Former Microsoft, Tesla engineer joins The Nuclear Co. in Columbia

A Midlands nuclear construction company has added to its executive team with the hiring of a former Microsoft and Tesla engineer.

The Nuclear Co., which is leading fleet-scale deployment of nuclear power across America and pioneering the modernization of nuclear construction, has hired Microsoft and Tesla engineering veteran Owen Lloyd as vice president, software engineering, according to a news release.

Lloyd spent more than 16 years at Microsoft, where, as senior director of engineering, he oversaw the expansive team of engineers developing software for the heralded Surface line of laptops and tablets, according to the release. He also worked closely with large suppliers including Intel and Qualcomm, bringing strong experience with complex supply chains like those involved in nuclear construction.

Despite the need for nuclear’s firm, clean baseload power, the biggest challenges facing the industry, which creates high-paying head-of-household jobs, are that nuclear projects are almost always over budget and behind schedule, the release stated. Lloyd will lead a team of AI/ML software engineers, data scientists and product specialists to develop a pioneering construction platform that will employ cutting-edge digital technologies, such as AI-driven site selection, real-time construction updates, and integrated supply chain logistics.

This approach will pair with advanced construction and manufacturing methods to ensure The Nuclear Co. builds on time and on budget, as it deploys its first 6-gigawatt fleet of nuclear reactors across America using proven, already licensed reactor technology and a design-once, build-many methodology, the release stated.

“The world’s largest technology companies rely on nuclear and its firm, clean baseload energy to power their AI data centers,” said The Nuclear Co. Chief Nuclear Officer Joe Klecha, who was tasked with taking over the building of Vogtle units 3 and 4 in the midst of the ongoing project. The two reactors are the only ones started and built in America in the past three decades, the release stated. “Just as these tech giants need nuclear, the nuclear industry needs to utilize the advanced technology they have developed.”

Lloyd also brings leadership experience from Tesla, where his engineering team shipped major in-vehicle software updates bi-weekly, according to the release. Among his work was helping launch the company’s Model 3 vehicle. He also held leadership roles at LG, where he improved software platforms for smart televisions, and Salesforce, where his responsibilities included upgraded sales cloud features for workers in the field.

“I’ve seen firsthand as a leader at some of the world’s largest companies how vital nuclear is to powering economic expansion and technology innovation,” Lloyd said in the release. “I was drawn to The Nuclear Company because of its technology-first approach, as well as my drive to solve the most complex challenges and building nuclear reactors is among humanity’s most impressive feats.”