Chief Engineer - Space

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  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.

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

• 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…