Spire Global COO Celia Pelaz to Lead Schaeffler Defence & New Space
SPIR•Spire Global’s COO and board member Celia Pelaz will depart on October 1, 2026 to become CEO of Schaeffler’s new Defence & New Space subsidiary, STech Defence GmbH. Pelaz joined Spire in January 2025 after over 25 years in aerospace and defence, leaving a senior operations role open at the satellite data provider.
1. Executive Transition at Spire Global
Spire Global announced that Celia Pelaz will step down as Chief Operating Officer and member of its management board effective October 1, 2026 to assume the CEO role at STech Defence GmbH, Schaeffler’s newly formed Defence & New Space subsidiary. This move follows Pelaz’s tenure at Spire beginning in January 2025.
2. Pelaz’s Tenure and Industry Experience
Pelaz brought more than 25 years of international defence and space expertise to Spire Global, having held senior operations and strategy roles at Airbus Defence & Space and Hensoldt AG. At Spire, she oversaw day-to-day operations and contributed to satellite data and analytics initiatives.
3. Leadership Gap and Next Steps
Spire has not yet announced a successor for the COO position, creating uncertainty around operational leadership. Market participants will watch for interim appointments and organizational updates as Pelaz prepares to transition to Schaeffler.
