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.

Test and Process Engineering Manager

Zeno is seeking a highly motivated Test and Process Engineering Manager to support the mission-oriented efforts of developing and bringing to market Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) technologies.

In this role you will:

• Build, lead, and mentor a multidisciplinary team that includes electrical, test, and chemistry process engineering.
• Establish team culture, workflows, and expectations for high-quality engineering execution.
• Develop staffing plans and lead onboarding, career development guidelines, and performance expectations for the team.
• Ensure clear scope boundaries, prioritization, and alignment with project needs.
• Provide technical oversight across electrical engineering, test engineering, and chemistry process engineering.
• Lead process development, implementation, and continuous improvement of new and existing discipline processes.
• Drive test strategies for hardware systems: functional tests, environmental tests, integration tests, and performance validation.
• Oversee the development of chemistry processes related to our hardware (e.g., isotope handling steps, material treatments, chemistry system workflows) and ensure they are documented, repeatable, and controlled.
• Partner with Mechanical Design, Analysis, and Systems Engineering to ensure hardware design requirements are testable and process compatible.
• Review and sign off on test plans, test reports, procedures, and process documentation.
• Ensure adherence to engineering procedures and standards for test execution and process development.
• Drive test readiness: equipment availability, staffing, safety reviews, and configuration control.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering to ensure verification & validation activities are planned and executed.
• Interface with safety, quality, and regulatory stakeholders.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, or similar with a strong focus on hardware and experiment
• 8+ years of engineering experience, including significant experience in hardware development, testing and process development.
• 3+ years of engineering management experience or technical leadership with supervisory responsibilities; experience leading multidisciplinary teams preferred..
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing test plans, procedures, and hardware validation.
• Familiarity with process development (hardware, chemical, or manufacturing).
• Strong understanding of engineering rigor, configuration control, and documentation quality.
• Experience in multidisciplinary environments and comfort leading teams with varied engineering specialties.
• Excellent communication, prioritization, and decision-making skills.

Job Functions

• Position requires in-office presence in Seattle (South Lake Union) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, remote work is optional on Mondays and Fridays.
• Travel: Travel is required, <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 $175,000-210,000. 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
• Employer HSA contributions
• Transit benefits to put toward commuting expenses
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Relocation assistance
• 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).