Senior Vice President - Fission Technology

About Zap Energy

Zap is advancing the next generation of nuclear power technology across fusion, fission and hybrid applications. Built on an integrated platform of high-energy-density physics and pulsed power, liquid metals and advanced materials, and compact, modular systems, Zap is building the foundational technologies needed to deploy the energy sources of the future.

Zap is advancing the next generation of nuclear power technology across fusion, fission and hybrid applications. Built on an integrated platform of high-energy-density physics and pulsed power, liquid metals and advanced materials, and compact, modular systems, Zap is building the foundational technologies needed to deploy the energy sources of the future.

We are seeking an exceptional nuclear technology executive to serve as Senior Vice President of Fission Technology. This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a world-class fission engineering organization, driving the development of next-generation reactor technology from licensing through commercialization and deployment. Reporting directly to the CEO, the SVP of Fission Technology will be a member of the executive leadership team and will have end-to-end responsibility for the technical vision, engineering execution, licensing strategy, and commercialization of Zap Energy’s fission program.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in advanced nuclear reactor design with a demonstrated track record of leading complex reactor development programs from concept through licensing, construction, commissioning, and commercial operation. This individual is an exceptional organizational leader with the vision and experience to recruit, develop, and inspire a world-class, multidisciplinary engineering organization. You possess the technical credibility and executive presence to represent Zap Energy with customers, government agencies, regulators, strategic partners, investors, and the broader nuclear community, serving as one of the company's foremost technical ambassadors.

• Define and own the fission technology roadmap, aligned with Zap Energy's commercial strategy and long-term fusion mission.
• Serve as a member of the executive leadership team; contribute to company-wide strategy, resource allocation, and organizational decisions.
• Represent Zap Energy in high-stakes external engagements — including with the NRC, DOE, potential utility customers, defense partners, and investors.
• Build and manage the fission technology P&L, including budget ownership, headcount planning, and milestone-based execution.

• Lead all phases of advanced reactor development: design, prototype development, NRC licensing, manufacturing readiness, and initial deployment.
• Establish and enforce rigorous systems engineering and nuclear quality assurance (NQA-1) practices across the fission program.
• Drive design-for-manufacturability principles early in the development cycle to ensure cost-competitive, licensable, and buildable reactor designs.
• Lead all technical interactions with the NRC, including pre-application engagement, licensing strategy development, and execution of the selected regulatory pathway, whether under Part 50, Part 52, Part 53, Part 57, or other applicable frameworks.
• Identify and manage supply chain and manufacturing partnerships; establish the industrial base required for scalable advanced reactor production.
• Ensure that all development activities meet applicable nuclear codes and standards (ASME, IEEE, ANS) and regulatory requirements.

• Recruit, develop, and retain a large multidisciplinary engineering organization spanning reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, reactor systems, fuel engineering, instrumentation & controls, structural mechanics, radiation protection, and licensing.
• Build a high-performance engineering culture characterized by technical rigor, psychological safety, accountability, and a bias toward bold execution.
• Establish clear career paths and technical leadership ladders within the fission organization; mentor and…