Director of International Business Development

Bellevue, WA · On-site

About this role

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure, and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.”

TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes.  TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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. 

Director of International Business Development

TerraPower is seeking a Director of International Business Development to lead the identification, development, and advancement of international market opportunities for the Natrium reactor and energy system. This individual will report to the Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategy, and will be a key driver of TerraPower's global growth strategy. They will be charged with building relationships with foreign governments, utilities, industrial partners, financial institutions, and large load customers at all levels, and translating those relationships into structured commercial pathways toward deployment.

This is a high-visibility role requiring a rare combination of team leadership, high-level business development instincts, advanced financial and commercial structuring expertise, and cross-cultural fluency. The ideal candidate can navigate complex government and regulatory environments, structure bankable project frameworks, and build long-term trust with international partners in a highly technical, capital-intensive industry.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership

  • This role is responsible for backing up the SVP of Business Development as needed in critical internal and external business efforts.
  • As function grows, this role may be tasked with building, developing and retaining critical international business development professionals.

Market Development & Strategy

  • Identify, prioritize, and develop international markets for Natrium deployment based on energy policy, demand growth, regulatory readiness, and strategic fit
  • Build and maintain relationships with foreign government officials, ministries of energy, national utilities, state-owned enterprises, and industrial off-takers
  • Independently represent TerraPower at international conferences, government meetings, trade missions, and industry forums
  • Monitor geopolitical, regulatory, and competitive developments affecting international nuclear markets

Commercial & Financial Structuring

  • Lead the structuring of commercial frameworks for international projects, including EPC arrangements, ownership models, offtake agreements, and risk allocation structures
  • Work closely with TerraPower departments to develop financing strategies incorporating export credit agencies (e.g., EXIM, USTDA), multilateral development banks, sovereign guarantees, and private capital
  • Support development of bankable project economics and term sheets in coordination with business, legal, finance, engineering and other teams
  • Structure and negotiate MOUs, teaming agreements, joint development agreements, and early-stage commercial contracts

Deployment Pathway Management

  • Serve as the internal and external point of coordination driving international opportunities from early engagement through feasibility, site selection, licensing pathway alignment, and toward final investment decision
  • Coordinate cross-functionally with engineering, licensing, supply chain, government affairs, and legal teams to ensure market-specific requirements are reflected in deployment planning
  • Develop and track opportunity pipelines, market entry plans, and business cases for executive leadership and board reporting

Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Cultivate strategic relationships with local partners, EPC firms, utilities, and financial institutions to support market entry and project development
  • Support U.S. government engagement (DOE, State Department, EXIM, USTDA) on international nuclear cooperation and export initiatives relevant to target markets
  • Act as a trusted advisor to international counterparts, building long-term credibility for TerraPower and Natrium

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in business, finance, engineering, international relations, or related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred)
  • 15+ years of experience in international business development leadership, project development, or commercial structuring, ideally in energy, infrastructure, or capital-intensive industries
  • Demonstrated experience structuring complex commercial and financial arrangements (e.g., project finance, offtake agreements, EPC structures, risk-sharing frameworks)
  • Minimum of 5+ years of people management experience with advanced understanding of management and leadership principles. Demonstrated ability to grow and develop employees
  • Strong understanding of international project finance, including export credit agency and multilateral development bank mechanisms
  • Track record of building relationships with government stakeholders and navigating cross-border regulatory or policy environments
  • Excellent negotiation, communication, and executive presentation skills
  • Willingness and ability to travel internationally on a frequent basis
  • Experience in nuclear energy, power generation, or large-scale infrastructure development

Preferred Qualifications

  • Existing relationships with government or industry stakeholders in priority Natrium markets
  • Korean language fluency strongly preferred
  • Experience working with U.S. government export and financing bodies (DOE, EXIM, USTDA, State Department)
  • Familiarity with nuclear licensing, non-proliferation, and 123 Agreement frameworks

 

Job Functions:

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position. These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.  Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations.  An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

  • Motor Abilities: Sitting for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands)
  • Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds.
  • Repetitive work: Prolonged
  • Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
  • Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hours/day
  • Travel required 0-10%

TerraPower’s technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government.  TerraPower must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S. Government export control requirements.  To facilitate TerraPower’s export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.  Government export authorization approval times vary.  Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.

Job details

Salary Range: $207,995.63 - $277,3275.50

 

* We typically place offers in the lower to middle portion of the range to maintain internal equity and allow room for growth. Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected individual’s qualifications experience.  This range is specific to Washington State.

Benefits:

  • Competitive Compensation
  • Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments
  • Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits
    •   Medical
    •   Vision
    • Dental
    • Life and Disability
    • Gender Affirmation Benefits
  • Parental Leave
  • 401k Plan
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
    • 21 days of annually accrued PTO
  • Generous Holiday Schedule
    • 10 paid holidays
  • Relocation Assistance
  • Professional and Educational Support Opportunities

TerraPower Career and Benefits information:  https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/

Company at a glance

TerraPower is a leading nuclear innovation company that strives to improve the world through nuclear energy and science. TerraPower’s innovators create technologies to provide safe, affordable and abundant carbon-free energy. They devise ways to use heat and electricity to drive economic growth while decarbonizing industry. And they develop processes to extract radioisotopes for medical use in lifesaving cancer treatments.

We’re proud of our culture of mission-driven innovation. Our employees develop clean, safe energy to address climate change and global poverty, and drive medical advances for human health applications. We attract exceptional people and encourage them to confront big challenges with bold creativity. We drive hard for progress while keeping our values at the forefront.

TerraPower was founded by Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries that decided the private sector needed to take action in developing advanced nuclear energy to meet growing electricity needs, mitigate climate change and lift billions out of poverty. Advanced reactors and other isotopic applications are now possible with technology and enhanced computing capabilities that were unimaginable a few decades ago. At TerraPower, we are innovating in nuclear to improve the lives of people everywhere and to build the clean energy of tomorrow – today.

TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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. In addition, as a federal contractor, TerraPower has instituted an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) in an effort to proactively recruit, hire, and promote women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Team Size501-1,000 employees
WorkspaceOn-site
IndustryNuclear Electric Power Generation
Location
Bellevue, Washington, United States
LinkedInLinkedIn

Top Benefits

  • Medical
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Life and Disability
  • Gender Affirmation Benefits
  • Parental Leave
  • 401k Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Schedule
  • Relocation Assistance
  • Professional and Educational Support

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