Justin Hawkins is the Executive Director of Reactor Projects. In this role, he leads the small modular reactor (SMR-300) engineering and licensing teams. Hawkins also manages engineering activities with external partners and collaborates with Holtec’s corporate engineering team. He previously directed SMR’s licensing and was responsible for its regulatory compliance, licensing applications, and communications with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC).

Professional History

For seven years, he served in the US Navy aboard fast-attack submarines. In 2007, Hawkins joined the USNRC. During his 15-year tenure, he gained extensive nuclear regulatory experience in both the government and private sectors. Notably, he was senior project manager in Region I for operating reactors (NY), senior resident inspector at the Salem and Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations (NJ), a resident inspector at the Limerick Generating Station (PA), and a traveling inspector performing inspections at several operating plants in the northeast.  

Education

Hawkins earned a master’s degree in Engineering Business Management from Old Dominion University (2007) and a bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the United States Naval Academy (2001).