Director, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (Fusion Energy)

Location: On-site at the headquarters in Denver, Colorado, United States. Travel to agencies, sites, and prospective facility locations is required as needed.

Company

hirify.global develops inertial fusion energy technology and fusion power plants using advanced laser architecture to support global decarbonization.

What you will do

• Develop and execute licensing and permitting strategies for current and future fusion facilities.
• Lead relationships with the NRC, Agreement State radiation control offices, environmental agencies, and local permitting authorities.
• Manage license and permit applications from pre-application through approval, including schedules, budgets, technical inputs, document control, and responses to requests for additional information.
• Own the inventory and renewal calendar for radioactive materials, environmental, air, water, land-use, zoning, building, and other permits.
• Build the regulatory commitments and license-conditions system, coordinate inspections and reporting, and administer licenses after approval.
• Recruit and lead the licensing and permitting team while managing consultants, budgets, regulatory intelligence, and cross-functional governance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical science, environmental science, public policy, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in regulatory affairs, licensing, or permitting for nuclear, radiological, energy, or highly regulated industrial facilities, including 5+ years leading teams or programs.
• Experience managing license or permit applications through approval with the NRC, an Agreement State, DOE, or comparable regulators.
• Working knowledge of radioactive materials licensing, including 10 CFR Parts 20 and 30 or Agreement State equivalents, plus environmental permitting and NEPA processes.
• Ability to manage complex multi-contributor submissions, integrate engineering content, and communicate with executives and regulatory agencies.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee or asylee.

Nice to have

• Experience licensing first-of-a-kind facilities or technologies such as fusion systems, accelerators, research reactors, or advanced reactors.
• Experience with Agreement State fusion or accelerator programs and NRC fusion machine rulemaking.
• Experience establishing regulatory affairs or compliance functions in a fast-growing organization.
• Familiarity with FDA/CDRH, ANSI Z136, laser product, and laser safety requirements.
• Advanced degree or credentials such as PE, JD, PMP, or regulatory affairs certification.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time, on-site work with a mission focused on developing clean fusion power.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage and paid parental leave.
• 401(k) with company matching of up to 6% and eligible employee equity.
• Flexible paid time off, paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown.