Radiation Protection Manager

Zeno Power; California (MO); On-site; USD 155,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Flexible paid time off

401k plan with employer match

16 weeks of paid family leave

11 observed company holidays

Employer HSA contributions

Life insurance

Transit benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Employee recognition program

Company-sponsored ClassPass benefit

Job summary

Zeno Power in Sunol, California seeks a Radiation Protection Manager to lead the site’s radiation protection program for our radiological facility. You will develop, implement, and oversee NRC/Agreement State compliant protocols and mentor technicians in ALARA principles.

This role requires daily in‑office presence, experience as RSO or in similar leadership, and strong communication skills to coordinate safety training, audits, and regulatory inspections.

Qualifications

• M.S. in Health Physics or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years in radiation protection with supervisory or lead experience.
• Experience managing radiation protection programs, ALARA planning, and dosimetry/instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks governing radiation protection.
• Proven ability to lead and develop technical staff.
• Capable of performing under pressure in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with a multidisciplinary approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the facility’s Radiation Protection Program per NRC/Agreement State requirements.
• Lead and supervise Radiation Protection Technicians, including staffing and training.
• Own ALARA program with dose metrics monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Serve as Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) or designee; liaise with regulators.
• Oversee radiological instrumentation, calibration, and dosimetry programs.
• Review radiological work permits, surveys, and work packages.
• Integrate radiation protection into work planning and scheduling.
• Lead investigations of radiological events and corrective actions.
• Develop radiation worker training and respiratory protection programs.
• Participate in self‑assessments, audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Interface with landlord radiation protection and work control organizations.

Skills

Radiation protection program mgmt

ALARA planning

Dosimetry/instrumentation

Regulatory frameworks understanding

Staff development

Written and verbal communication

Leadership of technical staff

Education

M.S. in Health Physics / Radiation Protection / Nuclear Engineering

Tools

NRRPT certification

CHP certification

RSO experience

Hot cell operations experience

Job description

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 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 a proud Equal Opportunity Employer committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated workforce. 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.

Radiation Protection Manager

Zeno is seeking a highly motivated Radiation Protection Manager to support the mission‑oriented efforts of fabricating and bringing to market Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) technologies. Reporting directly to Zeno’s site management, the Radiation Protection Manager will be responsible for Zeno’s Radiation Protection program at our Radiological Facility in Sunol, California.

In this role you will:

• Develop, implement, and maintain the facility’s Radiation Protection Program, procedures, and controls in compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)/Agreement State and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Lead and supervise Radiation Protection Technicians, including staffing, training, qualification, and performance management.
• Own the facility’s As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) program by establishing performance goals, monitoring and trending radiological dose metrics, and driving continuous improvement in dose reduction and contamination control.
• Serve as the facility’s Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) or designee, as applicable, and serve as the primary point of contact for radiation protection matters with regulators.
• Oversee radiological instrumentation, calibration, and dosimetry programs.
• Review and approve radiological work permits, surveys, and work packages, including for hot cell operations and subcontracted work.
• Partner with the Work Control Specialist and facility leadership to integrate radiation protection into work planning and scheduling.
• Lead investigations of radiological events, unplanned exposures, and contamination incidents, and manage corrective actions.
• Develop and deliver radiation worker training and respiratory protection programs.
• Participate in and lead self‑assessments, audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Interface with the landlord’s radiation protection and work control organizations to ensure integrated operations.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• M.S. in Health Physics, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in radiation protection or health physics, including supervisory or lead experience, preferably in a DOE or NRC/Agreement State regulated environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing radiation protection programs, ALARA planning, and dosimetry/instrumentation programs.
• Strong understanding of radiation protection principles and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead and develop technical staff.
• Perform effectively under pressure while consistently meeting deadlines in a dynamic, rapidly evolving environment.
• Capable of managing and supporting numerous simultaneous tasks that require a multi‑disciplinary approach.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRPT) certification, Certified Health Physicist (CHP), or equivalent.
• Experience serving as a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).
• Experience with hot cell operations and RPS/RTG or radioisotope processing facilities.

Job Functions

• Position requires daily in‑office presence at the Radiological Facility in Sunol, California.
• Travel: Not expected to be more than <10%.
• Motor Abilities: Sitting and/or standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands).
• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal to moderate, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds.
• Repetitive work: Prolonged.
• Special senses: Visual and audio focused work.
• Work conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard office and field working environment of >8 hrs./day, including radiologically controlled areas.
• Must be able to work in radiologically controlled areas and comply with facility and safety requirements.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary band for this position is $155,000 - $190,000. 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
• 11 observed company holidays
• Employer HSA contributions
• Life insurance
• Transit benefits to put toward commuting expenses
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Professional development
• Employee recognition program
• Company‑sponsored ClassPass benefit to support employee wellness

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).