diff --git a/client/contexts/AuthContext.tsx b/client/contexts/AuthContext.tsx
index 6cd3de67..652acaf5 100644
--- a/client/contexts/AuthContext.tsx
+++ b/client/contexts/AuthContext.tsx
@@ -269,11 +269,14 @@ export const AuthProvider: React.FC<{ children: React.ReactNode }> = ({
       try {
         let r = await aethexRoleService.getUserRoles(userId);
         // Auto-seed owner roles if logging in as site owner
-        const ownerEmail = userProfile?.email?.toLowerCase();
-        if (ownerEmail === "mrpiglr@gmail.com" && !r.includes("owner")) {
-          const seeded = Array.from(
-            new Set(["owner", "admin", "founder", ...r]),
-          );
+        const normalizedEmail = userProfile?.email?.toLowerCase();
+        if (normalizedEmail === "mrpiglr@gmail.com" && !r.includes("owner")) {
+          const seeded = Array.from(new Set(["owner", "admin", "founder", ...r]));
+          await aethexRoleService.setUserRoles(userId, seeded);
+          r = seeded;
+        }
+        if (normalizedEmail && /@aethex\.dev$/i.test(normalizedEmail) && !r.includes("staff")) {
+          const seeded = Array.from(new Set(["staff", ...r]));
           await aethexRoleService.setUserRoles(userId, seeded);
           r = seeded;
         }