Chief of Staff

• Act as an extension of the CEO to drive clarity and execution on priorities; accelerate post-meeting follow-ups with substantive deliverables (e.g., tailored two-pagers, client-specific decks, briefings)
• Build and run the internal operating rhythm: design and refine weekly leadership meetings, quarterly strategy/OKR processes, and cross-functional accountability cadences; track outcomes and follow-ups without directly managing people.
• Lead special projects with high ownership from zero-to-one (e.g., analyze and validate new business lines; develop market sizing, customer mapping, feasibility, and go/no-go business cases for alternative isotope or adjacent opportunities).
• Support investor relations and capital readiness: contribute to board materials, orchestrate fundraise data room, coordinate diligence responses, and ensure timely, accurate information flow; prioritize investor outreach and inbound coordination for the CEO.
• Conduct targeted market/competitor assessments tied to near-term decisions (defense, space, government programs), producing concise, decision-ready briefs.
• Partner with internal communications team on executive communications, memos, and presentations that synthesize technical and commercial inputs for external stakeholders (DoD/NASA/Space Force/Navy, partners, investors) and internal audiences

This role enables reliable, clean energy solutions for critical missions in frontier environments like space, oceans, and austere terrestrial locations, supporting national security and commercial applications.

• 5–8+ years relevant experience in defense/space/hardware/robotics or adjacent deep-tech environments; growth-stage startup experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with government customers or programs (DoD/Space Force/NASA/Navy) and familiarity with government contracting processes; prior BD/strategy/ops interfacing with federal stakeholders is a plus.
• Strong operator with bias to action: able to independently scope ambiguous problems, drive research, synthesize insights, and produce exec-ready outputs quickly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; can translate complex technical and regulatory topics into clear, actionable materials.
• Process builder who has implemented OKRs/KPIs and cross-functional operating rhythms; comfortable driving accountability without direct people management.
• High EQ, discretion, and stakeholder management across senior leaders and technical teams.
• Mission-aligned with Zeno’s government-facing, hardware/deep-tech realities; energized by remote power applications and national programs (not purely climate-first motivations).
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus.

The anticipated salary band for this position is $150,000-180,000. 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

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.