Director of Communications

About Castelion

Castelion is bringing a new approach to defense development and production: one that focuses on short, iterative design cycles, rapid testing in development, and modern commercial manufacturing strategies for production at scale. Were designing, building, and testing next generation long range strike weapons systems to give America and its Allies a definitive edge and deter future conflicts.

Director of Communications

We're seeking a Director of Communications to lead Castelion's storytelling and external communications efforts. This role is responsible for crafting and amplifying our public voice across leading media outlets and key external stakeholders.

You'll be the steward of our message: that the spirit of World War II's engineering miracles - the B-17, the Liberty Ship, the Manhattan Project - is alive again at Castelion. We are rekindling a uniquely American tradition: solving the hardest problems, at speed, through industrial ingenuity and national unity.

This is a rare opportunity to define the communications foundation of a fast-growing, mission-driven company building systems that matter.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own Castelion's communications strategy: defining our voice, message, and narrative across all public-facing channels.
• Connect past and present: build storytelling that ties Castelion's focus on modern manufacturing, speed, and deterrence to the WWII spirit of collective industrial achievement.
• Translate technical innovation into human-centered stories: work directly with founders and engineers to make cutting-edge work accessible and compelling.
• Own relationships with top-tier media outlets: develop and manage strategic partnerships with key journalists and publications to shape public perception and expand visibility.
• Prepare Castelion executives for media engagements: manage messaging, provide media training, and coordinate press opportunities.
• Lead external communications: web, social media, press, events, public statements, and community presence.
• Drive recruiting communications campaigns that attract elite, mission-aligned talent.
• Serve as guardian of the brand: ensure clarity, consistency, and conviction in everything we put into the world.
• Monitor media and policy trends: ensure Castelion leads in shaping the national conversation around deterrence, innovation, and industrial strength.

Who You Are

• A strategic communicator: you turn complex ideas into unforgettable messages.
• A builder: you're excited to create a function from scratch and take high ownership.
• A storyteller: you write, speak, and shape narratives with skill and confidence.
• A mission-driven patriot: you believe in the American industrial spirit and want to help revive it.
• A content creator: you're comfortable writing copy, developing presentations, and directing multimedia production.
• A collaborator: you work seamlessly across technical and non-technical teams.
• A fast-mover: you thrive in urgency and focus on delivering real impact.

Basic Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in communications, marketing, or public affairs - ideally in defense, aerospace, industrial tech, or mission-critical sectors.
• Proven track record developing and executing communications strategy in a startup or high-growth environment.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and message development skills.
• Demonstrated media coverage and existing relationships with top-tier media outlets.
• Experience preparing executives for interviews, panels, and press appearances.
• Experience managing digital channels (web, social), media relations, events, and recruiting or policy campaigns.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Comfortable working in or adjacent to classified/dual-use technology spaces.
• Familiarity with U.S. defense policy, industrial base issues, or military modernization.

Leadership Qualities

Bias to Action and Creative Problem Solving. Desire and experience questioning assumptions in ways that lead to break through ideas that are ultimately implemented. Successfully bring in applicable processes/concepts/materials from other industries to achieve efficiency gains. The ability to personally resolve minor issues in development without requiring significant support.

High Commitment, High Initiative. A successful candidate will have a genuine passion for Castelion's mission and consistently look for ways to contribute to the company's technical goals and prevent hardware blockers. Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere. Strong sense of accountability and integrity.

Clear Communicator. Proactively communicates blockers. Trusted in previous roles to be voice of company with regulators, suppliers, gate keepers and customers. Capable of tactfully managing relationships with stakeholders to achieve company-desired outcomes without compromising relationships. Emails, IMs and verbal interactions are logical, drive clarity, and detailed enough to eliminate ambiguity.

ITAR Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Employment with Castelion is governed on the basis of competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

All employees are granted long-term stock incentives as part of their employment at Castelion. All employees receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance, and the company offers four weeks of paid time off per year.