Policy & Government Affairs Specialist

Company Overview

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. To 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.

Policy & Government Affairs Specialist, Defense

Zeno is seeking a highly motivated Policy & Government Affairs Specialist, Defense to support Zeno’s Policy & Government Affairs team in advancing the development and commercialization of radioisotope power systems for U.S. national security missions. This position will focus on Zeno’s defense portfolio, including maritime, undersea, space, and austere-environment applications for the Pentagon, the military services, Congress, and related federal agencies.

The Policy & Government Affairs Specialist will support the execution of Zeno’s defense-focused government affairs strategy by tracking congressional and Pentagon developments, preparing stakeholder-facing materials, supporting federal engagement, and helping identify policy, programmatic, and funding pathways for radioisotope power systems. This role is ideal for someone who understands the defense policy ecosystem, is comfortable working across Congress and the Pentagon, and can translate technical information into material for policymakers, military stakeholders, and internal teams.

In this role you will:

• Lead Zeno’s defense-focused policy and government affairs priorities with Congress.
• Support engagement with Pentagon stakeholders and relevant federal agencies.
• Track and analyze defense authorization and defense appropriations activity, including budget requests, committee reports, hearings, markups, amendments, and enacted legislation.
• Draft and edit materials for internal and external audiences, including one-pagers, memos, talking points, meeting briefs, legislative language, report language, and presentations.
• Monitor and maintain internal tracking for Pentagon programs, policy developments, funding opportunities, and acquisition pathways relevant to radioisotope power systems, nuclear supply chains, and the nuclear industrial base.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, international affairs, national security, public policy, energy policy, or a related field.
• 2+ years of relevant experience in the military, Congress, the Pentagon, defense policy, government affairs, federal consulting, or defense innovation. Years of experience may be adjusted for candidates with advanced degrees or experience.
• Familiarity with Congress, including the federal appropriations cycle and the National Defense Authorization Act.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing concise materials for policymakers, Pentagon officials, military stakeholders, and senior leaders.
• Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment with shifting deadlines and evolving policy dynamics.
• Must be a self-starter who can exercise discretion and good judgment with external stakeholders..

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working with military customers, Pentagon programs, operational energy needs, defense acquisition, or emerging defense technology.
• Experience supporting defense appropriations, the National Defense Authorization Act, Navy programs, Space Force programs, operational energy, advanced power systems, defense innovation, nuclear energy, or emerging technology policy.
• Familiarity with Pentagon innovation and transition pathways, including programs or offices focused on operational energy, rapid capability development, prototyping, or fielding emerging technologies.

Job Functions

• Position requires in-office presence in Washington, D.C. (Mt. Vernon/Chinatown) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, remote work is optional on Mondays and Fridays
• Travel: Travel is required, less than 10%
• Motor Abilities: Sitting and/or standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)
• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 15 pounds
• Repetitive work: Prolonged
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary band for this position is $95,000 - $125,000. The final job level and compensation will be determined by various factors such as a candidate's relevant work experience, years of relevant experience, skills, qualifications, certifications, and other business considerations.

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
• ⁠11 observed company holidays
• Employer HSA contributions
• Life insurance
• Transit benefits to put toward commuting expenses
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Professional development 
• Employee recognition program
• ⁠Company-sponsored ClassPass benefit to support employee wellness
• On-site and off-site company events, lunch & learns, Zeno Empower, volunteer opportunities, monthly wellness challenges, company retreat, bracketology, holiday competitions, holiday parties, etc. 
• ⁠Dog friendly office 

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Export Control

Applicants for employment at Zeno Power must be a U.S. person. The term “U.S. Person” means (i) a U.S citizen or U.S. national; or (ii) any natural person who is a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e., holds a Green Card), as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or as a “protected individual” defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., admitted as a refugee or is granted asylum).