Zackary Rad

More than thirty years in nuclear, beginning in the engine room of a submarine and arriving at the licensing of reactors that do not exist yet.

He has stood watch on a naval reactor, held a Senior Reactor Operator licence at an operating commercial plant, managed licensing for a uranium enrichment facility, directed licensing on large light water construction, and led the regulatory function at four advanced reactor companies.

That range is the point. The same person can sit in a board meeting and translate a regulatory risk into schedule and dollars, then go author the licensing deliverable that closes it. Boardroom and engine room.

He also serves as Chief Regulatory Officer at LucidCatalyst, directing regulatory strategy and clean energy licensing across U.S., U.K., and international markets.

Selected experience

1. NuScale Power Director, Regulatory Affairs · 2014–2020

   Led the regulatory strategy for the first small modular reactor design certification application the NRC reviewed, and directed the licensing team through the multi-year United States and international review that followed.

2. Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality · 2022–2024

   Set global licensing strategy across several reactor types and jurisdictions, and built the international quality and compliance framework supporting reactor manufacturing.

3. Kairos Power Director, Quality Innovation · 2020–2022

   Led the quality transformation for the Hermes non-power demonstration reactor, holding development pace and NRC compliance in the same hand.

4. DTE Energy, Fermi 2 Manager, Nuclear Licensing · 2012–2014

   Licensing and compliance for an operating station, including licence renewal, the environmental compliance programs, and the regulatory response following Fukushima.

5. URENCO USA Manager, Licensing · 2011–2012

   Licensing for a uranium enrichment facility expansion, including at-risk construction and environmental report amendments, with direct engagement on enforcement resolution.

6. Tennessee Valley Authority Manager, Licensing, Bellefonte and Watts Bar · 2004–2011

   Licensing execution for Watts Bar Unit 2 construction and the Bellefonte program, covering federal filings, scope development, quality assurance, and regulatory negotiation.

7. United States Navy, USS West Virginia Machinist Mate, Nuclear · 1994–2000

   Engineering Laboratory Supervisor and Engine Room Watch Supervisor aboard a nuclear-powered submarine, and instructor in the Navy Nuclear Power Program.

Current work

• Safety basis for a first-of-a-kind reactor on the DOE authorization route: documented safety analysis, technical safety requirements, and the nuclear safety design strategy beneath them
• The transition from federal pilot authorization to a durable long-term commercial licensing model
• Fuel manufacturing facility licensing
• An environmental report supporting an early site permit application
• Combined license application scope, cost, and schedule baselines
• Nuclear quality assurance programs and implementing procedures

Credentials

• Senior Reactor Operator licence, Sequoyah Nuclear Plant
• MBA, Middle Tennessee State University
• BS, Nuclear Engineering Technology, Thomas Edison State College
• Project Management Professional
• Navy Nuclear Power Program
• Shift Technical Advisor, Sequoyah