Nuclear Regulatory Associate

Company Overview

Zeno Power is the leading developer of nuclear batteries – compact power systems that provide reliable, clean energy in frontier environments. By harnessing the heat from radioisotopes, Zeno's batteries power critical missions on Earth, in space, and at sea. To bring this technology to market by 2027, Zeno is seeking purpose-driven and innovative professionals who are comfortable working in a startup environment. Team members will have a direct impact in enabling commercial and national security missions from the depths of our oceans, to the surface of the moon, and in austere environments here on Earth. Zeno is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated workforce. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Nuclear Regulatory Associate

Zeno is seeking a highly motivated Nuclear Regulatory Associate to support the mission-oriented efforts of developing and bringing to market Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) technologies to support our maritime deployments. A key member of the Zeno Regulatory Team, this role will provide support across licensing, compliance tracking, and cross-functional coordination as Zeno moves its technology from development into commercial scale deployment.

The ideal candidate has a nuclear background and is comfortable operating in spaces with little to no precedent. This candidate should be energized by the pace and ambiguity associated with a startup that's building a new commercial product.

In this role you will:

• Support license applications and regulatory submissions for RPS technologies with nuclear and non-nuclear regulators, including preparing supporting documentation and tracking submission status through to approval.
• Track regulatory workstreams, deadlines, and deliverables across multiple concurrent licensing efforts, coordinating tasks across the organization and maintaining related documentation.
• Research and synthesize federal and state maritime nuclear regulatory requirements (e.g., NRC, DOT/PHMSA, USCG, etc.) to support the team's regulatory strategy.
• Draft briefing decks, regulatory summaries, white papers, and reference materials to inform decisions by company leadership.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Quality, Program Management, Legal, etc.) to ensure regulatory requirements are built into program milestones and technology development schedules.
• Support external engagement with regulators, technical groups, and industry partners as needed.
• Maintain organized regulatory records and work within knowledge-management systems such as Confluence to enhance institutional knowledge as the team and its licensing portfolio grow.
• Adapt to shifting priorities and evolving regulatory requirements as Zeno's first-of-a-kind technology moves to commercialization. 

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical, scientific, legal, or policy discipline (e.g., health physics, nuclear engineering, environmental sciences, nuclear law/policy, or similar).
• 4-6 years of relevant experience in a nuclear-regulated environment.
• Experience with regulatory documentation, licensing processes, or compliance tracking in the nuclear industry.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate regulatory requirements for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated adaptability and comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment with shifting priorities and limited precedent.
• Excitement to work cross-functionally and a proven track record of success through coordination.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with NRC byproduct material licensing (10 CFR Part 30) or similar radioactive material licensing/possession frameworks.
• Experience supporting regulatory engagement for a first-of-a-kind or novel technology program in a regulated industry.
• Experience working with a Radiation Safety Officer or under a Radiation Protection Program. 
• Familiarity with maritime, offshore, or subsea regulatory environments.
• Familiarity with EPA or DOT/PHMSA hazardous materials regulations. 
• Proficiency with Confluence and Jira for documentation management and workstream tracking.

Job Functions

• Position requires in-office presence in Washington, D.C. (Mt. Vernon/Chinatown) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Remote work is optional on Mondays and Fridays
• Travel: Travel is required, approximately 10-15%
• Motor Abilities: Sitting and/or standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)
• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 15 pounds
• Repetitive work: Prolonged
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary band for this position is $105,000-135,000. In addition to base salary, equity is a material component of our compensation package. The final job level and compensation will be determined by various factors such as a candidate's relevant work experience, skills, qualifications, certifications, and other business considerations.

In addition to competitive compensation, we also offer a generous benefits package, which includes:

• Stock options
• Flexible paid time off
• 401k plan with employer match
• 16 weeks of paid family leave
• ⁠11 observed company holidays
• Employer HSA contributions
• Life insurance
• Transit benefits to put toward commuting expenses
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Professional development
• Employee recognition program
• ⁠Company-sponsored ClassPass benefit to support employee wellness
• ⁠Dog friendly office 

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Export Control

Applicants for employment at Zeno Power must be a U.S. person. The term “U.S. Person” means (i) a U.S citizen or U.S. national; or (ii) any natural person who is a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e., holds a Green Card), as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or as a “protected individual” defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., admitted as a refugee or is granted asylum).