Chief Engineer - Space

Zeno Power•Seattle, WA

2d•$195,000 - $245,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Zeno Power is seeking a highly motivated Chief Engineer to support development and commercialization of Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) technologies. The role leads technical and engineering activities within an assigned space-system scope, spanning system design and development, deployment lifecycle, and eventual production. It also supports planning, scheduling, review, approval, and top-level management of technical work across the Space Portfolio, ensuring appropriate resources, accuracy, and quality. The Chief Engineer serves as Design Authority for the space scope and provides technical leadership for space projects. The position works with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers and customers, and oversees relevant subcontractor technical work. It ensures projects meet applicable environmental, safety, health, radiation and contamination, and quality-assurance requirements. The role is based in Seattle's South Lake Union area, with in-office presence on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and optional remote work on Mondays and Fridays. Travel is required at less than 10%.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
At least 10 years of engineering experience in complex technical product development, space systems, or related industrial environments.
Experience leading or supporting the design, integration, testing, commissioning, or operational deployment of space systems.
At least 3 years 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.
Experience working in 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 management, interface control, hazard analysis, reliability, maintainability, and verification and validation methodologies.
Experience with risk-informed technical decision-making, trade studies, root cause analysis, and failure investigation in high-consequence systems.
Must be a U.S. person as defined in the job description.
Ability to safely lift up to 15 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Degree in Mechanical, Nuclear, Systems, Electrical, Aerospace, or a related engineering discipline.
Familiarity with manufacturing scale-up, supplier qualification, production transition, and design-for-manufacture considerations.
Experience collaborating with government customers, classification societies, defense organizations, or regulatory agencies.
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to executive leadership, customers, regulators, operators, and cross-functional teams.
Strong project execution skills, including schedule management, technical planning, budgeting support, and coordination across engineering disciplines.
Proven success in fast-paced development environments focused on innovation, operational considerations, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

Act as Design Authority for the space scope area.
Provide technical leadership on Zeno space projects.
Define and interpret high-level engineering requirements to support product, program, and customer needs.
Support technical project meetings by providing real-time technical guidance, operational support, and informed decision-making.
Generate, review, and approve technical work products for design applicability, adequacy, and accuracy.
Co-chair the Change Control Board and review and approve space-related design changes requiring CCB signoff.
Review and approve space project requirements and verification activities for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with design specifications and project objectives.
Support planning, content development, execution, and closeout 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 approve subcontractor technical work for relevant scope areas.
Ensure space projects comply with applicable environmental, safety, health, radiation and contamination, and quality-assurance requirements.
Prepare technical briefings for customers and leadership, and technical papers for meetings and conferences.
Lead the design, development, and testing of systems; lifecycle support; technical goals and objectives; and requirements analysis for space projects.