Full-Time

HVAC Mechanical Design Engineer

II-V

Posted on 6/6/2026

X-energy

X-energy

1,001-5,000 employees

Develops SMR reactors and TRISO fuel

Compensation Overview

$77k - $195k/yr

North Bethesda, MD, USA

In Person

Category
Mechanical Engineering (2)
,
Required Skills
CAD
Risk Management
FEM/FEA
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related engineering discipline from an ABET accredited university.
  • Level II: Typically, three years of experience in a mechanical engineering role required (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience).
  • Level III: Typically, five years of experience in a mechanical engineering role required (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience).
  • Level IV: Typically, ten years of experience in a mechanical engineering role required (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience).
  • Level V: Typically, fifteen years of experience in a mechanical engineering role required (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience).
  • A master’s degree in engineering or related field may be in lieu of two years of experience.
  • A Ph.D. in engineering or related field may be in lieu of three years of experience.
  • Previous experience at X-energy exceeding performance standards may be in lieu of years of experience.
  • Typically, experience with mechanical process equipment design, procurement, installation, and/or operation is required.
  • Systems or Design Engineering experience in successful mechanical system development projects.
  • 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.
  • Knowledge of system requirements management, and verification.
  • Knowledge of Systems Engineering processes, as well as relevant aspects of nuclear power plant licensing, regulatory, quality, and safety requirements.
  • Technical proficiency in fundamentals of mechanical design for structural and fluidic components, mechanisms, or manufacturing & processing equipment.
Responsibilities
  • Design and develop mechanical systems and components: Understand how nuclear safety relates to system engineering and the work performed on a day-to-day occurrence.
  • Identify, collect, and document applicable requirements, interfaces, design basis and criteria by coordinating with key stakeholders/systems engineers and support identifying applicable industry codes and standards.
  • Create and maintain CAD-generated engineering models.
  • Perform computations and analyses for thermal and hydraulic systems as required to ensure SSCs can meet technical requirements.
  • Write and develop design documentation including, but not limited to, design basis documents, technical reports, calculations, design descriptions and drawings in accordance with applicable procedures.
  • Perform Systems Engineering processes for the designed mechanical systems and components: Demonstrate project management skills to effectively organize and lead external engineering partners.
  • Develop the technical content for and support the procurement of material, equipment, and services.
  • Review system engineering documentation from other systems for technical correctness and compliance with X-energy processes and procedures and participate in design reviews for other systems.
  • Actively support the safety culture and ensure integration of quality in all System Engineering processes by complying with the relevant requirements of the Quality Assurance Program.
  • Identify, document, report and manage system and project risks to ensure they are visible and mitigated accordingly.
  • Perform work in accordance with X-energy quality procedures for design and configuration management to ensure project quality requirements are met.
  • Maintain professional demeanor and behavior at all times in all forms of communication.
  • Lead the execution of the core tasks and responsibilities, listed in the Job Profile Task/Responsibilities section of this document, without close supervision and some latitude for independent judgment.
  • Develop mechanical/physical system design concepts, design and support development of processes to create structures, systems, and components (SSCs). Planning/structuring scope for the analyses required to assess aspects of the SSCs to ensure they can perform their intended functions and meet design requirements and specifications.
  • Provide independent reviews and acceptance reviews of engineering deliverables and data. Manage the system development including planning, monitoring, and controlling of the complete engineering effort through all development life cycle phases.
  • Manage design development leads and subcontractors to define system and subsystem functional and physical architecture, critical design parameters, and descriptive drawings. Oversee documentation to applicable requirements, interfaces, design basis and criteria by coordinating with key stakeholders/systems engineers and identifying applicable industry codes and standards. Have a thorough understanding of the requirements contained within industry codes and standards and the intent which is implied. Direct the planning for the analyses required to assess all aspects of the SSCs to ensure they can perform their intended functions and meet all technical specifications and requirements. Supervise performance of computations utilizing hand calculations and analytical tools for structural, thermal, hydraulic, and other scoping calculations as required to ensure SSCs can meet all technical requirements. Oversee procured items and associated documentation for acceptance and verify compliance of procured services and material with contract specifications.
  • Develop and manage implementation of engineering changes in accordance with approved procedures.
  • Provide feedback and guidance to more junior team members with the execution of the core tasks and responsibilities listed in the Job Profile Task/Responsibilities section of this document.
  • Lead small groups of engineers to solve complex technical problems and deliver high quality engineering work products on time and within budget.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by manager.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience designing and/or operating HVAC process equipment.

X-energy designs and develops advanced nuclear reactors and fuel, aiming to commercialize small modular reactors based on a Generation IV high-temperature gas-cooled pebble-bed design and its TRISO-X fuel. The reactor uses ceramic-coated TRISO fuel in pebbles within a modular, sealed unit that operates at high temperatures to generate electricity or process heat, with safety features baked into the fuel and design. It differentiates itself by pursuing a specific Generation IV high-temperature gas-cooled, pebble-bed, TRISO-X fuel approach in a modular platform backed by significant financing to move toward commercialization. The company’s goal is to bring cleaner, safer nuclear energy to the market by completing design, obtaining regulatory clearance, and deploying its SMR technology and fuel at commercial scale.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Rockville, Maryland

Founded

2009

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Dow Seadrift environmental approval removes a major permitting hurdle.[provided news]
  • The April 2026 IPO raised about $1.02 billion, strengthening liquidity.[provided news]
  • Commercial pipeline exceeds 11 gigawatts, supporting long-term licensing demand.[provided news]

What critics are saying

  • NRC safety review can still block or delay Dow construction.[provided news]
  • First commercial deployments are not expected until the early 2030s.[provided news]
  • Heavy capital needs and continued losses pressure future financing.[provided news]

What makes X-energy unique

  • Xe-100 is a pebble-bed, high-temperature gas-cooled SMR design.[1][3]
  • TRISO-X fuel creates integrated reactor-and-fuel economics.[1][2]
  • X-energy sells technology licenses, not nuclear plant ownership.[2]

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Benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

6%

1 year growth

2%

2 year growth

-2%
Yahoo Finance
Apr 10th, 2026
Fluor secures X-Energy nuclear deal, eyes $400B US energy buildout

Fluor has agreed to work on X-Energy's advanced nuclear project at Dow's UCC Seadrift Operations in Texas, strengthening its position in the nuclear energy sector. The engineering and construction firm will provide strategic planning, feasibility assessments and cost control services for the project, which will deploy four 80-megawatt small modular reactor units. The project is part of the US Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Programme, aimed at accelerating commercialisation of advanced nuclear technology. X-Energy, a private company developing high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, recently filed to go public. Fluor is expanding its nuclear portfolio alongside US plans to quadruple new nuclear capacity to 400 gigawatts. The company previously invested in NuScale Power in 2011 and was recently selected for Centrus Energy's uranium enrichment facility in Ohio.

Hydrocarbon Processing
Apr 7th, 2026
Fluor signs contract with x-energy for advanced nuclear project at Dow's Seadrift facility in Texas (U.S.).

Fluor signs contract with x-energy for advanced nuclear project at Dow's Seadrift facility in Texas (U.S.). 4/7/2026 12:00:00 PM Fluor announced that it has entered into a contract with X-energy to support the company's proposed advanced nuclear project at Dow's UCC Seadrift Operations in south Texas. Under the agreement, Fluor will initially deliver Front-End Loading Stage 2 (FEL-2) services. FEL-2 focuses on project definition, strategic planning, feasibility assessment, cost control and risk mitigation. Fluor will recognize the undisclosed contract value for this initial portion of work in the first quarter of 2026. The X-energy project proposes to develop four, 80-megawatt small modular reactor (SMR) units to supply Dow's Seadrift site with safe, reliable, carbon-free electricity and industrial steam, replacing aging energy and steam infrastructure. The project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), which accelerates the commercialization of advanced nuclear technologies through cost-shared partnerships with industry. A construction permit application was submitted in March 2025 and is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. "X-energy's technology offers a powerful pathway for small modular reactors to deliver safe, reliable and fit-for-purpose baseload power in an industrial setting," said Pierre Bechelany, Fluor's Business Group President of Energy Solutions. "With eight decades of nuclear experience, Fluor brings the proven expertise and disciplined execution required to help advance this landmark project." X-energy was selected by the DOE in 2020 to develop, license and build its XE-100 advanced SMR and a first TRISO-X fuel fabrication facility. Since then, the company has completed engineering and preliminary reactor design, advanced development and licensing of its fuel facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The Seadrift project is expected to become the first grid-scale advanced nuclear reactor deployed to serve an industrial facility in North America. Dow's UCC Seadrift Operations span 4,700 acres and produce more than 4 billion pounds of materials annually for applications including food packaging, footwear, wire and cable insulation, solar cell components, and medical and pharmaceutical packaging.

Data Centre Dynamics Ltd
Mar 24th, 2026
Amazon-backed nuclear SMR firm X-energy files for IPO.

