ZETTAJOULE, INC. VP, Licensing Rockville, MD · Full time Company website

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We are a next-generation nuclear technology startup pioneering the commercialization of High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) — a proven, safe, and transformative technology for delivering ultra-high-temperature heat and enabling a carbon-neutral future. Our mission is to deploy the world’s first global fleet of Advanced Modular Reactors, redefining how clean energy powers industries, communities, and economies. As a fast-growing company in its early stage, every team member — whether in engineering, program management, partnerships, operations, or business development — plays a direct role in shaping our technology, culture, and impact. You’ll join a collaborative, mission-driven team of internationally recognized experts and innovators working together to bring advanced nuclear energy to the world.

VP, Licensing

Location: Rockville, MD 

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Executive Vice President, Regulatory Affairs & General Counsel / VP Business Development (Matrixed)

About Us

We are a next-generation nuclear technology startup pioneering the commercialization of High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) — a proven, safe, and transformative technology for delivering ultra-high-temperature heat and enabling a carbon-neutral future.

Our mission is to deploy the world’s first global fleet of Advanced Modular Reactors, redefining how clean energy powers industries, communities, and economies.

As a fast-growing company in its early stage, every team member — whether in engineering, program management, partnerships, operations, or business development — plays a direct role in shaping our technology, culture, and impact. You’ll join a collaborative, mission-driven team of internationally recognized experts and innovators working together to bring advanced nuclear energy to the world.

The Role

The VP of Licensing is a critical executive role responsible for leading the regulatory strategy for our Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) technology. Operating as a strategic partner to the Business Development (BD) organization, you will ensure that our licensing pathways seamlessly align with commercial deployment goals and customer requirements in key industrial sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and submittal of license applications and safety analysis reports to the NRC and other regulatory bodies in alignment with project schedules and business objectives.
• Partner with Business Development to evaluate and mitigate regulatory risks for specific commercial sites, industrial applications, and customer-led deployments.
• Translate complex regulatory requirements into value propositions for potential commercial partners and investors.
• Manage regulatory correspondence with the NRC and other regulatory bodies ensuring timely and accurate responses to agencies.
• Monitor regulatory developments including NRC rulemaking and as applicable to international projects, international regulatory policy changes
• Champion "licensing-by-design" strategies, integrating regulatory requirements directly into early engineering phases to accelerate the commercialization of HTGR technology.
• Represent the company in technical and regulatory discussions with the potential customers, US Federal and State governments,  industry advocacy groups, to name a few.
• Ensure compliance with applicable nuclear regulations and identify opportunities for cost beneficial reductions of excessive commitments

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering or related technical field; Advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of leadership experience in nuclear licensing or regulatory affairs, ideally with exposure to novel or first-of-a-kind (FOAK) advanced reactor frameworks.
• Proven track record of managing high-level relationships with the NRC.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to translate complex regulatory timelines and milestones into actionable business development targets and investor value.

Citizenship

• US Citizenship required

Even Better

• Experience with "first-of-a-kind" (FOAK) technology companies and deployments.
• Deep technical knowledge of High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) safety profiles.

Why Work for Us

• Competitive salary.
• Flexible hours & remote options.
• Health/Life/Disability benefits.
• Vacation/Sick leave.
• Work alongside internationally recognized experts shaping the future of nuclear energy.

EEO Statement

ZettaJoule is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.