First Mode is a creative engineering company solving the toughest problems on and off the planet, with the goal of having an outsized impact on the world around us. We build the barely possible.
From our state-of-the-art manufacturing and production facilities in Seattle and Perth, we design and deliver resilient, reliable solutions for the most demanding and constrained frontiers in existence. In the last year our engineers built a 2MW hydrogen fuel cell and battery powerplant to retrofit a three-story, 300-metric-ton-capacity diesel haul truck; designed the power source and refueling system for the world's first endurance race vehicle to be powered by liquid hydrogen; and delivered spaceflight hardware headed 370 million kilometers from Earth to asteroid 16 Psyche.
While each project is unique, we typically meld together robotics, automation, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, and advanced fabrication to create a new future across many industries. If you have exceptional talent and a vision for the future, we want to talk.
We're seeking an experienced, creative communicator who understands how the power of story can help our clients think about solving some of their biggest, most urgent engineering challenges.
The successful candidate will be excited about the impact that outstanding external media and content programs can have in bringing brands to life, be skilled at discovering, crafting and landing stories that resonate with desired audiences, be able to thrive in a fast-paced, technically rigorous environment, and be able to manage competing, changing priorities.
This Marketing and Communications role will partner with Engineering, subject matter experts, project leads, HR, and business development teams to build global awareness of First Mode. This is a great opportunity to help ideate, discover, create, and deliver world-class content for a fast-growing creative engineering company.
This position requires phenomenal writing skills, strong collaboration ability, excellent judgment, and an ability to juggle creative execution with a strategic mindset.
Position Responsibilities

• Become our internal reporter -- mining for our great and very often technical stories and behind-the-scenes details, and turning them into inspirational and fact-based media opportunities and owned content
• Develop and execute the external technical communications strategy, aligning it with company goals and objectives - in close connection with subject matter experts throughout the organization
• Support the VP Marketing and Communications through a technical media relations program including the development of a global company speakers bureau
• Create a strategic events program, research and pitch key influential trade shows and conferences
• Create content to support corporate positioning and company announcements, including press releases, messages, fact sheets, blog posts, profiles, white papers, etc.
• Build launch strategies and draft respective communications as we bring new products or announcements to market
• Drive our industry/product awards program
• Support internal and visual communications as needed, in concert with team members
• International experience: you can successfully engage and coordinate across multiple locations, subsidiaries, and time zones
• Strong planning skills: You know how to manage complex projects, multiple stakeholders and competing priorities to create an actionable plan and get the most impactful work done. You build feedback loops that will make your plan a success: determining and informing the right stakeholders, gaining their buy-in and keeping them informed. Relentless follow-through.
• Naturally Curious: Your approach to finding out internal information and updates is like that of a reporter, you take initiative in investigating what the company is up to and can formulate stories that will translate across all audiences within the company

Basic Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in PR, media relations, and external content development and distribution

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of PR experience driving communications for fast-growing B2B/B2C technology companies
• Experience/knowledge of clean energy and sustainability a bonus
• Experience supporting internal communications a bonus
• Proven track record of creating impactful and measurable communications campaigns
• Ability to fluidly navigate between strategy and execution (can develop high-level strategic plans and quickly produce crisp, clear communications that drive results, e.g.)
• Experience developing and implementing PR and media strategies that garner earned coverage in technology/engineering, sustainability, regional, and trade/vertical publications.
• Have maintained relationships with reporters - able to get along with just about anyone
• Capacity for developing customer and competitive situational awareness
• Experience writing engaging and informative copy that people actually want to read
• Exceptional storyteller and content producer - portfolio of earned content and impactful placements you can't wait to share
• Proven ability to set a strategy, influence buy-in from multiple stakeholders, and activate for execution against a plan - demonstrated understanding of keeping audience in mind
• Profound attention to detail and a high bar for creativity and quality
• Perseverance and curiosity - Interest in learning new content areas and ability to quickly engage with new concepts and ideas
• Ability to tactfully handle competing and/or tight deadlines

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to travel between First Mode USA sites with potential to travel to other locations

Location

• This position will be located at First Mode's headquarters in Seattle, WA where we are designing and building incredible hardware, and will be required to work on-site where our engineers are >60% of working hours

Eligibility

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive compensation and bonus structure
• 100% employer-paid health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Flexible PTO with 12 week supplementary paid parental leave and winter shutdown
• 401(k) retirement account with a discretionary employer match
• Commuter benefits (parking and public transportation)
• A culture that encourages professional growth with learning and development reimbursements
• Open and collaborative workspaces with free office snacks and lunches
• Hybrid work model

First Mode is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with First Mode is governed on the basis of merit, 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.
Notice to First Modejob applicants: First Mode will never ask you to pay money or provide sensitive personal data to process a job application. If someone representing themselves as being associated with First Mode asks for any personal information as part of an application process, please report this immediately to [email protected]