Chief of Staff to the CEO

Zap is advancing the next generation of nuclear power technology across fusion, fission and hybrid applications. Built on an integrated platform of high-energy-density physics and pulsed power, liquid metals and advanced materials, and compact, modular systems, Zap is building the foundational technologies needed to deploy the energy sources of the future.

About The Opportunity

Zap is at a pivotal stage of growth. As Chief of Staff to the CEO, you will operate at the center of the company—driving alignment, execution, and clarity across leadership, technical teams, and external stakeholders.

This is a high-trust role focused on amplifying the CEO’s effectiveness and ensuring the organization is operating with focus, urgency, and accountability. You will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and an integrator across the Executive Leadership Team, connecting priorities to execution.

This role is distinct from externally focused strategy or business development positions. It is centered on internal execution, organizational alignment, and CEO leverage.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Execution & Accountability: Partner with the CEO to define company priorities and translate strategy into clear, executable plans. Establish and track OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), ensuring alignment across teams and accountability for outcomes.
• CEO Leverage & Decision Support, "CEO Proxy": Act as an extension of the CEO in key forums. Prepare decision frameworks, surface critical trade-offs, and ensure the CEO’s time is focused on the highest-impact issues.
• Board & Investor Relations: Lead preparation for Board meetings and investor communications, including development of clear, data-driven materials. Partner closely with Finance, Legal, and Strategy to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Drive coordination across Physics, Engineering, and Business teams. Ensure information flows effectively, decisions are made with the right inputs, and execution is not slowed by organizational friction.
• Special Projects: Lead high-priority, ambiguous initiatives that cut across functions—ranging from strategic partnerships to internal process improvements and operational scaling efforts.
• Executive Operating Rhythm: Design and run leadership team meetings and offsites. Establish a cadence that reinforces accountability, accelerates decision-making, and maintains focus on company priorities.

Operates with delegated authority from the CEO on defined priorities, including driving cross-functional decisions and holding teams accountable for execution. Acts as a force multiplier for the CEO across the organization.

What Success Looks Like

• CEO time is consistently focused on the highest-value priorities
• Leadership team operates with clarity, speed, and accountability
• Cross-functional initiatives execute on time with minimal friction
• Board and investor materials are clear, accurate, and decision-oriented

• Experience: 5–10 years in high-growth environments (e.g., top-tier consulting, high-growth startups, or complex scientific and engineering organizations). MBA or technical background (engineering/physics) preferred.
• Judgment & Strategic Thinking: Exercises strong judgment under pressure. Able to synthesize complex technical and business inputs, anticipate risks, and identify the highest-leverage actions.
• Execution & Ownership: Drives outcomes with discipline and follow-through. Operates with a high degree of autonomy while maintaining alignment with leadership priorities.
• Low Ego, High Impact: Comfortable operating behind the scenes to enable others. Measures success by the effectiveness of the CEO and the performance of the organization.
• Operational Rigor: Brings a systems mindset—builds processes that scale, improve clarity, and reduce recurring friction.
• Operating Environment Fit Thrives in a fast-paced, highly technical environment where priorities evolve quickly and decisions carry significant strategic and technical implications.

This is a rare opportunity to operate alongside the CEO at a defining stage of company development. You will have direct visibility into company strategy, leadership decision-making, and the path to commercialization of advanced nuclear technology. You will be mentored by a founding team that includes pioneers in Z-pinch fusion and veteran business leaders.

This role is designed for individuals seeking to operate at the highest levels of company leadership and decision-making.

Employment may be conditioned upon the ability to obtain export authorization.

Estimated salary range: $150,000-210,000 annually. Candidates may be considered for other positions at Zap Energy and actual salary will be based on relevant education, experience, and other qualifications. Range is published in accordance with Washington Equal Pay and Opportunity Act.

Zap Energy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.