Senior Director, Engineering Strategy & Design

X-energy • Rockville, MD

2d • $219,401 - $365,668 • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree