Senior Counsel, Government & Commercial Contracts

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 out 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 work force. 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.

Senior Counsel, Government & Commercial Contracts

Zeno Power is seeking an experienced Senior Counsel, Government Contracts to serve as the company's lead attorney for U.S. government contracting matters. Reporting to the Chief Regulatory & Legal Officer (CRLO), this role will support Zeno's rapidly expanding portfolio of Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, and other federal government programs as the company transitions from research and development into commercialization and deployment.

This individual will be responsible for advising business leaders on government contracts, subcontracts, procurement regulations, compliance obligations, intellectual property protections, and federal acquisition strategy. The ideal candidate is a pragmatic business partner who can operate independently in a fast-paced startup environment and help build the legal infrastructure necessary to support a growing national security and energy technology company.

The successful candidate will work cross-functionally with engineering, finance, business development, supply chain, program management, and executive leadership to structure, negotiate, and manage a broad range of government and commercial agreements.

In this role you will:

• Serve as lead counsel for federal government and commercial contracting matters across the company, including legal strategy development.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and provide strategic counsel on a broad range of commercial and government agreements, including procurement contracts, prime government contracts, subcontracts, teaming agreements, NDAs, Cooperative Research & Development Agreements (CRADAs), memoranda of understanding, technology transfer agreements, Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements, Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) agreements, and other agreement types.
• Develop processes and playbooks for all common contract types, working with outside counsel and paralegal support to implement. Design and maintain scalable government contracting policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks.
• Advise internal stakeholders on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and agency-specific procurement requirements.
• Develop and maintain International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) & Export Administration Regulations (EAR) compliance policies, training, licensing, cybersecurity, and internal controls. Also, manage trade secret management, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) compliance, and related policies.
• Assist the Chief Regulatory & Legal Officer on driving forward Zeno’s patent efforts, including managing counsel, reviewing materials, and assisting in creating disclosure processes.
• Work across business lines, such as with Supply Chain, Engineering, Procurement, and Business Operations as part of your day-to-day work.
• Partner with business development and program teams to evaluate new federal opportunities and acquisition pathways.
• Support proposal development, contract negotiations, contract administration, and contract closeout activities.
• Help manage outside counsel as needed on specialized contracts, regulatory, and intellectual property matters.
• Additional responsibilities reasonably related to the position and business needs as assigned.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• 8+ years of relevant legal experience drafting and negotiating U.S. government contracts and commercial contracts, including application of FAR and/or DFARS.
• Strong understanding of government export control regimes, intellectual property and data rights frameworks, and programs for managing trade secrets and CUI.
• Demonstrated ability to advise business leaders on legal risk while maintaining commercial objectives.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including ability to translate legal risks for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success operating independently with limited supervision in a dynamic startup environment.
• Strong judgment, attention to detail, and practical problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting defense technology, aerospace, energy, nuclear, space, maritime, or other highly technical and/or regulated industries.
• Experience with Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DoE), National Aeronautic & Space Administration (NASA), National Nuclear Security Administration (NASA), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), or related federal agencies.
• Familiarity with Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements and non-traditional defense acquisition pathways.
• Experience advising emerging technology companies transitioning from R&D into commercial deployment.
• Experience supporting intellectual property strategy and technology commercialization, particularly trade secret management.
• Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.
• Experience implementing related contracting playbooks or processes within a corporate setting; and government contracts within a corporate setting.
• Exposure to nuclear regulation at state or federal levels.
• Science or engineering background or experience.

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, <10%
• 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 base salary for this position is $210,000-265,000.

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).