Senior Commercial Architect - Advanced Nuclear Energy

Zap Energy Inc.; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Zap Energy Inc. seeks a Director of Commercial Development to build strategic customer relationships and shape the company's long-term growth in the advanced nuclear sector.

This role will originate, structure, negotiate, and execute complex commercial agreements, including PPAs and long-term energy contracts, while developing a robust commercial pipeline across hyperscalers, utilities, and government customers.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in energy commercial development, project finance, or strategic business development.
• Direct experience negotiating and closing PPAs, offtake agreements, or long-term energy supply contracts — ideally at the $100M+ lifetime value level or greater.
• Deep knowledge of power markets, energy procurement structures, and the commercial frameworks used by hyperscalers, utilities, and industrials.
• Experience engaging C-suite and senior procurement decision-makers at large enterprises, with the credibility and relationship-building skill to operate at that level.
• Strong financial acumen: ability to model contract economics, understand project IRR sensitivities, and articulate deal value to both internal stakeholders and sophisticated buyers.
• Ability to work effectively in an early-stage, fast-moving technology company environment — comfortable with ambiguity and capable of building commercial infrastructure from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Lead the origination, structuring, negotiation, and execution of complex commercial agreements—including PPAs, capacity reservations, development agreements, strategic partnerships, and other long-term commercial arrangements.
• Build, manage, and advance a robust pipeline of strategic commercial opportunities supporting the deployment of Zap Energy's integrated fission and fusion product portfolio.
• Develop innovative commercial structures that align customer needs with Zap's technology roadmap, enabling phased deployment strategies, long-term energy partnerships, and future technology transitions as the company's product offerings evolve.
• Partner closely with engineering, project development, finance, legal, and executive leadership to develop commercially attractive, technically viable, and executable agreements that support successful project development and long-term customer relationships.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations from initial customer engagement through contract execution, balancing customer objectives with Zap's strategic, technical, financial, and operational priorities.

Skills

Executive relationship building

PPA negotiation

Financial modeling

Deal structuring

Strategic thinking

Education

MBA, JD, or related graduate degree

Job description

Zap Energy Inc. seeks a Director of Commercial Development to build strategic customer relationships and shape the company's long-term growth in the advanced nuclear sector.

This role will originate, structure, negotiate, and execute complex commercial agreements, including PPAs and long-term energy contracts, while developing a robust commercial pipeline across hyperscalers, utilities, and government customers.