Chief Nuclear Officer
Work Location: Waterloo, ON/Toronto, ON
About Canadian Strategic Missions Corp. (CSMC)
Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation is building the capabilities that will shape Canada's future in space, defence, and energy. We focus on developing dual use systems that address critical challenges here on Earth while enabling sustained human activity beyond it.
In a short time, CSMC has established real momentum. We have secured significant government investment to advance next generation micro nuclear reactors in partnership with leading institutions, alongside expanding a portfolio of technologies designed for remote environments, national defence, and future space missions. These efforts reflect a broader ambition to deliver reliable power and critical infrastructure where it matters most.
Our work is grounded in close collaboration with government and guided by a clear sense of purpose: to build sovereign capability at a time when it has never been more important. We care deeply about execution, long term impact and earning the trust required to deliver systems that will service Canada and its allies for decades.
CSMC is a company for builders. We are a group of people drawn to hard problems, meaningful impact and the opportunity to shape systems that matter at a national and global scale. We are building a team that thrives in ambiguity, values execution, and is motivated by mission and impact.
Position Overview
The Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO) is CSMC’s senior executive responsible for nuclear governance, regulatory engagement, safety culture, and compliance across all nuclear‑related programs. This role provides strategic leadership for licensing, nuclear safety, quality assurance, engineering governance, and regulatory affairs, ensuring that CSMC meets or exceeds all applicable Canadian nuclear regulatory requirements.
The CNO will serve as the company’s primary interface with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and other federal authorities, guiding CSMC through licensing pathways for advanced reactor technologies. This role is central to establishing CSMC as a trusted, compliant, and technically rigorous nuclear innovator.
This position is on‑site in Waterloo, Ontario, five days per week to support secure operations, controlled workspaces, and executive leadership responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Nuclear Governance & Regulatory Leadership
- Lead all nuclear regulatory strategy, including CNSC engagement, licensing pathways, and regulatory submissions.
- Establish and maintain CSMC’s nuclear governance framework aligned with CSA N286, N299, and other applicable standards.
- Serve as the company’s senior nuclear authority and primary point of contact with CNSC, federal agencies, and regulatory stakeholders.
- Oversee development of licensing documents, safety cases, technical basis reports, and regulatory filings.
Nuclear Safety & Compliance
- Build and sustain a strong nuclear safety culture across the organization.
- Ensure compliance with nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and emergency preparedness requirements.
- Oversee nuclear risk management, hazard analysis, and safety classification processes.
- Lead development and implementation of nuclear policies, procedures, and technical governance.
Engineering Oversight & Technical Authority
- Provide executive oversight of reactor design, thermal‑hydraulics, neutronics, systems engineering, and safety analysis activities.
- Ensure engineering processes meet regulatory expectations for design control, configuration management, verification & validation, and technical baselining.
- Chair or oversee key technical review boards, including design authority and safety review committees.
Quality Assurance & Program Management
- Oversee nuclear QA programs aligned with CSA N286/N299 and defence‑related quality frameworks.
- Ensure integration of nuclear QA with engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and testing activities.
- Support readiness for audits, inspections, and regulatory assessments.
Strategic Leadership
- Advise the CEO and executive team on nuclear strategy, regulatory risk, and program readiness.
- Support partnerships with government, national laboratories, academia, and industry.
- Represent CSMC in national and international nuclear forums as appropriate.
Required Qualifications
- 15+ years of experience in nuclear engineering, nuclear operations, regulatory affairs, or reactor development.
- Demonstrated and proven successful leadership in CNSC‑regulated environments (e.g., reactor facilities, utilities, vendors, national labs).
- Deep knowledge of CNSC regulatory frameworks, licensing processes, and safety case development.
- Experience with CSA N286, N299, and nuclear QA programs.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in safety‑critical environments.
- Strong communication skills and experience interfacing with regulators, government agencies, and executive stakeholders.
- Eligibility for federal security screening and Controlled Goods Program compliance (BFOR requirement).
- Must be able to work on‑site in Waterloo, ON, five days per week.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with advanced reactors, microreactors, or non‑traditional nuclear applications (defence, remote operations, aerospace).
- Prior experience as a Design Authority, Nuclear Safety Manager, Regulatory Affairs Director, or equivalent.
- Experience developing or reviewing safety analysis (thermal‑hydraulics, neutronics, PRA).
- Background in nuclear R&D, prototype development, or early‑stage technology programs.
- Graduate degree in nuclear engineering or related field.
Why Join CSMC
CSMC is building technologies that will shape Canada’s future in energy, space, and national security. You’ll join a team of engineers, scientists, and mission‑driven builders who care deeply about solving hard problems that matter. We move quickly, support each other, and take pride in doing work that has real impact. Along the way, you’ll have access to competitive compensation, benefits, and equity, and the chance to grow with a company that values ownership, curiosity, and technical excellence.
Employment Eligibility
CSMC works with highly sensitive nuclear, defence, and aerospace technologies, and all roles require eligibility for federal security screening and compliance with controlled goods and export regulations. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada, able to obtain and maintain Government of Canada security clearance, and eligible to meet foreign affiliation and export control requirements. These conditions are mandatory Bona Fide Occupational Requirements and reflect the need to securely develop and protect nationally significant capabilities.
