Business Development and Government Affairs Lead

About Deep Isolation

Deep Isolation is a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal, providing a safe and cost-effective solution to the world’s unresolved problem of how to dispose of spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste (HLW) using deep boreholes. Deep Isolation has government customers and prospects in the US, UK, EU, Asia, and the Middle East. Our growing team of employees and associates works remotely, meeting in person 3–4 times per year.

The company values scientific integrity, operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and entrepreneurial spirit. Candidates will join a fast-paced, mission-driven start-up company transitioning into the public markets. This is an opportunity to work with a collaborative team on one of the world’s most important environmental challenges in a flexible and empowering culture emphasizing accountability, teamwork, and innovation.

Position Summary

The Business Development and Government Affairs Lead will support the Chief Commercialization Officer in driving Deep Isolation’s commercialization strategy in the U.S. This role will engage with the Engineering and MarCom departments as needed.

This multi-functional role will engage across government affairs, business development, and regulatory interfaces, enabling the adoption of Deep Isolation’s proprietary technologies by both federal agencies and private sector customers. 

For Deep Isolation, the U.S. market combines both significant opportunity (the world’s largest existing stockpile of spent nuclear fuel, plus bipartisan commitment to significant nuclear expansion) and significant challenge (disposal of commercial SNF anywhere but the stalled Yucca Mountain site requires change to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act). The position of Business Development and Government Affairs Lead is being created at a pivotal moment of change, with cross-industry consensus and Presidential Executive Orders converging on the need for innovation to break the long-standing logjam on disposal. DOE’s recent Request for Information on Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses (NLICs) illustrates this, which Deep Isolation is well-positioned to play a central role in.

The successful candidate will be a strategic and adaptable communicator, capable of conveying complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences. They will develop and maintain strategic networks within government, industry, and advocacy groups, leveraging relationships to advance company objectives.  Storytelling and relationship-building will be critical to success. The successful candidate will also need to operate across different business functions that in a larger organization might have separate departments (Government Affairs, Business Development, Regulatory Affairs), so flexibility and pro-activity are essential.  The post offers potential to evolve into a leadership position and build a specialized team as the organization grows.

Core Functions

Government & Regulatory Affairs:

• Lead engagement with U.S. federal and state government stakeholders (DOE, NRC, etc.) to advance policy, regulatory, and funding objectives.
• Monitor and influence legislative and policy developments relevant to nuclear waste disposal, advocating for outcomes-focused, technology-neutral regulation and federal investment in disposal innovation.
• Lead engagement with DOE’s NLIC process, including state engagement and positioning Deep Isolation within emerging state-industry coalitions.
• Work with the Engineering team to support the company’s pre-licensing engagement with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Business Development & Commercial Strategy:

• Drive business development initiatives in the U.S., including outreach to nuclear utilities, advanced reactor operators, and potential commercial partners.
• In particular, focus on opening up beachhead markets for our technology that do not require NWPA change (storage of SNF in the UCS; disposal of DOE-owned waste streams and defense waste).
• Collaborate with internal technical experts to translate technical insights into compelling communications and business proposals (with a particular focus on the U.S., but also supporting international proposals as required).
• Assist in creating commercial models and strategic plans aligned with the company’s objectives.

Outreach & Communications:

• Represent Deep Isolation in external forums, panels, media, and public engagements to support mission and commercial goals.
• Collaborate with marketing team to drive awareness and understanding of company achievements and plans across U.S. government, industry and wider stakeholders.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Support our engagement with local communities and stakeholders at Deep Isolation sites (including our demonstration project at Cameron, TX, and potential host communities for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses).
• Build and maintain positive relationships with local, state, and regional stakeholders to facilitate project development and regulatory acceptance.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in government affairs, business development, regulatory engagement, or policy roles, preferably in energy, nuclear, or highly regulated sectors.
• Strong understanding of U.S. government processes and stakeholder landscapes.
• Proven ability to build and leverage professional networks with government agencies and industry partners.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex technical concepts for non‑technical audiences.
• Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable working in a dynamic, multi-functional environment.
• Self-starter capable of operating independently and collaboratively within a remote team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nuclear energy, advanced reactors, or related technology sectors.
• Exposure to international nuclear regulatory or commercial nuclear environments.
• Track record of successful advocacy, policy influence, or public engagement.
• Familiarity with commercial contracting, public procurement, and international financing mechanisms.

Education & Experience

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in any relevant field (e.g., business, policy, engineering, or science).
• Preferred: Advanced degree in business, policy, or a technical field; or equivalent professional experience in government affairs, nuclear industry, or commercialization roles.

Other

• Ability to work in the U.S. immediately.
  
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently in a remote and field-based environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, start-up environment.
• Ability to manage deadlines and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to travel domestically or internationally.
  
• Ability to perform sedentary work, including extended periods of sitting (or standing) and computer use, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  

Deep Isolation is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.