I Built My Nuclear Technology Career in Lynchburg, VA
Lynchburg, VA, has been a power player in the nuclear technology space for 70 years, dating to the opening of the Babcock & Wilcox facility in 1955. The company, now known as BWX Technologies (BWXT), played a major role in creating the reactor for the world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship.
BWXT continues to maintain its headquarters in Lynchburg, as does Framatome, which designs, manufactures and services nuclear power plants.
In addition, there are dozens of industry support companies throughout the region, making Lynchburg, VA, one of the leading nuclear technology clusters in the U.S. As a result, thousands of people in the area are employed in the nuclear field. Ahead, hear from two people who share what they love about working in the nuclear technology field and living in Lynchburg, VA.
Michelle Lee
Plant Manager at BWXT’s Lynchburg Technology Center (LTC)
How did you get started at the LTC?
I was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN, then went to college at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, where I graduated with a degree in chemistry. I worked for 16 years at Nuclear Fuel Services, a BWXT subsidiary, in Tennessee before coming to Lynchburg in 2021. I participated in a BWXT leadership program, and it helped me realize there are other opportunities for growth throughout the company. BWXT realizes the need to get different talent at different sites and allows employees to develop in doing that.
What is your role?
We support our production facilities in trouble-shooting any kind of component or material anomaly or any other area of concern. We also serve as a middle ground between innovation and production. We can handle radioactive material and perform research and development work on material ahead of it going to the next step of full-blown product-line development and production.
What do you like about working at BWXT?
All the positions I’ve had at BWXT really helped train me and provide me with the skills I need for this current position and beyond. I had six different positions before coming to Lynchburg, and each one was in a different discipline. There was something from each of those positions that I was able to learn and take with me.
Why do you enjoy about living in Lynchburg, VA?
I like the size of it. When I go out, I’ll almost always see someone I know. I like the sense of community here. People make eye contact and say hello. I’m married with two children, and we had to re-establish roots. All four of us have been welcomed and well-received as individuals and as a family. I thought our son would want to leave the area when he started college, but he chose to stay and go to the University of Lynchburg. That says a lot about how he felt about the area.
Why should people in nuclear technology consider a job in Lynchburg, VA?
At BWXT, the opportunities relative to nuclear engineering are almost endless. You get the opportunity to work on an existing product line, where you can learn about the industry and the process. But you also have the opportunity to be on the front end of research and development, so you can choose where you apply your nuclear engineering degree, what you want to learn more about, and how you want to implement all those things that you know.
Darren Wood
Director of Engineering at Framatome
How did you get started at Framatome?
I’m from Bristol, TN, and went to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I was intrigued by physics and engineering and received a nuclear engineering scholarship. That’s what sent me down this path. I joined Framatome in 2003 as principal engineer in our repair and replacement organization.
What is your role now?
I lead a team of engineers, including mechanical, civil, electrical and aerospace. When I took this role, the senior vice president asked me to put a sign beside my computer that said “technical conscious.” That’s what we are. We’re the critical-thinking piece. There is something about the rigor and the quality for how we have to approach our work. We cannot tolerate failure. As engineers, our goal, first and foremost, is health and safety.
Why do you enjoy working at Framatome?
The quality of the people and the relationships. This is not just a transactional job. We want to create a workplace where people are excited about coming here each day and are engaged. They’ll hunker down with you when we’re going through the fire and share high-fives when we complete the project. It’s a good place with good people.
What is something people might not know about Framatome?
Because we’re a nuclear company, universities will ask if they should start a nuclear engineering program to support us. But these power plants are still about turning turbines, moving water through the pipes and boiling water to make steam, so we have more mechanical and civil engineers than nuclear. We need them all.
What do you enjoy about living in Lynchburg?
I’m an outdoorsy person, and we’re at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Blue Ridge Parkway is right in our backyard. We have the James River coming through town. My stress relief is mountain biking, and there is a multitude of mountain biking and hiking trails around Lynchburg. It provides a great work-life balance. Lynchburg also has an abundance of urban trails that are perfect for flat bike rides, runs or walks.
Why should people in the nuclear technology field consider a job in Lynchburg, VA?
The quality of life here is wonderful. It’s a great place to raise a family. The cost of living is low. Homes and property are affordable. My commute takes about 12 minutes, 15 if I hit a few red lights. Also, the quality of the people you work with on a day-to-day basis. I enjoy the professionalism and the technical, critical thought of the people at Framatome and how we work together to solve problems.
This article is sponsored by the City of Lynchburg offices of Economic Development & Tourism and Communications & Public Engagement.