Chief Engineer
BWX Technologies
Lynchburg, VA · Posted October 18, 2026
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Where Lynchburg, VA ranks
Where Lynchburg, VA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best college towns for junior jobs in the Southeast49% · of 64
- #1Best cities for junior jobs in the Southeast47% · of 87
- #1Best cities for junior jobs in Virginia47% · of 26
- #2Best college towns for junior jobs in the Mid-Atlantic49% · of 55
- #2Best cities for junior jobs in the Mid-Atlantic47% · of 85
- #15Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the Southeast5% · of 77
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
- Most requested AI skills in engineering jobs #1 AI tools in daily work (6.1%)
- AI tools named most often in engineering jobs #1 Claude (1.7%)
- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 85 open chief engineer listings that state pay, the middle half runs $101,500 to $228,000 and the median is $155,500.
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How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among architectural and engineering managers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for architectural and engineering managers: 3% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
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About the job
At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. A U.S.-based company, BWXT is a Fortune 1000 and Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With more than 7,800 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers. Our company supplies precision manufactured components, services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry across four continents. Our joint ventures provide environmental restoration and operations management at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. BWXT’s technology is driving advances in medical radioisotope production in North America and microreactors for various defense and space applications. For more information, visit www.bwxt.com . Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram .
Welcome to BWXT We believe in empowering our employees and cultivating a dynamic workplace that fosters growth and collaboration. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, you'll find opportunities to challenge yourself, learn from seasoned experts, and contribute to nuclear innovation. We require a diverse range of skills to support our work in the markets that drive our business and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and life stages who are passionate about making a difference.
Position Overview: The Chief Engineer, working in close coordination with the Program Director, Lead Systems Engineer, and Engineering disciplines will lead the development of a novel nuclear reactor and plant from product development through delivery and testing. The Project Chief Engineer will be the technical design authority for the program, as delegated by the Director of Engineering, and will collaborate with and be supported by a multi-disciplinary team of engineers. This role requires a broad technical background with experience in the nuclear field, strong leadership skills, and the ability to forge effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, and partners.
Location:
On-site in Lynchburg, Virginia
Your Day to Day as a Chief Engineer:
Responsible for the technical integrity of the reactor and plant design.
Define key technical approaches.
Facilitate technical problem resolution among various disciplines and stakeholders.
Work with Engineering management to ensure high quality engineering work products.
Work with Program Management, Systems Engineering, and Quality Assurance to identify technical and quality requirements and synthesize innovative solutions that meet the requirements.
Work with the Systems Engineering, Design and Testing organizations as the verification plans are developed to ensure the adequacy of the test program.
Facilitate the interface between the manufacturing, procurement, and design organizations.
Lead the review and disposition of non-conformances during manufacturing and assembly activities.
Review engineering deliverables for overall technical adequacy and cohesiveness.
Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and partners in the development of the nuclear reactor plant product.
Work with potential vendors and perform technical oversight of vendor activities.
Required Qualifications:
A bachelor's degree in engineering or Physics is required.
A minimum of fifteen (15) years of relevant work experience is required.
Must have demonstrated experience in nuclear reactor design.
Experience leading technical teams for medium and large projects is required.
Must have superior written and verbal communication skills up, down and across organizations, both internally and externally.
Must have strong technical decision-making skills.
Must be able to work within a fast-paced development environment with the demonstrated ability to be flexible.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Project is required.
Travel (~20%) is required.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense (DOD) security clearance, whichever is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience leading technical teams from the early design phase through product testing and deployment.
Familiarity with systems engineering methods and principles.
Experience working in accordance with a 10 CFR 50 Appendix B / NQA-1 Quality program.
What We Offer:
Competitive salary and benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.
Flexible work schedules and paid time off to promote a healthy work-life balance.
Professional development opportunities, including mentorship programs and sponsorship for continuing education.
An inclusive atmosphere that celebrates new perspectives and supports collaboration between different generations.
The chance to be part of a mission-driven organization making a positive impact on the future of energy.
Opportunities for continuous learning and training to grow throughout your career!
Pay: $112,000 - $177,000
The base salary range for this position in Virginia (US-VA) at the start of employment is expected to be between $112,000 and $177,000 per year. However, the base salary offered is based on local job market factors, and may vary further depending on factors specific to the selected job candidate, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided at such time the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, the selected job candidate will be employed 'at-will,’ unless employed at a location and in a position subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The company further reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment, compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and other market factors.
As a federal government contractor, BWX Technologies, Inc. and any subsidiaries, affiliates and related entities (“BWXT” or the “Company”) complies with all federal, state, and local laws and customer requirements regarding health and safety protocols. As such, all BWXT new hires will be required to adhere to applicable Company health and safety requirements within the workplace as a condition of employment.
Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Position requires U.S. citizenship with (no dual citizenship) ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance which involves an extensive criminal and financial background investigation, drug test and previous employment reference verifications.
BWXT is committed to the concept of Equal Employment Opportunity. We have established procedures to ensure that all personnel actions such as recruitment, compensation, career development, benefits, company-sponsored training and social recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, protected veteran or other protected status.
BWX Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (BWXT) is not responsible for and does not accept any liability for fees or other costs associated with resumes or candidates presented by recruiters or employment agencies, unless a binding, written recruitment agreement between BWXT and the recruiter or agency exists prior to the presentation of candidates or resumes to BWXT and includes the specific services, job openings, and fees to be paid (“Agreement”). BWXT may consider any candidate for whom a recruiter or agency has submitted an unsolicited resume and explicitly reserves the right to hire such candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency unless an Agreement is in place prior to presentation and such Agreement explicitly encompasses the job opening for which such fees or costs are sought. An email, verbal or other informal contact with any person within BWXT will not create a binding agreement. Agencies or recruiters without an Agreement are directed not to contact any hiring managers of BWXT with recruiting inquiries or resumes. Recruiters and agencies interested in partnering with BWXT may contact BWXT’s Talent Acquisition team at talent_acquisition@bwxt.com.