Nuclear Technology & Engineering Director

Director, Nuclear Technology & Engineering

• Department: Engineering & Technical Operations
• Reports To: Chief Executive Officer / Project Director
• Location
  Dallas, Texas (with frequent travel to Oak Ridge, TN, Washington, D.C., and other project sites)
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
• Level: Senior Management / Executive
• Security Clearance: Active or reinstatable DOE Q Clearance or DoD Secret/TS preferred
• Compensation
  $225,000 – $375,000 base salary
  25–50% performance bonus
  Equity participation

Company Overview

HGP Intelligent Energy is an advanced energy infrastructure company pioneering the integration of repurposed U.S. naval nuclear reactor technology with next-generation AI data center facilities.

Our flagship CoreHeld Project, developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, will deploy dual A1B-class naval pressurized water reactors at the Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee. The project will deliver approximately 485 MWe of carbon-free baseload power to support the rapidly growing demands of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing infrastructure.

HGP operates under the DOE’s accelerated licensing framework and is targeting commercial operation within 39 months—significantly faster than traditional nuclear development timelines. Backed by institutional investors, HGP is building a world-class technical and leadership team to execute this first-of-kind deployment and establish a scalable model for future projects.

Position Summary

The Director of Nuclear Technology & Engineering is the senior technical authority for HGP’s naval reactor repurposing program. This executive-level role provides strategic and hands-on leadership across reactor system integration, balance-of-plant (BOP) engineering, regulatory engagement, and project execution.

The Director serves as HGP’s primary subject matter expert on naval nuclear propulsion systems and represents the company in high-level technical engagements with the Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 National Security Complex, Naval Reactors (NAVSEA 08), and other federal and industry stakeholders.

A core responsibility of this role is ownership of balance-of-plant design and integration, including turbine-generator systems, condensers, feedwater and condensate systems, electrical infrastructure, cooling water systems, and grid interconnection. The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of both the nuclear island and the conventional power conversion systems required to reliably deliver 485 MWe to the grid.

This position requires deep technical expertise, executive presence, and the ability to communicate effectively with senior government officials, national laboratory leadership, investors, and board members.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership and Strategy

• Serve as the organization’s senior technical authority on naval pressurized water reactor systems, including A1B-class and S9G plants

• Define and execute technical strategy for reactor integration, balance-of-plant design, and grid interconnection

• Provide technical leadership on highly enriched uranium fuel management in coordination with Y-12 and NNSA

• Lead technical input for DOE proposals, feasibility studies, safety analyses, and engineering documentation

• Develop and maintain technical roadmaps covering deployment, commissioning, and operational readiness

Balance-of-Plant Engineering

• Lead or oversee design and integration of BOP systems, including steam turbine generators, condensers, feedwater, and condensate systems

• Direct engineering of plant electrical systems, including generators, transformers, switchgear, and grid interconnection

• Oversee cooling water system design, including intake and outfall structures and thermal discharge management

• Manage integration between the nuclear steam supply system and conventional power conversion equipment

• Coordinate with turbine OEMs, electrical equipment suppliers, EPC contractors, and architect-engineers

• Ensure BOP systems meet TVA grid interconnection requirements and NERC reliability standards

• Develop plant heat balance, efficiency optimization strategies, and auxiliary power requirements

Stakeholder Engagement and Regulatory Interface

• Represent HGP in technical engagements with DOE, national laboratories, Naval Reactors, and other federal agencies

• Interface with NAVSEA 08 and relevant Navy organizations on reactor technology transfer and operational requirements

• Support regulatory approval activities under DOE’s accelerated licensing framework

• Build strong working relationships with national laboratory engineers, DOE program leadership, and congressional stakeholders

• Deliver technical briefings to investors, board members, and senior government officials

Project Execution and Team Development

• Lead engineering efforts across all project phases, from selection negotiations through construction and commissioning

• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing nuclear and power engineering organization

• Manage technical scope, schedule, and budget for engineering activities

• Coordinate closely with EPC partners, consultants, and specialty contractors

• Establish engineering standards, quality assurance practices, and technical review processes

Safety, Security, and Compliance

• Champion nuclear safety culture across the organization

• Ensure compliance with DOE orders, NNSA requirements, and applicable nuclear safety regulations

• Oversee development of safety documentation, including Documented Safety Analyses and Technical Safety Requirements

• Support physical security and information security planning for special nuclear materials and classified programs

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field

• Master’s degree or higher preferred but not required with exceptional operational experience

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in naval nuclear propulsion, nuclear engineering, or power plant engineering

• Direct experience with the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program strongly preferred

• Experience with A1B-class, S9G, or other naval reactor plants highly desirable

• Demonstrated expertise in balance-of-plant systems and conventional power generation equipment

• At least 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience over technical teams

• Experience interfacing with senior government, military, or utility leadership

Military Experience (if applicable)

• Navy nuclear-trained officers (O-3 through O-6) with submarine or surface warfare backgrounds

• Department Head, Engineer Officer, Executive Officer, or Naval Reactors staff experience highly valued

• Chief Petty Officers (E-7 through E-9) with extensive nuclear engineering department experience considered

Security Requirements

• U.S. citizenship required

• Active or reinstatable DOE Q Clearance or DoD Secret/TS preferred

• Ability to obtain and maintain DOE Q Clearance and Human Reliability Program certification

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at Bettis or Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory

• Naval Reactors Headquarters experience

• Ford-class carrier or Virginia-class submarine construction experience

• Commercial nuclear power plant experience, particularly in BOP or plant engineering

• Steam turbine-generator experience with major OEMs

• Grid interconnection or transmission engineering experience

• DOE national laboratory or federal infrastructure project experience

• NNSA or Y-12 experience related to HEU operations

• Professional Engineer license

• Senior Reactor Operator certification

• PMP certification

Required Competencies

• Technical Excellence: Deep knowledge of PWR systems, reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, and power conversion

• Systems Integration: Ability to understand and manage the full plant system from reactor to grid

• Leadership: Proven ability to build, lead, and scale high-performing technical teams

• Executive Communication: Ability to convey complex technical concepts to senior government, investors, and board audiences

• Judgment and Accountability: Strong decision-making skills in high-consequence technical environments