetings through briefing materials, agendas, pre-reads, and follow-up documentation.

• Support travel arrangements and coordinate logistics for domestic and international trips.

• Serve as a strategic gatekeeper, managing inbound requests and ensuring alignment with priorities.

Project & Program Coordination

• Partner with the CTO on project tracking: updating timelines, following up on action items, and ensuring cross-functional clarity.

• Assist with small to mid-size operational projects—process improvements, documentation, tracking engineering milestones, or coordinating technical reviews.

• Work closely with program managers, engineering leads, and operations teams to support planning rhythms (OKRs, roadmaps, technical reviews).

Communication & Documentation

• Draft, review, and refine internal communications, memos, and updates on behalf of the CTO.

• Maintain high-quality documentation for technical leadership meetings, engineering leadership forums, and cross-functional conversations.

• Ensure follow-through on decisions, with clear summaries and action-item tracking.

Leadership Team Support

• As the org grows, provide EA/coordination support to VP- and Director-level technical leaders.
  Help establish consistent operating rhythms for the technical org: meeting cadences, agendas, document hygiene, and communication patterns.

• Support onboarding of new technical leaders into CTO org workflows and processes.

Who you are:

• 7+ years of Executive Assistant experience supporting C-level or VP-level leaders. Preferred experience in technology, engineering, scientific, or high-complexity environments.

• Proven ability to manage dynamic and shifting priorities in fast-moving organizations.

• Experience with basic project or program coordination; comfort working with technical teams a plus.

• Strong written communication skills; able to produce clear, structured summaries and messaging.

• Exceptionally organized with strong judgment and impeccable attention to detail.

• Understand CTOs operating style and patterns. Proactive and calm under pressure; anticipate and unblock hard and soft barriers.

• Ability to think strategically, create bandwidth for the CTO. Manage stakeholders creatively.

• Strong interpersonal presence, diplomacy, and the ability to work across engineering, operations, and executive teams.

• Fast learner who is comfortable in a highly technical environment and curious about the science/engineering context.

• High integrity and discretion—trusted to manage sensitive and confidential information.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.