External Communications Specialist

Who We Are:

Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion. With the first generational leap in rocket engine technology since Apollo, our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets deliver historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. We are building the next generation of propulsion platforms that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. Our team thrives on solving the toughest engineering challenges and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in aerospace.

At Venus, we're looking for bold engineers and innovators who want to make history and redefine the future of propulsion.

About the role:

Venus Aerospace has built the world's first high-thrust rotating detonation rocket engine and is developing propulsion technology that could change what is possible across defense and space.

We are looking for an External Communications Specialist to help tell that story.

This is a hands-on role across earned and owned communications, with writing at the center of the job. We are looking for someone who is already a strong writer and communicator, but who is also eager to learn. You do not need to come in knowing everything about propulsion, aerospace or defense. You do need to be curious, ask good questions and want to understand the work well enough to communicate it clearly and credibly.

You will work with the Communications team and people across Venus to develop stories around our technology, people and progress. That could mean sitting down with an engineer to understand a test campaign, researching reporters for an upcoming milestone, drafting a media pitch, developing social content or helping prepare for a major announcement.

As you build experience at Venus, you will have the opportunity to take on more ownership across media relations, owned content and external storytelling. We want someone who is excited to contribute, bring ideas and help us continue building the Communications function as Venus grows.

This role is based on-site in Houston because being close to the work matters. Some of the best learning and the best stories will come from spending time with the people building and testing our technology and seeing the work firsthand.

• Write and edit media pitches, announcements, web copy, talking points, social content and other external communications.
• Support day-to-day media relations, including reporter research, media lists, pitching, inbound requests, follow-up and monitoring.
• Work with the Communications team and people across Venus to identify the stories behind our technology, programs, people, tests and milestones.
• Help develop and execute owned storytelling around those stories, from individual posts and web content to broader editorial themes and recurring content.
• Interview engineers, technical leaders, executives and other subject-matter experts and turn complex work into clear, accurate, compelling storytelling.
• Help shape the editorial cadence across Venus-owned channels and connect day-to-day content to broader communications priorities.
• Support communications around testing, flight, partnerships, launches, events and other major Venus moments.
• Research reporters, outlets and media opportunities and help develop thoughtful, targeted pitches tied to the stories Venus has to tell.
• Build familiarity with relevant reporters and take on increasing ownership of media relationships over time.
• Track media coverage and relevant industry conversations and surface useful opportunities or insights to the team.
• Maintain media materials, messaging resources and other communications tools that support the function.
• Capture basic photo and video when useful for…