Maryland Nuclear Innovator X-Energy Fuels Local Economy With 525 New Jobs

Maryland’s clean energy sector just got a major boost. Nuclear innovator X-energy announced plans to create 525 new jobs over the next six years, while keeping 260 existing positions at their new Gaithersburg headquarters. That’s nearly 800 jobs total. Not too shabby for a state trying to become a clean energy powerhouse.

The company isn’t just hiring—they’re expanding big time. X-energy is consolidating operations into a massive 125,000-square-foot headquarters at Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg. They’re also opening a 90,000-square-foot test and training center in Frederick. This expansion represents a significant commitment to Maryland’s innovation ecosystem. Their projects include developing the first commercial Xe-100 plant with Dow Chemical in Texas. Guess they needed the space.

These aren’t your average jobs either. We’re talking nuclear engineers, plant technicians, project managers, and safety analysts. Some positions, like nuclear safety managers, come with salaries between $180,000 and $227,700. Yeah, you read that right. The company’s hiring spree covers everything from experienced pros to newcomers.

State officials are practically giddy. Governor Wes Moore and Montgomery County bigwigs have thrown their support behind the expansion, touting how it’ll make Maryland more competitive. Public agencies are coordinating incentives to make sure X-energy stays put. Smart move.

Training is a big deal for these folks. The Frederick facility will serve as a hub for workforce development, focusing on safety and advanced technology. They’re partnering with Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation to build talent pipelines. Because nuclear power isn’t exactly something you want to learn on the fly.

This expansion isn’t just about jobs. X-energy’s focus on advanced nuclear reactor and fuel technologies aims to address climate change through clean energy generation. Their investment supports R&D that could lead to breakthroughs in the nuclear sector. This aligns with the growing need for SMR development as an emerging solution for stable baseload power generation.

For Maryland, this means becoming a regional clean energy innovation center. More cleantech companies might follow. More jobs. More growth. The nuclear future looks bright—and apparently, it’s happening in Maryland.