Director of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (SMR / MMR Programs)

BaRupOn LLC • Irvine, CA

1d

About The Position

BaRupOn LLC is seeking a highly experienced Director of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs to lead all regulatory strategy, licensing execution, and compliance activities for its Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) programs in the United States.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for managing BaRupOn’s full regulatory relationship with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), ensuring all reactor designs, operational plans, and supporting documentation meet applicable federal requirements. The Director will serve as the company’s primary interface with the NRC and other federal agencies, and will play a critical role in enabling the safe, timely, and compliant deployment of BaRupOn’s next-generation nuclear solutions.
The ideal candidate brings deep, direct NRC engagement experience, a thorough command of U.S. nuclear regulatory frameworks, and the leadership ability to build and manage a high-performing regulatory team in a fast-moving, mission-driven environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Minimum 10–15 years of experience in nuclear licensing, regulatory affairs, or compliance within the U.S. nuclear industry.
• Proven, direct experience engaging with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on licensing reviews, submittals, and enforcement matters.
• Deep working knowledge of U.S. nuclear regulatory frameworks, including 10 CFR Part 50, Part 52, and the emerging Part 53 framework for advanced and non-light water reactors.
• Demonstrated experience preparing, submitting, and defending complex regulatory documents, licensing applications, and safety cases.
• Experience with Safety Analysis Reports (SAR/FSAR), probabilistic risk assessment (PRA), and technical specification development.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and executive communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the U.S. – preferred.
• NRC Reactor Operator or Senior Reactor Operator License – advantageous.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification – preferred.
• Active membership in recognized nuclear professional organizations, such as the American Nuclear Society (ANS) or Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI).
• Experience with NEPA environmental review processes, modular construction licensing, and digital engineering tools.
• Familiarity with SMR, advanced reactor, or Generation IV technology licensing approaches.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to present complex regulatory matters to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead all NRC licensing activities, including design certification, combined license applications (COLs), and license amendments for BaRupOn’s SMR and MMR programs.
• Develop, review, and submit Safety Analysis Reports (SAR/FSAR), environmental reports, and all other required regulatory documentation to the NRC.
• Manage pre-application engagement and formal licensing interactions with NRC staff, including review meetings, requests for additional information (RAIs), and public hearings.
• Ensure timely and accurate responses to NRC inquiries, inspection findings, and enforcement actions.
• Ensure full compliance with all applicable U.S. nuclear regulatory frameworks, including 10 CFR Part 50, Part 52, and the emerging Part 53 framework for advanced reactors.
• Monitor regulatory developments, proposed rulemaking, and NRC policy changes; assess impacts on BaRupOn programs and provide timely guidance to executive leadership.
• Maintain and update the company’s regulatory compliance matrix, tracking all license conditions, technical specifications, and reporting obligations.
• Support internal audits, self-assessments, and corrective action programs to ensure sustained regulatory readiness.
• Partner closely with the CTO, CNO, and engineering teams to ensure regulatory requirements are embedded into reactor designs, safety analyses, and operational procedures from the outset.
• Collaborate with project management and operations teams to align licensing milestones with overall program schedules and deployment timelines.
• Provide regulatory guidance to BaRupOn’s executive team, board, and investors on the status and risk profile of all licensing activities.
• Represent BaRupOn in industry working groups, federal regulatory forums, national laboratory collaborations, and technical conferences.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with NRC leadership, Department of Energy (DOE) officials, and other federal and state agency stakeholders.
• Engage with peer companies, trade associations (e.g., Nuclear Energy Institute), and the broader advanced reactor community to shape emerging regulatory frameworks favorable to SMR/MMR deployment.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing regulatory and licensing team as BaRupOn’s programs scale.
• Establish team processes, workflows, and document management systems to support efficient, high-quality regulatory submissions.
• Develop and manage external regulatory consultants, legal counsel, and technical support contractors as needed.

Benefits

• Play a defining role in the U.S. deployment of SMR and MMR technologies — one of the most consequential clean energy initiatives in the country.
• Serve as the company’s regulatory authority with direct access to the CNO, CTO, and executive leadership team.
• Competitive compensation and benefits, including potential equity participation tied to program milestones.
• Work at the intersection of nuclear innovation, federal policy, and clean energy — with a team that takes both safety and ambition seriously.
• A mission-driven company where regulatory excellence is treated as a strategic advantage, not a compliance checkbox.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees