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Small Modular Reactor Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

CSG

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

$92K - $126K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer responsible for translating complex nuclear component designs into manufacturable products for the clients small modular reactor program. Location:

X Energy LLC

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

$92K - $126K/yr

X-energy is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer responsible for translating complex nuclear component designs into manufacturable products for our small modular reactor program. This role ...

X Energy LLC

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Rockville, MD

$92K - $126K/yr

X-energy is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer responsible for translating complex nuclear component designs into manufacturable products for our small modular reactor program. This role ...

X Energy LLC

Nuclear Engineer, IV

Rockville, MD · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Reactor core design and analysis. * Radiation shielding design and analysis. * Nuclear fuel ... small modular reactors, microreactors, and nuclear facilities. Location: 530 Gaither Road ...

X Energy LLC

Nuclear Engineer, IV

Rockville, MD · Hybrid

$100K - $120K/yr

Reactor core design and analysis. * Radiation shielding design and analysis. * Nuclear fuel ... small modular reactors, microreactors, and nuclear facilities. Location: 530 Gaither Road ...

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Small Modular Reactor information

What is a Small Modular Reactor job?

A Small Modular Reactor (SMR) job involves working on the design, development, construction, operation, or regulation of SMRs, which are advanced nuclear reactors that are smaller and more flexible than traditional nuclear plants. Professionals in this field may include engineers, scientists, safety analysts, project managers, and regulatory specialists. These roles focus on improving reactor efficiency, ensuring safety, and advancing clean energy solutions. SMR jobs exist in government agencies, private companies, and research institutions working to develop next-generation nuclear technology.

What are some typical daily responsibilities for a Small Modular Reactor Engineer?

As a Small Modular Reactor Engineer, your daily tasks might include performing system analyses, monitoring reactor performance, reviewing safety protocols, and collaborating with other engineering disciplines to troubleshoot technical challenges. You may also be involved in preparing regulatory reports, overseeing construction or installation activities, and participating in design reviews or risk assessments. Working closely with project managers, safety specialists, and government regulators is common to ensure all reactor operations meet stringent safety and quality standards. This role offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment, with frequent opportunities to apply technical expertise to innovative, real-world energy solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Small Modular Reactor position, and why are they important?

To excel in a Small Modular Reactor Engineer role, candidates need a solid background in nuclear engineering, mechanical or electrical engineering, and strong analytical abilities, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with nuclear reactor simulation software, regulatory compliance tools, and safety certification (such as a Professional Engineer license or NRC qualification) is highly valued. Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills are key for coordinating with multidisciplinary teams and ensuring regulatory standards are met. These qualifications are crucial to designing, operating, and maintaining advanced nuclear systems safely and efficiently within a regulated environment.

What are popular job titles related to Small Modular Reactor jobs in Washington? For Small Modular Reactor jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Small Modular Reactor jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Small Modular Reactor jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Small Modular Reactor jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Small Modular Reactor job openings:
Small Modular Reactor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Small Modular Reactor job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Locum Tenens, 83% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Reactor Core Mechanical Engineer

Ocean Atomics LLC

Bethesda, MD • On-site

$110K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

The ocean is the largest undeveloped frontier on earth - and the next chapter of abundant energy will be written at sea. We're building the infrastructure to power it.
About Ocean Atomics (OA)
Ocean Atomics is an American company designing, licensing, and assembling a standardized nuclear electric power plant and the surrounding support systems for maritime applications. We will install these plants on any vessel built to our nuclear-ready standards, and will provide end-to-end sustainment in our planned nuclear lifecycle dockyard. We will help develop the licensed operators to unlock this new capability for your energy intensive application at sea. To move fast and to lead the creation of this new market, we are leveraging the compact, proven systems enabled by water-cooled reactors.
Our mission
Scale nuclear energy. Power generations.
Our vision
A maritime commons thriving with abundant, economical, modern, and safe nuclear-powered activity - built, serviced, and staffed by re-industrialized American shipyards and people.
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Reactor Core Mechanical Engineer to help us scale nuclear energy at sea. You will design and analyze the mechanical components and internals of the reactor core, with a focus on discerning and optimizing operation in dynamic marine environments. Flow-induced vibration, ship motions, and shock loading reshape structural integrity implications across the core's service life. Your analysis is what separates a reactor designed for a fixed terrestrial foundation from one engineered to operate reliably in maritime conditions.
This is a role we're hiring at multiple levels. The work is shared across levels; scope and accountability scales with experience.
The ideal candidate is genuinely curious about how to improve upon 60+ years of nuclear reactors at sea and is uniquely competent in tackling the core mechanical engineering challenges required to design, license, and produce a reactor system that allows commercial reactors to unlock the potential of the ocean.
What You'll Do
  • Design and analyze core mechanical components and internals for structural integrity, fatigue, and wear across operating, transient, and accident conditions including those unique to the maritime domain.
  • Evaluate flow-induced vibration of fuel assemblies, control elements, and internals, and develop design features to mitigate wear and dynamic effects in marine operational load profiles.
  • Assess the effects of ship motions and dynamic/shock loading on core mechanical performance and structural margins.
  • Coordinate with thermal-hydraulics, fuels, and structural teams to integrate mechanical design with flow, thermal, and neutronic requirements.
  • Document mechanical analyses, design basis, and qualification results, and support design reviews, testing campaigns, and regulatory documentation.

At more senior levels you will additionally:
  • Lead system-level decisions on core mechanical architecture and material selection.
  • Mentor newer engineers and review their analyses.
  • Interface directly with our regulatory team on NRC-facing documentation packages.
  • Drive cross-team trade studies across thermal-hydraulics, fuels, and structural domains.
What You Bring
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical or nuclear engineering required
  • Experience in mechanical design and structural analysis of reactor core components or internals.
  • Proficiency with finite element analysis and structural/vibration tools (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS, or equivalent).
  • Working knowledge of flow-induced vibration, fatigue, and dynamic/shock loading analysis.
  • Strong grounding in solid mechanics, materials behavior, and structural dynamics

Preferred
  • Background in naval architecture, marine engineering, or offshore energy.1
  • Experience with PWRs, first-of-a-kind reactor designs, or small modular reactor (SMR) programs.
  • Advanced degree in mechanical or nuclear engineering.

Don't meet every bullet? We'd still like to hear from you. If you're excited by the mission and most of this resonates, apply.
Export control notice
This role involves access to information subject to U.S. export control laws, including unclassified nuclear technology governed by the U.S. Department of Energy under 10 CFR Part 810. Depending on a candidate's status, access may require DOE authorization, which Ocean Atomics may apply for. Any offer is contingent on your ability to work in compliance with these requirements. We evaluate all applicants regardless of citizenship or national origin, except where required by law.
Why this matters
Every industry on Earth needs scalable, clean energy, and the ocean is the ideal place to unlock it. Joining Ocean Atomics means building real, lasting infrastructure - the kind that powers generations. The world needs abundant energy. Let's make it happen.
Ocean Atomics LLC is an equal opportunity employer.
We are committed to a workplace free of discrimination and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations; if you need an accommodation during the application process, contact info@oceanatomics.com.

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