X-energy LLC conducts a thorough recruiting process and will never issue offers without interview to discuss qualifications and responsibilities. All applications will be submitted via our company career page, www.x-energy.com/careers/. We will never ask you to provide payment information as part of the recruiting process. If anyone claiming to represent X-energy directs you in a manner otherwise, please contact us at www.x-energy.com/contact-us.
Job Description
The Senior Director of Engineering Strategy & Design leads strategic initiatives across the engineering organization who will divide their leadership focus between external and internal growth initiatives. This position partners closely with the Senior Director of Engineering Strategy and Operations to shape organizational priorities and ensure organizational alignment across commercial and technical objectives. The role requires deep technical expertise in nuclear engineering, supports new commercial opportunities, and strategic partnerships through deep technical and commercial acumen. This senior leader serves as a force multiplier for Engineering leadership—bridging technical excellence with commercial opportunity while advancing the nuclear industry's regulatory and standards framework.
Job Profile Tasks/Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Business Development
- Partner with the Senior Director of Engineering Strategy and Operations to identify, evaluate, and pursue engineering business development opportunities aligned with X-energy's HTGR technology
- Develop and execute strategies for engineering services, including feasibility studies, design services, licensing support, and technical consulting for nuclear energy applications
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with regulatory bodies, industrial partners, national laboratories, and international stakeholders
- Oversee technical proposal development for major engineering contracts, ensuring alignment with X-energy's strategic priorities and resource capacity
- Lead cross-functional initiatives requiring technical depth, business judgment, and stakeholder influence across organizational boundaries
- Facilitate alignment between engineering technical roadmaps and commercial business development priorities
- Oversee resource allocation for business development efforts
- Integrate business development into Engineering's strategic planning processes
- Mentor and develop team members
Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
- Synthesize complex technical and regulatory information into compelling business narratives for senior leadership, customers, and external stakeholders
- Develop and deliver high-impact presentations for various purposes
- Represent X-energy's engineering capabilities and thought leadership in external forums, including industry associations and standards bodies
- Build relationships with key decision-makers across multiple industries and organizations
- Build teams, competencies, processes, and management tools to ensure delivery of quality-affecting products across multiple disciplines
- Oversee end-to-end engineering delivery from system design through component development, manufacturing interfaces, acceptance testing, analytical qualification, and commissioning
- Ensure design and execution in full compliance with nuclear industry codes and standards, including ASME Section III, Division 5, and applicable regulatory requirements
- Drive cross-functional integration across design engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, testing, licensing, and operations
- Develop and maintain engineering standards, design methodologies, and quality processes for nuclear safety-class systems
- Lead organizational design efforts to optimize team structures, reporting relationships, and competency development for growing engineering departments
Reactor Development Execution
- Identify, track, and proactively remove technical and organizational roadblocks impacting development timelines.
- Establish clear communication channels between analysis teams and program leadership
- Drive continuous improvement across engineering workflows and cross-functional collaboration
- Mentor technical staff, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and nuclear safety culture
- Anticipate technical risks related to modeling assumptions, data limitations, and validation gaps
- Ensure Engineering analysis activities remain aligned with reactor development milestones and regulatory strategy
Job Profile Minimum Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering or related field (Ph.D. preferred).
- 15+ years of combined experience in nuclear reactor analysis, advanced reactor development, or safety analysis and business development.
- Demonstrated expertise with reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, fuel performance, and safety analysis codes.
- Experience interfacing with regulatory bodies (e.g., NRC or international regulators).
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.
- Strong business acumen with experience supporting commercial strategy or growth initiatives.
- Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in advanced reactor or SMR development programs.
- Direct involvement in licensing submissions or safety case development.
- Demonstrated success operating in high-growth, milestone-driven environments.
Location: 530 Gaither Road, Rockville MD
Work Site Expectations: 4 days in office, 1 day onsite - Remote Eligible
Travel Expectations: up to 10% as needed
Hours: Standard office schedule are 8:00am-5:00pm ET, Mon-Fri
Compensation
As required by Maryland and other applicable state law, X Energy, LLC (X-energy) lists the expected compensation range for a publicly advertised job opportunity based upon the job requirements (e.g. education/training, experience, skill sets, etc.). Individual candidates who meet the job requirements for the posted position will be offered a salary within this range based on their respective levels of education/training, experience, and other qualifications unique to them. Salary ranges may vary based on the specific office location and region referenced in the posting to take into consideration differences in cost of living and may not be reflective of all regions. Please note that compensation ranges listed for US job postings reflect base salary only and do not include benefits or other incentives.
A reasonable estimate for this position at the level of experience required is:
$219,401 - $365,668
Position Job Classification
Full time - Exempt
Benefits
X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental /Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees.
An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
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