Jobs at Zap Energy

Owner-led mechanical engineering for liquid-metal-cooled fusion electrodes: conceive, model, prototype, build, and test water/liquid-metal flow loops and vacuum experiments. Manage projects end-to-end, ensure safety, collaborate cross-functionally, and communicate results through reviews.

Lead mechanical engineering for a liquid-metal cooled micro reactor program: select codes/standards, perform high-temperature and FEA analysis (ANSYS), design reactor vessels, actuation systems, manage supplier and cross-functional collaboration, produce rigorous engineering documentation, and operate within an NQA-1 quality program. May line-manage a product team and approve deliverables.

Lead translation of first-of-a-kind experimental designs into producible assemblies: plan labor and assembly flow, author work instructions and test protocols, define tooling and kits, manage non-conforming parts, provide configuration management and supervise technicians during builds, commissioning, maintenance, and overhaul of complex electromechanical hardware.

Lead Zap Energy's public narrative and communications strategy. Advise the CEO, manage a growing communications team, craft executive messaging, oversee brand and publishing, secure high-impact event presence, guide crisis communications, and define the 'integrated nuclear company' category across media, policy, and investor audiences.

Lead Zap Energy’s fission program end-to-end: set technical vision, oversee reactor design through NRC licensing and commercial deployment, own P&L and budgets, build and lead a 50+ multidisciplinary engineering organization, ensure NQA-1 and code compliance, manage supply chain and manufacturing readiness, and represent the company to regulators, customers, and partners.

Lead full-spectrum People Operations including talent acquisition, development, employee relations, compliance, HRIS/ATS administration, benefits and total rewards support, and engagement. Build competency and career frameworks, coach managers, investigate sensitive issues, run comp and payroll coordination, and partner with the SVP on executive people strategy at a fast-scaling technical company.

Lead design-for-manufacturing and producibility for a liquid-metal fission reactor (ZMR). Influence geometry, tolerances, materials, joining/process selection, tooling, and cost-reduction strategy. Apply DFM/DFA/DFX, GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, PFMEA, and should-cost analysis. Drive make/buy, scale-up, and producibility-at-volume planning while collaborating with design, manufacturing, testing, QA, and regulators.

Lead origination, structuring, negotiation, and execution of large, long-term commercial agreements (PPAs, capacity agreements, development partnerships) for Zap's integrated fission and fusion platform. Build strategic customer relationships with hyperscalers, utilities, industrials, and government entities; develop commercial strategy, market prioritization, and deal frameworks; partner cross-functionally with engineering, finance, legal, and executive leadership; and scale the commercial organization as the company grows.

Lead sourcing and procurement for nuclear plant/test stand hardware: develop sourcing and long-lead strategies, select vendors, maintain master data, procure capital equipment, execute contracts, and accelerate hardware delivery to shorten development cycles and drive rapid reactor development cadence.

Own day-to-day execution of experimental shots on plasma devices: ensure machine readiness, run shot sequences, first-line troubleshooting, and data quality. Coordinate across physics, diagnostics, and controls teams, maintain MDSplus records, operate PLC-based control/interlock systems, write post-shot data checks in Python/MATLAB, and enforce high-voltage safety and procedures.

Lead mechanical design of high-voltage pulsed power systems from concept through fabrication. Produce SolidWorks parts/assemblies/drawings, apply GD&T, select materials/fasteners, perform structural analyses, iterate with manufacturing, collaborate across disciplines, and mentor junior engineers.

Design, simulate, test, and troubleshoot high-voltage pulsed power systems (Marx, LTD, capacitor banks). Develop diagnostics, safety systems, and documentation; mentor engineers and support system integration and reliability improvements.

The Liquid Metals Engineer will design, test, and operate high-temperature fluid systems for a liquid metal-cooled fission reactor, ensuring efficient collaboration and quality assurance throughout the development lifecycle.

As a Senior Research Scientist, you will lead fusion research initiatives, design experiments, analyze data, and communicate findings to advance sustainable energy solutions.

Lead Zap Energy's go-to-market and stakeholder engagement to secure multi-gigawatt federal and commercial contracts. Develop global business strategy, own pipeline and senior relationships, structure and close complex agreements (CRAs, PPAs, JDAs), and integrate engineering, licensing, finance, and legal. Build and lead external-facing commercial teams and represent the company at industry, regulatory, and investor forums to drive reactor deployment.

The Research Scientist (Theory) will develop plasma models for Z-pinch operation, focusing on simulation, validation, and integration with experiments.

The Chief of Staff to the CEO will drive organizational alignment, support the CEO in strategic decisions, manage board relations, and coordinate cross-functional efforts for optimal execution.

Lead the Quality Assurance team at Zap Energy for the Micro Reactor program, establishing a QA program, ensuring compliance, and managing the QA team.