X-energy Reactor Company announced that it has appointed Daniel Gross as its new Chief Financial Officer as the company continues advancing its Xe-100 small modular reactor and proprietary TRISO-X fuel technology across projects in the United States and internationally. The appointment comes as X-energy accelerates commercialization efforts following a significant capital raise and increasing global demand for next-generation nuclear energy solutions.
Gross brings extensive experience across energy finance, clean energy investment, and large-scale capital deployment. In his new role, he will oversee X-energy’s financial strategy as the company expands its reactor and fuel development programs, deepens partnerships, and supports deployment efforts across multiple markets. His appointment follows X-energy’s completion of an oversubscribed $700 million Series D financing round, positioning the company with additional capital to advance its technology and project pipeline.
Prior to joining X-energy, Gross served as a corporate development Director at Amazon, where he focused on the Climate Pledge Fund, a corporate venture program launched with an initial $2 billion in funding. His career also includes senior leadership roles in clean energy finance, including serving as Chief Investment Officer at Climate Real Impact Solutions, Managing Director at Oaktree Capital Management, and Partner at Hudson Clean Energy. Earlier in his career, he held roles at Goldman Sachs and GE Capital, building a foundation in large-scale financial operations and investment management.
Gross is already familiar with X-energy’s business and strategic priorities, having previously served as an Amazon designee on the company’s Board of Directors. His transition into the CFO role reflects continuity in leadership as X-energy scales execution across multiple commercial projects and navigates the financial complexity associated with deploying advanced nuclear technologies.
X-energy is focused on developing safer, more efficient small modular nuclear reactors designed to deliver reliable, zero-carbon, and affordable energy. The company’s modular and intrinsically safe reactor designs aim to reduce construction timelines and costs compared with traditional nuclear technologies while expanding the range of applications for nuclear power globally.
Gross holds master’s degrees in business administration and environmental management, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Yale University. He has also served as a renewable energy finance lecturer at Yale University since 2016, reflecting his long-standing involvement in advancing clean energy education alongside industry leadership.
KEY QUOTES:
“Over the past 18 months, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Daniel, both during Amazon’s investment in X-energy, and as a colleague on our Board of Directors. He is brilliant, creative, and understands the scale of what lies before us. And as we drive execution across multiple commercial projects, he is the ideal CFO to bring our bold vision to life.”
J. Clay Sell, Chief Executive Officer, X-energy
“Throughout my career, I’ve learned firsthand that innovative technology only matters if you can deliver it at scale, and that is exactly what we at X-energy are working to do. Next-generation nuclear is essential to meeting our global energy and climate challenges, and X-energy has the technology, partnerships, and execution capability to lead the industry into the future.”
Daniel Gross, Chief Financial Officer, X-energy
