Peter Wells, a Mechanical Engineer, has 40 years of experience in domestic and international nuclear technology projects. His experience includes start-up, operations, maintenance and decommissioning of nuclear facilities, as well as managing technical programs.
Peter’s career began at Newport News Shipbuilding as a Test Engineer, working on the U.S. Navy’s 688 Class Fast Attack Submarines. He then spent time at the Naval Reactor Facility in Idaho Falls as both an engineer and construction superintendent, supporting the decommissioning of the S1W (USS Nautilus) prototype. His domestic experience includes working at Argonne National Laboratory-West supporting operations and decommissioning the EBR-II reactor, as well as Idaho National Laboratory (INL), supporting nuclear safety and security programs.
Peter’s international experience includes Deputy Director of the International Center for Environmental Safety, a bi-lateral nuclear non-proliferation program between the U.S. and Russia, as well as program manager for the BN-350 shutdown project, supporting the safe shutdown of the BN-350 reactor in Kazakhstan. Peter also spent 7 years at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, supporting nuclear safety programs at existing nuclear power plants in Europe as well as assisting countries embarking on nuclear power programs.
Following his tour at the IAEA, Peter spent 6 years as the Chief Operation Officer for the Nuclear Science and Technology Directorate at INL where he was responsible for all aspects of operational excellence, including the safe operations of all nuclear activities. He also held the position of Acting Associate Laboratory Director at INL. Peter retired from the INL in 2024.
Peter holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Old Dominion University as well as an MBA from Idaho State University. He was also a reserve officer in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineering Corp.