Engineer III-IV, Engineering Strategy

X-energy; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 107,495 - 199,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

X-energy is seeking an Engineer III/IV to advance small modular reactor development projects. This pivotal role involves identifying and removing obstacles to ensure consistent progress. The candidate will synthesize complex technical information for executive decision-making and maintain high standards of nuclear safety.

The ideal applicant has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and five or more years of engineering experience. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or 5 years of experience.
• 5+ years for level III and 10+ years for level IV roles.
• Experience in engineering project environments.

Responsibilities

• Identify and remove roadblocks in project timelines.
• Coordinate with various teams to resolve challenges.
• Develop engineering processes and quality workflows.

Skills

Cross-functional coordination

Project management

Technical sales experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

5+ years in Engineering role

10+ years for level IV role

Tools

Project management methodologies

Job description

Overview

Engineer III/IV, Engineering Strategy & Operations plays a pivotal role in advancing small modular reactor development projects by proactively identifying and removing obstacles to ensure consistent progress toward key milestones. This position requires exceptional skills in cross‑functional coordination and the ability to influence without direct authority to drive initiatives forward. The role synthesizes complex technical information from across the organization to enable timely executive decision‑making while upholding the highest standards of nuclear safety and quality.

Responsibilities

• Identify, track, and proactively remove roadblocks across HTGR reactor development projects to maintain progress against critical timelines.
• Coordinate with technical leads, Engineering, Procurement, Business Development, Quality Assurance, and regulatory stakeholders to resolve cross‑functional challenges.
• Develop and improve engineering processes, quality workflows, and standard operating procedures, as well as lessons learned and best practices.
• Create and maintain templates, procedures, work instructions, and quality documentation.
• Consolidate and distill complex technical information into concise, actionable intelligence for executive leadership.
• Work directly with Business Development and Licensing offices to promote relationship building internally and externally, such as in early discovery conversations to ensure credibility.
• Establish effective communication channels between technical teams internally and externally, ensuring alignment of priorities and resources.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives through influence and relationship‑building rather than direct authority.
• Facilitate and assist in the assessment of customer needs and capture requirements and functions related to plant design including the nuclear island systems and conventional island systems.
• Create and maintain project documentation, decision matrices, and status reports for communication to leadership, the organization, or external partners and clients.
• Support change management processes when scope or requirements evolve.
• Develop and track performance metrics to measure project health and progress.
• Anticipate potential obstacles before they impact schedules and develop contingency plans.
• Always maintain a professional demeanor and behavior in all forms of communication.
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field, preferably in mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil or other related discipline, or 5 years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Typically, five + years of experience in a role in Engineering or related field required for a level III.
• Typically, ten + years of experience in a role in Engineering or related field required for a level IV.
• Experience in engineering project environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives without direct authority.
• Experience with project management methodologies.
• Experience in a customer‑facing or technical sales environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in start‑up engineering environments.
• Experience in R&D or business R&D.
• Experience with design and operation of mechanical systems including, but not limited to, steam, feedwater, or condensate systems.
• Experience in nuclear systems, nuclear fuel and fuel handling, mechanical material handling as well as helium process or gas purification systems (HSS).
• Technical proficiency in fundamentals of mechanical design for structural and fluidic components, mechanisms, or manufacturing & processing equipment.
• Experience with auxiliary feedwater or complex component cooling systems.
• Experience with design and operation of mechanical systems including, but not limited to, steam, feedwater, condensate, HVAC, fire protection, drainage, compressed air, services, water‑based systems, or nuclear systems.
• Possess technical experience and proven understanding in radiation shielding design and analysis; criticality safety; reactor analysis; reactor physics, fuel analysis; nuclear materials and chemistry; special nuclear materials safeguards, security, and accountability; or analysis of small modular reactors.
• Familiarity with NRC Regulations, Codes, and Standards, as well as ASME, NQA‑1, NEI, and DOE/DOD industry standards Knowledge of 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, NQA‑1, ASME Section III & VIII, ISO 9001, NEI 18‑04, and 10 CFR 21.

Location

530 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD

Work Site Expectations

4‑5 days in office.

Travel Expectations

Up to 10% as needed for project assignment.

Hours

Standard office hours are 8:00 am‑5:00 pm ET, Monday‑Friday.

Compensation

Full‑time position, salary range based on level:

• Level III: $107,495 – $179,159
• Level IV: $119,820 – $199,700

Position Classification

Full time – Exempt.

Benefits

X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401(k) plan with an employer match, medical/dental/vision insurance, life and disability insurance, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement / professional development policy that supports continuing education of employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

E‑Verify Participation

X Energy, LLC participates in E‑Verify. Please visit the links below for more information about E‑Verify and the protection of your Right to Work.

Right To Work Link: If you have the right to work, don't let anyone take it away (e-verify.gov)

E‑Verify Participation Link: E‑Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish