Director, Value Engineering and Product Management (Rockville)

Overview

The Director, Value Engineering and Product Management at X-energy will work cross-functionally across Project Controls, Engineering, Procurement / Supply Chain, Construction, Operations and Project Finance/Commercial Development. This role informs engineering design and technical decisions in real time by providing cost and value data and implications, enabling the organization to make smart design choices based on trade-offs between cost and value, efficiency, and between CAPEX and OPEX to optimize whole‑life value of X-energy products and projects.

A major part of this role is to work with Engineering to identify and constructively challenge: over-engineering, excessive conservatism, redundant scope, complex interfaces, and low-value requirements. The role serves as the voice of the customer within projects, enabling engineering teams to consider short- and long-term cost and schedule implications in design decisions. The Director will build the connective tissue between disparate parts of the organization and deliver fast, usable cost estimates that support trade-off decisions. The role will establish the framework, tools, processes, and governance that enable rapid cost/value estimates in real time and foster a culture that uses them to inform design paths and megaproject execution.

This position directly influences design path decisions, portfolio outcomes, and the successful delivery of first-of-a-kind and nth-of-a-kind megaprojects.

Responsibilities

• Connect finance, commercial development, and engineering around a shared understanding of project costs, value drivers, and trade-offs.
• Lead the development and implementation of cost control systems, plans, and procedures across project portfolios; build and lead a rapid cost estimating framework to evaluate design trade-offs in real time.
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, and forecasts; identify variances, risks, and opportunities; prepare detailed cost reports, dashboards, and forecasts for leadership and stakeholders; conduct variance analysis and earned value performance reporting.
• Serve as the voice of the customer within project teams, translating technical decisions into cost and schedule impacts and ensuring cost/value implications are visible at the point of decision.
• Embed within the engineering organization to build relationships, understand design challenges, and encourage the use of cost/value estimating as a decision-making tool.
• Champion a cost-conscious engineering culture and enable faster, smarter decision-making through rapid estimates.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, finance, or related field; a range of educational backgrounds may fit if accompanied by relevant experience.
• 10–15+ years of experience in cost estimating, project controls, or value engineering, with deep megaproject experience (ideally $500M+ CAPEX projects in energy, infrastructure, construction, or industrial sectors).
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, earned value management (EVM), and financial reporting.
• Proficiency in SAP, Oracle, or equivalent ERP systems; expert use of Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and communicate financial implications; strategic thinker with strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Entrepreneurial self-starter with the ability to envision the next horizon and drive the organization to realization.

Location, Travel, and Hours

Location: 530 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD

Travel: 10%

Work Site: 4 days a week in office

Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday

Compensation

The posted salary range is $220,000 – $240,000 and may vary based on office location, cost of living, and individual qualifications. The compensation includes base salary plus an annual short-term incentive, with details determined by scope of responsibility and achievement of goals. Benefits and eligibility details follow applicable state law.

Benefits and Equal Opportunity

X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package including a 401(k) with employer match, Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy. X Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. X Energy participates in E-Verify. Right to Work information and E-Verify resources are available at the links below:

Right To Work Link:

E-Verify Participation Link:

About X-energy

X-energy is delivering the next generation of carbon-free energy by reinventing nuclear power. We pursue a cleaner planet while providing reliable power. We are committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment.