Stephen Vaughn
About Stephen Vaughn
Stephen Vaughn is a Licensing Engineer at X-energy, specializing in risk-informed decision-making within the nuclear energy sector. He holds a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and has extensive experience in nuclear operations and regulatory roles.
Work at X-energy
Stephen Vaughn has been employed at X-energy as a Licensing Engineer since 2021. In this role, he is involved in the licensing processes for nuclear energy projects, contributing to the development of innovative technologies. He works in Rockville, MD, where he leads small technical teams to create effective policies and programs within the nuclear energy sector.
Education and Expertise
Stephen Vaughn holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University, which he completed from 2003 to 2005. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Reliability Engineering from the University of Maryland College Park, studying from 2010 to 2014. His educational background is complemented by a Bachelor of Science in English from the United States Naval Academy, where he studied from 1996 to 2000.
Background
Stephen Vaughn has a diverse professional background in the nuclear sector. He served as a Surface Warfare Officer (Nuclear) in the U.S. Navy from 2000 to 2007, with assignments in locations such as San Diego, CA, Bremerton, WA, Charleston, SC, and Annapolis, MD. Following his military service, he worked at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in various capacities, including Reactor Operations Engineer and Reliability and Risk Analyst, from 2007 to 2017.
Achievements in Nuclear Reactor Technology
Stephen Vaughn contributed to the development of the Xe-100 design, which is a carbon-free nuclear reactor technology. His work focuses on risk-informed and evidence-based decision-making, ensuring predictable outcomes in engineering projects within the nuclear energy field.