Project Development Engineer

Department: Engineering

Location: DC - Chevy Chase, MD, Greater Houston

Employment Type: FullTime

Company Overview

Blue Energy’s mission is to unlock energy abundance, energy affordability, energy security, and turn-key decarbonization by developing the fastest path to deploying new nuclear MWs at scale. We are utilizing shipyard manufacturing supply chains and techniques from offshore oil and wind to reduce the cost of nuclear plants by over 60% and the manufacturing timeline to 24 months. Blue Energy is a platform technology that makes use of the latest NRC-approved reactors and is in negotiations with existing nuclear and industrial sites, enabling a much faster regulatory pathway to deploy our first unit. With our innovative centralized shipyard manufacturing approach, we can put nuclear power on a cost-reduction learning curve akin to wind, solar, and lithium-ion batteries.

Role Summary

The Project Development Engineer will support the technical and regulatory development of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) sites and their associated supporting infrastructure, including gas turbine systems that complement the nuclear BOP. The role spans site assessment, conceptual design, permitting, and interconnection planning, ensuring projects are technically feasible, cost-effective, and compliant.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Development Support:

  • Conduct site evaluation and feasibility studies for SMR projects and supporting gas infrastructure.

  • Build out and manage design parameter standards for Blue Energy plant designs. Create a manual that all employees can look to for standard inputs during the early-stage development engineering process.

  • Assist in preparing RFP responses.

• Engineering Analysis & Design:

  • Develop conceptual site layouts, plant configurations, and preliminary designs for SMR projects.

  • Evaluate civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical requirements, including generator tie-ins, switchyards, water supply and interconnection to the grid.

  • Conceptual Design and assessment of supporting gas infrastructure, including pipelines, valves, and interconnections.

  • Prepare preliminary/ROM cost estimates, capital expenditure models, and constructability reviews.

• Regulatory & Permitting Coordination:

  • Support initial energy infrastructure permitting efforts and Red Flag Reviews.

  • Collaborate with regulators, utilities, and stakeholders to address technical, permitting, and operational requirements.

• Interconnection & Grid Integration:

  • Coordinate with transmission owners and utilities on SMR / gas generator tie lines, substations, and grid interconnection studies.

  • Ensure gas infrastructure design meets operational, safety, and regulatory standards.

  • Become proficient in behind the meter vs front of the meter connection and work with Commercial team on ideal connection for projects in the Blue Energy pipeline.

• Technical Documentation & Risk Assessment:

  • Prepare engineering reports, technical memoranda, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

  • Identify engineering, constructability, site logistics and transportation, operational, and regulatory risks, and recommend mitigation strategies.

  • Support internal decision making on whether to pursue a site opportunity.

  • Interact as necessary with local experts and potential sponsors to understand potential risks and opportunities for the project in each particular location

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or Energy Engineering (Master’s preferred).

• 3–5+ years of experience in nuclear power, CCGT and energy infrastructure project development/engineering.

• Experience with SMR technology and supporting energy infrastructure (e.g., gas pipelines, HV Transmission) is strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of transmission interconnection, gas distribution systems and water supply infrastructure.

• Familiarity with nuclear, CCGT and energy infrastructure permitting, regulations, and compliance requirements.

• Proficiency in CAD, GIS, and engineering modeling software.

We look forward to your application and helping foster an era of safe, clean, affordable, and abundant energy.

Blue Energy is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this or other roles at Blue Energy now or in the future.