Senior Manager, Licensing

The Nuclear Company•Washington, DC

8d•$179,000 - $203,000

About The Position

The Nuclear Company is a rapidly growing startup in the nuclear and energy sector, utilizing AI to develop the next generation of nuclear reactors through a scalable, design-once, build-many approach. The company emphasizes an AI-first mindset, expecting all employees to leverage AI and technology to enhance their work and contribute to the evolution of their proprietary Nuclear Operating System (NOS). They seek individuals who are purpose-driven, comfortable with ambiguity, and motivated by building innovative solutions. The team values intellectual curiosity, high agency, candid feedback, continuous learning, and exceptional standards, guided by core values of Transparency, Responsibility, Unity, Scrappiness, and Tenacity. Trust is central to their safety culture, promoting intellectual honesty, accountability, and open communication, with an expectation of urgency, humility, resilience, and commitment to the mission. About the role The Manager of Licensing is responsible for supporting the planning, development, and execution of licensing and permitting activities for TNC's reactor projects. This role involves managing daily licensing workflows, coordinating input from various teams for regulatory submissions, and acting as a liaison between licensing staff, project teams, and regulatory bodies. The position requires a strong understanding of nuclear regulatory processes, technical writing, and project coordination, with developing expertise in nuclear safety, environmental compliance, construction permitting, and regulatory engagement.

Requirements

BS in Engineering or Science (e.g., Mechanical, Nuclear, Electrical, Physics, Environmental).
8+ years of relevant engineering, project management, and/or licensing/regulatory affairs experience.
Experience contributing to licensing/regulatory affairs efforts that resulted in regulatory outcomes (e.g., safety evaluations, design approvals, license issuance). Does not require having led these efforts end-to-end, but must demonstrate meaningful ownership of deliverables within them.
Experience participating in NRC, DOE, and/or state-level regulator interactions (written and/or verbal), either as a lead or in a supporting capacity.
Strong technical writing skills, with demonstrated experience drafting regulatory submissions, RAI responses, or technical/environmental documents for regulatory review.
Working knowledge of NRC regulations, requirements, guidance, and industry codes and standards.
Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary project inputs or managing contract staff contributions.
Experience working under a quality assurance program such as NQA-1, DOE Order 414.1D, ISO-9000, etc.

Nice To Haves

Experience with new reactor licensing (Part 52 or Part 50) or advanced reactor regulatory frameworks.
Familiarity with environmental review processes (NEPA, EIS, EA).
Experience with emergency planning, nuclear security, or safeguards regulatory requirements.
Prior supervisory experience, including performance management and staff development.
Experience with nuclear project finance or commercial nuclear construction/commissioning from a regulatory perspective.
PMP certification or equivalent project management credentials.

Responsibilities

Support the development and execution of regulatory strategy, engagement plans, and licensing application development under the direction of the Director of Licensing.
Leverage AI-powered tools to accelerate regulatory document review, NRC submission preparation, and compliance tracking, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy across licensing applications and correspondence.
Utilize digital platforms and data analytics to manage licensing schedules, track regulatory commitments, and monitor NRC docket activity in real time, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks during the licensing process.
Manage assigned portions of regulatory activities (certifications, permits, approvals, and licenses) and track progress against milestones, escalating risks and issues to the Director as needed.
Coordinate day-to-day activities across licensing disciplines to ensure application inputs are developed on schedule, are technically sound, and are consistent across submissions.
Review documentation developed by regulatory authorities (e.g., Safety Evaluation Reports, Environmental Impact Statements) for accuracy, adequacy, and consistency, and flag issues to the Director.
Draft regulatory responses, including responses to Requests for Additional Information (RAIs), and prepare them for submission in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
Participate in direct interactions with regulators, including supporting regulatory audits, review meetings, and engagement plan execution alongside the Director.
Monitor the regulatory environment for developments relevant to TNC projects and summarize implications for the licensing team and project stakeholders.
Supervise and develop licensing staff, including assigning work, reviewing deliverables, and providing technical coaching to junior team members.
Support development of regulatory budgets, schedules, and resource plans.
Actively support the safety culture and ensure integration of quality in licensing processes.