Chief Engineer - 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.

Chief Engineer - Space

Zeno is seeking a highly motivated Chief Engineer - Space to support the mission-oriented efforts of developing and bringing to market Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) technologies. As Chief Engineer - Space, you will be responsible for leadership of technical and engineering aspects within your assigned scope of space system design and development, deployment lifecycle, and eventual production. This role supports the planning, scheduling, review, approval and top level management of technical tasks within our Space Portfolio to ensure accuracy, proper resources, and quality from start to finish

In this role you will:

• Act as Design Authority for space scope area
• Provide technical leadership on Zeno space projects
• Define and interpret high level engineering requirements to support Product, Program, and/or Customer needs
• Support technical project meetings for space initiatives by providing real-time technical guidance, operational support, and informed decision-making
• Generate, review, and/or approve technical work products for design applicability, adequacy, and accuracy
• Co-chair the Change Control Board (CCB), review and approve all space related design changes requiring CCB signoff
• Review and approve space project requirements and verification activities to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with design specifications and project objectives
• Support planning, content development, execution, and close out of space project design reviews
• Develop, manage, and continuously improve Design Authority owned Quality Procedures and Work Instructions under an AS9100 Quality Program
• Interface with suppliers, customers, and other external and internal stakeholders
• Oversee, review, and/or approve sub-contractor technical work for relevant scope areas
• Ensure Zeno space projects comply with applicable environmental, safety, health, radiation and contamination, and quality assurance requirements through ongoing assessment and implementation of relevant regulations, policies, and procedures
• Prepare technical briefings for customers and leadership team, as well as technical papers for meetings and conferences
• Be responsible for the design, development, and test of systems, life cycle support, technical goals and objectives, and requirement analysis of space projects

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required, preferably in Mechanical, Nuclear, Systems, Electrical, Aerospace, or a related engineering discipline
• 10+ years of engineering experience in complex technical product development, space systems, or related industrial environments
• Experience leading or supporting design, integration, testing, commissioning, or operational deployment of space systems
• 3+ years serving in a technical leadership, technical authority, chief engineer, engineering management, or key technical decision-maker role
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams through complex development programs, including requirements definition, design reviews, risk management, verification, validation, and operational readiness activities
• Proven experience operating within regulated and quality-controlled environments
• Experience developing, implementing, and continuously improving engineering processes, configuration management systems, product lifecycle processes, and technical governance frameworks
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, including requirements management, interface control, hazard analysis, reliability, maintainability, and verification/validation methodologies
• Experience with risk-informed technical decision making, trade studies, root cause analysis, and failure investigation in high-consequence systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with manufacturing scale-up, supplier qualification, production transition, and design-for-manufacture considerations preferred
• Experience collaborating with government customers, classification societies, defense organizations, or regulatory agencies preferred
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to executive leadership, customers, regulators, operators, and cross-functional teams
• Strong project execution skills, including schedule management, technical planning, budgeting support, and coordination across engineering disciplines.
• Proven success operating in fast-paced development environments with a strong focus on innovation, operational considerations, safety, and regulatory compliance

Job Functions

• Position requires in-office presence in Seattle (South Lake Union) 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 anticipated salary band for this position is $195,000 - $245,000. 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
• Employer HSA contributions
• Transit benefits to put toward commuting expenses
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Relocation assistance
• 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).