Government Relations & Partnerships Lead (SMR / MMR Programs)

BaRupOn LLC • Irvine, CA

1d

About The Position

BaRupOn LLC is seeking an experienced and strategically minded Government Relations & Partnerships Lead to own the company’s engagement with federal, state, and local stakeholders across its Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) programs in the United States.
This is a senior executive role that sits at the intersection of policy, regulation, and commercial strategy. The Government Relations Lead will serve as BaRupOn’s primary external voice with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Energy (DOE), Congress, state agencies, and industry coalitions — building the relationships and policy positioning that enable BaRupOn’s programs to advance through the U.S. regulatory and political landscape. The role also encompasses strategic partnership development with utilities, research institutions, national laboratories, and industry organizations whose support is essential to long-term program success.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned government affairs professional with deep roots in U.S. nuclear or clean energy policy, a track record of productive engagement with federal regulatory and funding agencies, and the executive credibility to represent BaRupOn at the highest levels of government, industry, and public discourse. This role reports directly to the CEO and carries significant influence over BaRupOn’s regulatory positioning, public narrative, and strategic alliance portfolio.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Nuclear Engineering, Law, Business, or a closely related field.
• 8–15 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, or regulatory affairs within the U.S. energy or nuclear sector.
• Direct, hands-on experience engaging with the NRC, DOE, or other federal and state energy agencies at a professional level.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. nuclear energy policy, federal regulatory frameworks, the Congressional appropriations process, and the legislative environment surrounding advanced nuclear deployment.
• Proven track record building and managing strategic partnerships and influencing policy outcomes in a highly regulated, politically complex environment.
• Executive-level communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, including experience representing organizations before government bodies, media, and industry forums.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in public policy, law, nuclear engineering, or a related energy field – preferred.
• Direct experience with SMR, advanced reactor, or nuclear new-build government affairs and public engagement.
• Active membership in relevant professional associations, including the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), American Nuclear Society (ANS), or equivalent.
• Deep familiarity with DOE funding mechanisms, federal grant programs, and nuclear-specific public-private partnership structures.
• Experience with NEPA environmental review public processes, community engagement, and environmental justice considerations in energy project siting.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent – preferred.
• Existing relationships with NRC and DOE leadership, Congressional energy staff, or state energy officials — a meaningful advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop, own, and execute BaRupOn’s comprehensive government relations strategy at the federal, state, and local levels, aligned with program development timelines and licensing milestones.
• Serve as BaRupOn’s primary liaison with key federal agencies including the NRC, DOE, Office of Nuclear Energy, OMB, and relevant Congressional committees and staffers.
• Track, analyze, and proactively respond to legislation, regulatory rulemaking, and policy initiatives affecting U.S. nuclear energy, SMR/MMR deployment, and advanced reactor licensing.
• Advise the CEO and executive leadership on the political, regulatory, and policy landscape as it relates to BaRupOn’s strategic objectives and program risk profile.
• Develop and manage state-level government relations strategies for each project site, including engagement with governors’ offices, state energy agencies, public utility commissions, and legislative stakeholders.
• Identify, develop, and manage strategic partnerships with utilities, electricity offtakers, research institutions, national laboratories, and industry consortia that strengthen BaRupOn’s competitive and regulatory position.
• Represent BaRupOn in industry organizations, technical advisory groups, and trade associations including the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), American Nuclear Society (ANS), and relevant DOE advisory bodies.
• Build and maintain productive long-term relationships with DOE program offices, national laboratory leadership, and federal interagency partners to position BaRupOn favorably for funding, collaboration, and regulatory support.
• Support the Head of Finance in pursuing federal funding opportunities, including DOE cost-share programs, loan guarantees, and public-private partnership structures that require government relations coordination.
• Coordinate closely with the Director of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs to support NRC pre-application engagement, public meetings, and hearing processes from a government relations and communications perspective.
• Manage BaRupOn’s engagement with NRC Office of New Reactors and other NRC offices on policy, outreach, and stakeholder matters outside the formal technical licensing track.
• Support licensing and permitting processes by coordinating with state and local agencies on environmental reviews, site permits, and community stakeholder engagement plans.
• Monitor NRC and DOE policy initiatives — including advanced reactor licensing reform, Part 53 rulemaking, and nuclear workforce and infrastructure programs — and assess their implications for BaRupOn’s strategy.
• Develop and execute stakeholder communications and engagement plans for federal, state, local, and community audiences, ensuring BaRupOn’s public narrative is consistent, credible, and strategically positioned.
• Prepare executive briefing materials, testimony, policy submissions, and public comment responses on behalf of BaRupOn for regulatory and legislative proceedings.
• Represent BaRupOn at industry conferences, policy forums, congressional briefings, and public engagement events, serving as a credible and persuasive voice for advanced nuclear energy.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to ensure external messaging on regulatory, policy, and partnership matters is aligned and on-brand.

Benefits

• Shape the government relations and partnership strategy for one of the most ambitious advanced nuclear programs in the U.S. — with direct access to the CEO and real authority over how BaRupOn positions itself in Washington and across the states.
• Work at the intersection of nuclear policy, clean energy strategy, and commercial program development in a role that has genuine influence over how U.S. SMR deployment unfolds.
• Competitive compensation and benefits, including potential equity participation tied to program and company milestones.
• Collaborate with top-tier technical, regulatory, finance, and executive leadership in a company that moves with purpose and takes its relationships with government seriously.
• A rare opportunity to help write the policy and partnership story of next-generation U.S. nuclear energy — from the inside.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees