How to apply for Chief of Staff, Digital & Product

About Re:Build Manufacturing

Re:Build Manufacturing is rebuilding U.S. manufacturing with an end-to-end platform that takes products from concept to full-scale production. They work in aerospace and defense, electrification, medical, energy and environment, and robotics and automation. The company also follows 16 principles called The Re:Build Way.

About the role

This chief of staff role supports the Chief Digital and Product Officer. You will act as a thought partner and take ownership of high-priority initiatives from definition through execution. The job is remote in the US and full-time.

A typical day

A typical day might involve meeting with the Chief Digital and Product Officer to align on priorities, then driving a high-priority initiative by coordinating with cross-functional teams. You could also prepare briefings, analyze data, or represent the CDPO in meetings. The exact routine depends on current projects, so ask about typical workflows during the interview.

Who Re:Build Manufacturing is looking for

• Experience as a chief of staff or similar role supporting a senior executive in digital or product organizations.
• Ability to drive initiatives from definition to execution with minimal supervision.
• Familiarity with manufacturing, industrial tech, or product development in one of Re:Build's verticals (aerospace, electrification, medical, energy, robotics).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for executive-level thought partnership.

Tips for this application

• Read The Re:Build Way principles on their website and mention how you have applied similar collaboration principles in past roles.
• Tailor your resume to show specific examples of taking ownership of high-priority initiatives from start to finish.
• In your cover letter, name one or more of Re:Build's verticals (aerospace and defense, electrification, medical, energy and environment, robotics and automation) and explain your relevant experience.
• Since the role is remote, highlight your ability to work independently and manage senior-level stakeholders across distances.
• Avoid generic language about manufacturing. Instead, reference Re:Build's mission to revitalize America's manufacturing base and create jobs in deindustrialized regions.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your experience as a thought partner to a senior executive in digital or product.', 'A concrete example of an initiative you drove from definition through execution.', "Why you want to support Re:Build's mission to revitalize U.S. manufacturing.", 'How you align with The Re:Build Way principles (collaboration, partnership, community contribution).']

Research before applying

• Read The Re:Build Way principles on their website to understand their operating culture.
• Learn about Re:Build's end-to-end manufacturing platform and the five verticals they serve.
• Research the Chief Digital and Product Officer's background and public statements if available.
• Understand Re:Build's mission to create jobs in historically deindustrialized regions.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you have served as a trusted thought partner to a C-level executive in digital or product.
• A time you took ownership of a high-priority initiative and drove it from definition to execution.
• Your understanding of Re:Build's verticals and how digital and product support them.
• How you handle competing priorities and senior-level attention across multiple projects.
• Your familiarity with The Re:Build Way and how you would apply those principles in a remote setting.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without reading The Re:Build Way principles or referencing them in your application.
• Focusing only on general chief of staff duties without connecting to digital and product initiatives.
• Ignoring the remote nature of the role and not addressing how you manage senior stakeholders remotely.