ABOUT SUBCRITICAL SYSTEMS
Subcritical Systems, Inc. is a venture-backed startup in Austin, Texas building the accelerator driven systems and the only US commercial manufacturer of accelerator cavities. What Space X did for rockets, we plan to do for accelerator cavities and commercialize across applications of power production, medical isotopes, semiconductors and waste transmutation.
We are in the process of building the Energy Amplifier — a novel nuclear fission system in which a particle accelerator drives a subcritical core, making meltdown physically impossible for clean power production. Due to its inherent safety, our system has a more streamlined licensing process. Our founding team includes successful entrepreneurs with a track record of building several multibillion dollar companies in deep-tech, and scientists who were leading U.S. national labs with deep experience in accelerator & nuclear technologies.
We are actively hiring to expand our team as we work toward licensing, regulatory submissions, and construction of our first energy amplifier. More information is available at subcritical.com.
ROLE SUMMARY
Subcritical is seeking a senior Government Affairs leader to build and lead the company’s government relations function from the ground up, with responsibility for developing and executing a coordinated federal, state, and local strategy. You will manage relationships with Congress, DOE, and NRC to advance siting, licensing, and funding pathways, while leading state and local engagement in target siting markets, beginning with Texas. As the company’s primary advocate with policymakers and regulators, you will translate government engagement into tangible outcomes and ensure policy, regulatory, and funding realities inform site selection and deployment strategy.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead with corresponding Technical Team Key Projects from strategy to successful completion
- Develop a strategy and work with nuclear leadership on successfully setting up nuclear waste transmutation program
- Engage in DOE/DOW/Commerce funding and partnership opportunities
- Work on Government projects currently in discussion: Defense application, Fusion Prototypic Material Testing (FPNS), Energy Dominance Financing
- Federal CHIPS award as Subcritical has already received state CHIPS funding
Federal Engagement
- Build the nuclear waste transmutation project of accelerator-driven technology
- Build and manage relationships with Congress, DOE, DOW, and other relevant federal agencies to advance siting, licensing, and funding priorities
- Track and pursue federal funding opportunities (DOE programs, loan guarantees, grants) aligned with deployment milestones
- Develop and execute federal tax and appropriations strategy, including engagement with tax-writing committees (Senate Finance, House Ways & Means) on nuclear tax credit and incentive policy
- Monitor federal legislative and regulatory developments affecting advanced nuclear siting and permitting
- Draft policy positions, comment letters, and advocacy materials for federal proceedings, press and community engagement
State & Local Engagement
- Develop and execute a state and local government relations strategy for target siting markets, starting with Matagorda County and the state of Texas
- Build relationships with state legislators, the Governor's office, relevant state agencies, and local officials in host communities
- Engage state utility/siting regulators and monitor legislation relevant to advanced nuclear deployment
- Build a legislative-monitoring system to track policy trends across priority states
- Compliance & Coordination
- Manage outside lobbyists and consultants; ensure compliance with federal and state Lobbying Disclosure Act requirements
- Coordinate cross-functionally with legal, regulatory, and site development teams to align GR strategy with deployment timelines
- Brief executive leadership on policy developments, funding opportunities, and stakeholder dynamics
- Represent the company in industry coalitions and trade associations
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Working knowledge of the federal legislative process, appropriations, and/or state legislative and regulatory processes
- Demonstrated relationships with congressional offices, federal agencies, and/or state policymakers
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfort drafting testimony and policy materials
- Willingness to travel
- U.S. citizenship (required for compliance with nuclear-related export control regulations)
Preferred
- Experience in energy, nuclear, or infrastructure policy specifically
- Experience managing outside lobbyists/consultants
BENEFITS
We offer health, dental, and vision insurance.
LOCATION & WORK POLICY
This role is fully remote, with some limited travel to our HQ in Austin as required.