Senior Compliance Paralegal

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, Zenos batteries power critical missions on Earth, in space, and at sea. To bring this technology to market by 2027, Zeno is seeking out 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. 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.
Zeno Power is seeking a detail‑oriented, proactive Senior Paralegal to support the Legal team in our Washington, DC office. This role will work closely with the Chief Regulatory and Legal Officer, counterparties, and inside and outside counsel to manage a broad range of corporate and contracts matters as Zeno scales through its next phase of growth as a commercial and national security supplier of radioisotope power systems.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, comfortable managing competing priorities in a fast-moving environment, and eager to build infrastructure, process, and deep subject-matter fluency across corporate governance, day-to-day contract operations (especially NDAs and standard services agreements), commercial and government contracts, and other key corporate needs in an exciting and complex field.
Serve as first-line support for company-wide NDAs and standard services agreements, particularly for the Business Operations, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and other DC-based organizations. Help maintain contract templates and negotiation playbooks for common agreements, such as NDAs and services agreements, and support negotiations.
Partner with counsel to maintain and improve contract templates and negotiation playbooks for common agreements (e.g., NDAs, services agreements), and support legal research on related matters.
Assist with transaction-related documentation, such as managing closing checklists and corporate regulatory filings.
Help prepare diligence materials and manage data rooms for fundraising, M&A, or other strategic corporate actions or transactions.
Support export control compliance workstreams (ITAR/EAR), including recordkeeping and coordination with counsel and IT teams on classification and access-control matters.
Support employment and litigation matters, including organizing personnel-related legal documentation, litigation holds, and investigation logistics.
Own administrative aspects of the Legal function, including tracking/calendaring key deadlines (POA&Ms, filing dates, contract renewals), maintaining trackers, and flagging upcoming obligations proactively.
8+ years of paralegal experience, ideally a large portion of which is in-house supporting corporate and transactional work; including experience with government contractors, aerospace/defense, and/or other regulated industries.
~ Experience managing corporate governance documentation and general corporate legal operations.
~ Experience within high-volume contract intake, including full lifecycle management and tracking.
~ Strong familiarity developing and implementing contract lifecycle management systems, writing related guidance, and training staff.
~ Exercises sound judgment and discretion when handling highly confidential and sensitive information, including personnel matters, intellectual property, and investor materials.
~ Proficiency with standard legal and productivity tools (e.g., CLMs like Ironclad, Microsoft Office/Google Workspace, Confluence and Jira).
~ Exposure to government contracting compliance frameworks (e.g., Position requires in-office presence in Washington, D.remote work is optional on Mondays and Fridays.
~ Travel: Limited travel required, up to 5%
~ Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
~ The final job level and compensation will be determined by various factors such as a candidates relevant work experience, years of relevant experience, skills, qualifications, certifications, and other business considerations.
Stock options
~ Flexible paid time off
~11 observed company holidays
~ Life insurance
~ Medical, dental, and vision insurance
~ Relocation assistance
~ Dog friendly office

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. 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.
S citizen or U.Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e., admitted as a refugee or is granted asylum).