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.

About the Opportunity

The Director of Business Development will own and achieve our commercial revenue targets by identifying, qualifying, and securing long-term commitments for reactor deployment. You will be the primary architect of our go-to-market strategy, translating complex technical capabilities into compelling value propositions for sophisticated energy buyers. This is a high-impact leadership role requiring a blend of technical fluency, commercial instincts, and the ability to close deals in multi-year, multi-billion-dollar sales cycles.

Key Responsibilities

• Achieve Business Development Targets: Own and achieve the company targets for multi-gigawatt contracted capacity through signed, binding, long-term agreements.

• Strategic Market Development: Define and execute the North American and global business development activities to close deals for SMR technologies. Identify and pursue emerging market opportunities, such as "behind-the-meter" solutions for data centers and industrial hubs.

• Relationship & Pipeline Ownership: Build and maintain senior-level (VP/C-suite) relationships within nuclear utilities, IPPs, and large energy consumers. Manage the full sales pipeline from initial engagement through to contract award.

• Commercial Structuring & Closing: Lead the origination, negotiation, and closing of complex commercial agreements, including Capacity Reservation Agreements (CRAs), Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), and Joint Development Agreements (JDAs) with pre-commercial structures and milestone-based payment schedules.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as the primary integrator between engineering, licensing, finance, and legal teams to ensure all commercial offerings are technically viable, regulatory-compliant, and bankable.

• Market Representation: Represent the company at major industry forums, regulatory meetings, and global energy conferences to accelerate the revenue pipeline on SMR deployment.

• External Perspective: Provide strategic direction to proposal and marketing teams to develop high-quality collateral, technical bids, and competitive pursuit strategies.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field; an MBA or advanced degree is strongly preferred.

• Industry Experience: 10–15+ years of progressive experience in business development or strategic commercial roles within the nuclear or power generation sectors.

• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of SMR and advanced reactor technologies (e.g., PWR, BWR, Gen IV), fuel cycles, and modular construction methods.

• Regulatory Fluency: Familiarity with NRC licensing pathways (10 CFR Part 50, 52, and the emerging Part 53 framework) and their impact on project timelines and commercial risk.

• Commercial Track Record: Proven success in closing large-scale, high-value contracts with long sales cycles in regulated or deregulated energy markets.

• Communication Skills: Exceptional ability to distill complex technical and regulatory topics into clear recommendations for executive stakeholders and investors.

Employment may be conditioned upon the ability to obtain export authorization. Estimated base salary range: $200,000-275,000 annually with additional compensation components for performance. Candidates may be considered for other positions at Zap Energy and actual salary will be based on relevant education, experience, and other qualifications. Range is published in accordance with Washington Equal Pay and Opportunity Act.

Zap Energy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.