Chief Nuclear Officer

About CSMC

Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation (CSMC) is a Canadian deep‑tech company developing advanced micro‑reactor technologies for defence, aerospace, remote operations, and future off‑world missions. Our work spans nuclear engineering, advanced materials, thermal‑hydraulics, systems integration, and mission‑critical energy systems.

We are building a world‑class engineering organization focused on safety, innovation, and national strategic capability. As we expand our nuclear programs, we are seeking a Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO) to lead all nuclear governance, licensing, safety, and regulatory strategy across the company.

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?

• Shape the future of Canadian nuclear innovation and strategic energy capability.


• Lead nuclear governance for one of Canada’s most ambitious deep‑tech programs.


• Work with a world‑class engineering team developing next‑generation microreactor technologies.


• Contribute to missions that matter, from defense resilience to off‑world exploration!
  
  

Employment Eligibility 

CSMC works with highly sensitive nuclear, defence, and aerospace‑related technologies. As a result, all CSMC positions require eligibility for federal security screening and export‑control compliance. These requirements are considered Bona Fide Occupational Requirements (BFORs) under applicable human‑rights legislation. 

To be eligible for employment at CSMC, candidates must be able to meet ALL of the following criteria: 

1. Current Legal Authorization to Work in Canada

• Currently legally authorized to work in Canada


• Able to maintain valid work authorization for the duration of employment 

2. Government of Canada Security Screening 

• Able to obtain and maintain Reliability Status or higher


• Able to provide at least 5 years of continuous, verifiable background history


• Willing to undergo identity, employment, education, and criminal background checks

3. Foreign Influence & Foreign Affiliation Risk Assessment (FIRA) 

CSMC works with controlled nuclear and defence technologies, and candidates must be eligible to undergo a Foreign Influence and Foreign Affiliation Risk Assessment, which may include review of: 

• Foreign citizenship(s)


• Recent foreign residence


• Immediate family ties abroad


• Foreign financial, business, or government affiliations
  

4. Controlled Goods & Export‑Control Eligibility

• Eligible to access Controlled Goods under the Controlled Goods Program (CGP)


• Eligible to access export‑controlled technical data under Canadian law


• Willing to undergo additional screening if required 

5. On‑Site Requirement

• Able to work on‑site as required for access to secure and controlled workspaces. 

These requirements are regulatory in nature and are necessary to ensure compliance with federal law and the secure handling of sensitive technologies.