Matthew Hertel
About Matthew Hertel
Matthew Hertel serves as the Deputy I&C Engineering Manager and I&C Design Lead at X-energy, where he oversees critical systems for the Xe-100 reactor. He has a strong academic background in Nuclear Engineering, holding a Ph.D. from Oregon State University, and has previously worked in various engineering roles across multiple organizations.
Current Role at X-energy
Matthew Hertel serves as the Deputy I&C Engineering Manager and I&C Design Lead at X-energy, a position he has held since 2022. In this role, he leads the design and configuration of instrumentation for the Xe-100 reactor and steam generator. He is responsible for the engineering management of critical systems, including the Reactor Protection System, Investment Protection System, and Distributed Control System. Hertel also engages with regulatory bodies such as the NRC in the US and CNSC in Canada to support reactor design and development tasks.
Previous Experience at X-energy
Prior to his current role, Matthew Hertel worked at X-energy in various capacities. He served as a Senior Nuclear I&C Engineer for six months in 2021, where he contributed to the development and analysis of plant control and protection algorithms for the Xe-100 primary system. He also worked as a Thermodynamics Analyst for three months in 2021. His involvement in these roles has provided him with extensive experience in nuclear instrumentation and control engineering.
Education and Expertise
Matthew Hertel holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nuclear Engineering from Oregon State University, where he studied from 2012 to 2020. He also earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering from Kansas State University, completing his studies from 2006 to 2012. Additionally, he studied Mechanical Engineering at Charles University in Prague as part of a study abroad program in 2011. His educational background equips him with a solid foundation in engineering principles relevant to his current work.
Research and Development Contributions
During his tenure at Oregon State University, Matthew Hertel was involved in research and development at the High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) from 2012 to 2017. He also worked as a Test Engineer and LabView Developer at the Stratified Flow Separate Effects Test Facility (SFSETF) for nine months in 2017-2018. His research includes the development of a novel MEMS thermal sensor array for Pebble Bed High-Temperature Gas Reactors (HTGRs), which is capable of detecting and correcting calibration drift in harsh environments.
Founding Hertel R&D LLC
Matthew Hertel is the founder of Hertel R&D LLC, established in 2020. This venture allows him to leverage his expertise in nuclear engineering and instrumentation to provide innovative solutions in the field. The company focuses on research and development initiatives that align with his professional background and interests.