Nicolas Quintanar
About Nicolas Quintanar
Nicolas Quintanar serves as the Lead for Plant Controls and Automation at X-energy, where he oversees the development of control solutions for advanced nuclear power systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from Texas A&M University and has extensive experience in both academic and industrial settings.
Current Role at X-energy
Nicolas Quintanar currently serves as the Lead for Plant Controls and Automation at X-energy. He has held this position since 2023, focusing on developing Electrical Instrumentation and Control solutions for advanced nuclear power systems. His work includes projects related to High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors and Lunar Fission Surface Power reactors. Quintanar is also involved in a digital twin project for a molten salt reactor, where he oversees the qualification phase of solution software.
Previous Experience at X-energy
Before his current role, Nicolas Quintanar worked at X-energy as a Senior Analyst in Nuclear Systems Thermodynamics from 2021 to 2023. In this capacity, he contributed to the analysis and development of thermodynamic systems within nuclear energy applications. His experience at X-energy has equipped him with a strong foundation in nuclear systems and advanced control technologies.
Education and Expertise
Nicolas Quintanar earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nuclear Engineering from Texas A&M University, where he studied from 2015 to 2019. He also holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mathematics and Physics from Manchester University, completed in 2015. His academic background supports his expertise in developing control solutions for both terrestrial and space reactor concepts.
Professional Background
Quintanar has a diverse professional background, having worked in various roles across multiple organizations. He was a Graduate Research Assistant and Graduate Teaching Assistant at Texas A&M University from 2015 to 2019. He also served as a Senior Scientist & Engineer at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory from 2020 to 2021. Prior to that, he held several positions at Manchester University, including Physical Exercise and Recreation Center Assistant and Spanish Lab Assistant, from 2013 to 2015. Additionally, he worked at Halliburton as a Senior R&D Engineer in Advanced Controls Systems from 2019 to 2020.
Key Projects and Initiatives
In his current role, Nicolas Quintanar leads a team focused on developing innovative control solutions for advanced nuclear power systems. He is actively engaged in projects that involve high-temperature gas-cooled reactors and lunar fission surface power reactors. His work on the digital twin project for a molten salt reactor demonstrates his commitment to advancing nuclear technology and enhancing reactor performance through modern engineering practices.