Amazon-backed nuclear SMR firm X-energy files for IPO. Aims to deploy more than 5GW of power by 2039 March 24, 2026 Amazon-backed small modular reactor (SMR) company X-energy has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the US. 29 Jan 2026 A small nuclear revolution is coming to a data center near you The nuclear company, which has received a direct investment from Amazon, plans to list its Class A common stock on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "XE". The company did not divulge the number of shares it intends to offer as part of the IPO or the price range. X-energy is developing the Xe-100 advanced SMR, a pebble-bed, high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. Fuel pebbles - about the size of a billiard ball - power the reactor, with each pebble containing thousands of uranium fuel particles. The company's first four-unit Xe-100 plant is planned at Dow's Seadrift Operations site in Texas and is under review by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Amazon has directly invested in the company and secured the option to deploy more than 5GW of Xe-100 projects in the US by 2039, starting with the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility in Washington state. When constructed, the facility is expected to comprise three 320MW sections to make up the complete 960MW plant. The first 320MW block will comprise four of X-energy's 80MWe (electric) and 200MWt (thermal) Xe-100 SMRs. Following the initial phase, the partners will have the option to expand to 12 units, reaching 960MW of capacity. Construction at the site is expected to commence by the end of the decade, with operations to start sometime in the 2030s. Amazon struck the initial deal with Energy Northwest and X-energy to develop the site last year. X-energy also plans to deploy 6GW in the UK with Centrica. Last week, the company announced that it would deploy SMRs in Pennsylvania and across the PJM power market, along with independent power provider Talen Energy. The company is also constructing a US-based facility to produce TRISO-X fuel, designed to deliver scalable, safer, and reliable power for industrial and energy applications. Last year, the company signed an agreement with South Korea's Doosan Enerbility and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. to accelerate the deployment of new SMRs in the US. As part of the collaboration, the companies aim to mobilize up to $50 billion in public and private investments for Xe-100 projects and to expand SMR supply chain capacity to support its growth. To fund the development of the SMR, the company has raised more than $700 million to date, with the latest round led by Amazon. Amazon is not the only major tech firm to back SMRs over the last two years. A swathe of other data center operators and hyperscalers have supported the technology. Notable examples include Google, Data4, Oracle, Switch, and Equinix. More in north america.

Postmedia Network
Mar 21st, 2026
Nuclear energy firm X-Energy files for US IPO despite war.

Nuclear energy firm X-Energy files for US IPO despite war. X-Energy Inc. filed for a US initial public offering, becoming the latest firm to advance public listing plans despite turmoil in the Middle East souring risk sentiment. Bloomberg News Bailey Lipschultz Published Mar 21, 2026 Last updated 3 hours ago Article content (Bloomberg) - X-Energy Inc. filed for a US initial public offering, becoming the latest firm to advance public listing plans despite turmoil in the Middle East souring risk sentiment. Article content The Rockville, Maryland-based company had a net loss of roughly $390 million on revenue of $94 million, not including grants, last year, compared with a net loss of $126 million on revenue of $84 million a year earlier, according to a Friday filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Article content Advertisement 1 Story continues below Article content The filing comes as fears about an escalation of the war in Iran boosted oil prices and hammered stocks and bonds after CBS reported the Pentagon is preparing to deploy ground forces into Iran. Article content Top Stories Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content X-Energy designs next-generation nuclear reactor technologies and makes advanced nuclear fuel. Its reactors use so-called Triso pellets, or tristructural isotropic, poppyseed-sized uranium beads that burn hotter and longer than conventional fuel. Article content The company raised roughly $700 million late last year in a deal led by Jane Street with participation from investors including ARK Invest, Galvanize, Point72, and Ares Management funds. A deal to go public through a merger with a blank-check firm backed by private equity company Ares Management was called off in 2023. Article content X-energy is using its small modular reactor and TRISO-X fuel in projects with Dow Inc., Amazon.com Inc., and Centrica. Article content The offering is being led by JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, Jefferies Financial Group Inc., and Moelis & Co. The company will be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol XE. Article content Advertisement 1

Yahoo Finance
Mar 17th, 2026
IHI and X-energy sign nuclear reactor component MoU to deepen US-Japan supply chain ties

IHI Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding with X-energy Reactor Company to explore commercial-scale manufacturing of nuclear-grade components for X-energy's Xe-100 advanced small modular reactors. The agreement strengthens US-Japan cooperation on nuclear supply chains, combining IHI's high-temperature reactor manufacturing expertise with X-energy's deployment pipeline. The deal appears incremental rather than a major near-term earnings driver for IHI, which recently reported rising net income despite flat sales for the nine months to December 2025. Analysts project revenue of ¥1,734.8 billion and earnings of ¥103.1 billion by 2028, implying a fair value of ¥4,345 per share. The collaboration represents a potential new direction in IHI's energy portfolio, though key risks remain around aerospace spare parts demand and currency fluctuations.