External Communications Specialist

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.

Responsibilities

• 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 day‑to‑day storytelling and work with the broader team on larger creative needs.

Requirements

• Writing is the most important skill for this role. We want someone who likes to write and cares about getting the language right.
• Ability to take complicated information, understand what matters and make it accessible without losing the substance.
• Approximately 3–5 years of experience in communications, public relations, journalism, content or a related field.
• Strong writing and editing skills across different formats and audiences.
• Good editorial judgment and an instinct for what makes something interesting, relevant or newsworthy.
• An interest in media relations and a willingness to pitch reporters.
• Curiosity and an eagerness to learn technical subject matter.
• Comfort asking questions and working with engineers, executives and other subject