Chief of Staff

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.

Chief of Staff

Zeno Power is seeking a dynamic and strategic  Chief of Staff to work alongside the CEO and leadership team to drive operational excellence, support business development activities, and help scale the company through its next phase of growth. This is a high-impact role offering broad exposure across strategy, partnerships, and organizational operations.

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven operator who can seamlessly shift between tactical execution and strategic thinking, is deeply organized, and is energized by helping Zeno achieve its boldest goals.

In this role you will:

• Act as an extension of the CEO to drive clarity and execution on priorities; accelerate post-meeting follow-ups with substantive deliverables (e.g., tailored two-pagers, client-specific decks, briefings)
• Build and run the internal operating rhythm: design and refine weekly leadership meetings, quarterly strategy/OKR processes, and cross-functional accountability cadences; track outcomes and follow-ups without directly managing people.
• Lead special projects with high ownership from zero-to-one (e.g., analyze and validate new business lines; develop market sizing, customer mapping, feasibility, and go/no-go business cases for alternative isotope or adjacent opportunities).
• Support investor relations and capital readiness: contribute to board materials, orchestrate fundraise data room, coordinate diligence responses, and ensure timely, accurate information flow; prioritize investor outreach and inbound coordination for the CEO.
• Conduct targeted market/competitor assessments tied to near-term decisions (defense, space, government programs), producing concise, decision-ready briefs.
• Partner with internal communications team on executive communications, memos, and presentations that synthesize technical and commercial inputs for external stakeholders (DoD/NASA/Space Force/Navy, partners, investors) and internal audiences

Key Qualifications and Skills

• 5–8+ years relevant experience in defense/space/hardware/robotics or adjacent deep-tech environments; growth-stage startup experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with government customers or programs (DoD/Space Force/NASA/Navy) and familiarity with government contracting processes; prior BD/strategy/ops interfacing with federal stakeholders is a plus.
• Strong operator with bias to action: able to independently scope ambiguous problems, drive research, synthesize insights, and produce exec-ready outputs quickly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; can translate complex technical and regulatory topics into clear, actionable materials.
• Process builder who has implemented OKRs/KPIs and cross-functional operating rhythms; comfortable driving accountability without direct people management.
• High 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).
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree a plus.

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. Exceptional Seattle candidates will be considered with an expectation of at least one week per month in DC.
• Travel: Travel is required, 15-20%
• 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 $150,000-180,000 . 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.

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). (