Company Overview

Zeno Power's (Zeno) mission is to provide clean, plug-and-play power anywhere in the universe. To do that, Zeno is developing a next-generation radioisotope power system (RPS) that generates carbon-free, resilient power for decades, utilizing material found in nuclear waste. Zeno's technology is both light-weight and cost-effective compared to historic RPS, opening up broad market opportunities in space and terrestrially. To bring this breakthrough technology to market, 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.

Our systems enable new scientific and commercial applications in austere environments, including outer space and the Moon.

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.

Launch Approval Specialist

We are seeking a Launch Approval Specialist to secure launch approvals, licenses, and other authorizations for spacecraft with nuclear power sources. Reporting to the Director of Space & Planetary Regulation, this position will play a central role in Zeno's regulatory program, shepherding the overall approval process by relevant regulators and authorizers. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical and policy background in space, nuclear, or other regulated industries, and a motivation to help jumpstart the commercial space nuclear industry.

In this role you will:

• Contribute to achieving the strategic goals of Zeno's regulatory program, including securing first-of-a-kind launch approval for spacecraft using nuclear power sources, including FAA Payload Review, NEPA review, spaceport authorizations, and range safety requirements
• Coordinate interactions with launch providers and external regulatory stakeholders including FAA, DOD, NASA, the Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Board, NRC, FCC, and other federal agencies
• Facilitate creation and documentation of draft and final Safety Analysis Reports for space launches involving radioisotope power sources, working with contractors and engineering teams
• Review launch safety testing process and documentation; defend testing basis to regulators and other third-party reviewers
• Draft, facilitate, and review technical regulatory analyses across mission lifecycle including: pre-launch, launch, orbital operations, planetary operations, and end-of-life

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Desire to have large impact on a quickly growing team
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-impact deliverables for novel regulatory processes

• 6 years of experience in securing safety-related licenses or authorizations for nuclear, space or other highly regulated industries

• B.S./B.A. in aerospace engineering, nuclear engineering, risk and reliability, space policy, or related fields
• Excellent research, communication, and technical writing skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. or PhD in nuclear, space, or similar technology fields
• Experience in safety analysis for launch vehicles and/or radioisotope power systems
• Familiarity with performance-based regulation, probabilistic risk analysis, space operations, transnational law, NEPA, and/or health physics

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 $100,000-140,000. 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
• Annual employee wellness reimbursement and office supply stipend
• Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
• Relocation assistance

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).