Nuclear Trailblazer Kym Harshaw Joins ZettaJoule to Steer SMR Future

HOUSTON, TX – February 06, 2026 – In a significant move signaling its ambitions to commercialize advanced nuclear power, startup ZettaJoule Inc. has appointed Kym Harshaw, a trailblazing figure with a unique combination of operational and legal expertise, as its new General Counsel. The appointment places one of the industry's most distinguished leaders at the heart of a company aiming to revolutionize industrial energy with its high-temperature small modular reactors (SMRs).

Harshaw's move to the Houston-based SMR developer is seen as a major strategic coup. She will be responsible for spearheading ZettaJoule's legal strategy, managing regulatory risk, and overseeing corporate governance as the company navigates the complex path from design to deployment. For a company operating at the frontier of nuclear technology, her specific skillset is considered exceptionally valuable.

“We feel truly privileged to have Kym as part of the team,” said ZettaJoule Co-Founder, President and CEO Mitsuo Shimofuji in a statement. “Her extraordinary expertise will be crucial as we continue building a strong foundation for our rapidly expanding company.”

A Leader Forged in the Control Room

Kym Harshaw’s resume is unlike that of a typical general counsel. With over three decades in the nuclear sector, her career is a testament to a deep, hands-on understanding of nuclear operations. Most notably, Harshaw is one of the first women in the United States to successfully earn a Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) license for a commercial nuclear plant. This ultra-rigorous certification from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) authorized her to take direct command of a reactor control room, making safety-critical decisions and leading teams of operators in high-stakes environments.

This operational foundation propelled her into senior leadership. Before joining ZettaJoule, she served as the Interim President and CEO of the STP Nuclear Operating Company, where she was responsible for the safe and reliable operation of its dual-unit power station. Her tenure at STP also included roles as Chief Nuclear Officer, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, and General Counsel, giving her a panoramic view of the intersection between plant operations, regulatory compliance, and corporate strategy. Her academic background, which includes a bachelor's in Nuclear Engineering, a master's in the same field from MIT, and a Juris Doctorate, further underscores her multifaceted expertise.

This blend of engineering prowess and legal acumen is precisely what the burgeoning advanced reactor sector requires. While many executives understand the business or the technology, few have personally held the responsibility of operating a nuclear reactor and subsequently managed the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern them.

ZettaJoule's High-Temperature Ambition

Harshaw joins a company with a mission as ambitious as her background. ZettaJoule is developing an advanced High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) designed to operate at up to 950°C. This is a significant leap beyond the roughly 350°C heat generated by conventional water-cooled reactors that constitute the current global fleet.

This ultra-high heat is the key to unlocking a new market for nuclear power: industrial decarbonization. While traditional reactors are primarily used for electricity generation, ZettaJoule’s 30-megawatt thermal SMRs are designed to provide carbon-free process heat for hard-to-abate sectors like chemical manufacturing, steelmaking, and mining. The technology also promises efficient production of hydrogen and e-fuels, as well as providing reliable power for energy-intensive data centers and desalination plants.

To mitigate development risk, ZettaJoule is not starting from scratch. Its reactor design is a modernization of the proven technology behind the Japan Atomic Energy Agency's High-Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR), which has been operating successfully for decades. By building on a tested foundation, the company aims to streamline its path to commercialization.

“Having been in the industry for so long, it’s an honor to help bring small modular reactors to the market, especially using tech based on an existing reactor,” Harshaw commented. “This is something exciting.”

Navigating the Nuclear Renaissance

ZettaJoule and its competitors are entering the market at a pivotal moment. The global SMR market, valued at over $6.5 billion in 2025, is projected to exceed $10 billion by 2033, driven by a global push for energy security and deep decarbonization. Governments are increasingly viewing advanced nuclear as a critical tool for achieving climate goals.

The United States has taken legislative steps to foster this new nuclear age. The Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act, signed into law in 2024, aims to streamline the notoriously complex and lengthy NRC licensing process for new reactor designs. However, the path remains challenging, with hurdles including high upfront capital costs, supply chain readiness, and the availability of specialized High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel required by many advanced designs.

This is the landscape Harshaw has been hired to navigate. Her appointment is part of a broader strategy by ZettaJoule to build a formidable regulatory team. The company recently hired Andrea Veil, a former Director at the NRC's Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as Senior Vice President of Regulatory Strategy. The combined expertise of Harshaw and Veil creates a powerful tandem to guide ZettaJoule's reactor through the rigorous federal approval process.

This strategic focus has already attracted significant attention. ZettaJoule has secured backing from venture capital firms including Coral Capital and Globis Capital Partners. More critically, it has received formal support from Aramco Services Company, which sees potential applications for ZettaJoule's technology in its vast upstream and downstream operations. This endorsement from a global energy titan provides a powerful signal of market confidence.

As ZettaJoule Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Harper stated, “Kym is a super star who is an amazing addition to our company. I can’t wait to see how she’ll transform our corporate governance and regulatory strategy.” With a team of seasoned experts and a clear technological vision, ZettaJoule is positioning itself not just to participate in the nuclear renaissance, but to lead a crucial part of it.