Capture Manager - Space

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.

Capture Manager – Space

Zeno is seeking a highly motivated  Capture Manager - Space  to support the mission-oriented efforts of developing and bringing to market Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) technologies. In this position, you will directly support and report to the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Space Business Development to support our engagement with customers of all types, development of business development products and proposals, conduct assessments, and help to close sales to meet overall space business development objectives.

In this role you will:

• Lead customer engagement across the full business development lifecycle — from early relationship development through proposal submission and contract award.
• Serve as a frontline sales representative to various customers including the U.S. government (NASA, Pentagon, etc.).
• Support the creation and implementation of business development processes and tools including capture management and sales/marketing; this includes elements of the standard kit of items from product catalogs, spec sheets, user's guides, etc. 
• Selectively manage overall proposal development process from identification to submission until Authority to Proceed (ATP) on awarded contracts.
• Conduct and manage selected internal studies and assessments including ongoing overall space market and competitive assessments. 
• Partner with engineering and product development teams to translate technical updates into customer-relevant messaging, proposals, and capability briefings.
• Update customer relationship management (CRM) databases.
• Update internal space business development Confluence pages, tracking tickets in Jira, and SharePoint folders and documents.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical discipline; open to those with degrees in business, advanced degree a plus.
• 5+ years relevant experience in aerospace or adjacent deep-tech environments.
• Prior business development and/or sales experience to commercial and government customers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Specific demonstrated experience engaging with government customers or programs (e.g. NASA/DoD/U.S. Space Force/NRO/AFRL).
• Understanding of and experience in U.S. government proposals including management, development, and content authoring.
• Ability to travel for customer meetings and relevant conferences.
• Experience in presenting to external audiences.
• High emotional intelligence (emotional intelligence (EQ), discretion, and stakeholder management across senior leaders and technical teams.
• Mission-aligned with Zeno's government-facing, hardware/deep-tech realities; energized by remote power applications and national programs (not purely climate-first motivations).

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working with multiple U.S. Government customers
• Experience in different U.S. Government proposal types (BAA, SBIR Phase I/II, TACFI, STRATFI, etc.)
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills
• Experience with rapid development projects
• Proven ability to deliver on-time, on-budget
• Experience with the Atlassian suite of tools, including Confluence and Jira.
• Experience with the Atlassian suite of tools, including Confluence and Jira.
• Concept-to-launch experience on spacecraft missions
• Active or ability to obtain U.S. Top Secret security clearance

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, 10-15%
• 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 $135,000-180,000 . The final job level and compensation will be determined by various factors such as a candidate's relevant work experience, years of relevant experience, skills, qualifications, certifications, and other business considerations. This role is also eligible for performance-based commission tied to closed contracts and pipeline milestones, reflecting the direct revenue impact of the position.

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).