Co-op students help advance Kinectrics' next generation of nuclear and clean energy innovation
By: Christie Zeb (she/her)
Kinectrics invests in Waterloo co-op students to train for full-time roles and the future of clean energy.
Kinectrics, a division of BWX Technologies Inc., is a global leader in engineering, testing, inspection and certification for the nuclear and energy sectors.
With more than 1,300 technical experts and state-of-the-art labs, the company supports the full lifecycle of nuclear power, from design and operation to maintenance and life extension.
For decades, Waterloo co-op students have been an integral part of Kinectrics’ efforts to advance clean energy and strengthen critical infrastructure worldwide.
Students work across nearly every division, from safety licensing to robotic tooling and nuclear waste management.
They support research into next-generation medical isotopes, help identify production pathways and advance Kinectrics’ leadership in isotope innovation.
“What makes the Waterloo co-op program stand out is how organized and employer-friendly it is,” says Dr. Sriram Suryanarayan, director of innovation at Kinectrics.
“Each (students' job) application comes with past employer ratings, transcripts and resumes, giving us a clear and complete view of the candidate. This has translated into consistently strong hires.”
Dr. Sriram Suryanarayan, director of innovation at Kinectrics
Students are not just technically skilled, but eager, professional and ready to deliver real value from day one.
When Aryan Sharma (he/him) joined Kinectrics’ innovation team as a mechanical engineering co-op student, his goal was to deepen his understanding of the nuclear industry.
During his co-op term, Sharma (MEng ’25) conducted technical and market research in a range of areas, including medical isotopes, fusion energy and radiation safety.
“These analyses supported early-stage opportunity identification, informed internal planning and contributed to strategic direction at the leadership level,” Sharma says.
Aryan Sharma (MEng ’25), assistant analyst, strategic growth and innovation at Kinectrics
He also organized technical excellence seminars and coordinated facility tours for industry and academic partners.
Sharma had the opportunity to speak at the Fifth Generation IV and Small Reactor Conference (G4SR-5), where he represented Kinectrics and the University of Waterloo. This invitation was one of the highlights of his work term.
“The opportunity reflected the company’s trust in its students and its commitment to meaningful learning,” Sharma says.
Following his graduation, Sharma is back to Kinectrics as a full-time analyst, applying his mechanical engineering skills to drive innovation in the nuclear industry.
Overall, my experience at Kinectrics gave me the confidence to take initiative, think critically and understand how engineering skills can translate into real-world impact.
Fifth-year Faculty of Engineering student, Emma Chalupka (she/her), has completed two work terms at Kinectrics.
During her co-op terms, Chalupka advanced a medical isotope project by documenting a client’s production process and creating research-based whitepapers to guide design decisions.
“I visited a client’s radioisotope manufacturing facility and took detailed notes to capture the entire four-day manufacturing process for our project team,” Chalupka says.
“In addition, I conducted thorough literature research and authored technical whitepapers on radioisotope generators to advise the client on the optimal components and design for their target yields and drug product purity.”
She also assessed the viability of an upcoming medical isotope for targeted alpha therapy cancer treatment.
Emma Chalupka, Faculty of Engineering co-op student
Beyond research, Chalupka redesigned Kinectrics’ visual management board and developed internal training resources to support efficient research and development within the company.
“I redeveloped the company’s monthly Visual Management Board features to include innovation tools and inspiring stories to foster an innovative environment at Kinectrics,” Chalupka says.
Chalupka describes her work terms at Kinectrics as a learning opportunity that has inspired her to pursue a career in the nuclear engineering industry.
“Kinectrics has been a long-standing partner in providing Waterloo co-op students with meaningful opportunities to apply their skills in the nuclear and clean energy sector,” says Melissa Prospero, University of Waterloo’s co-op account manager.
“The company's commitment to investing in student growth not only shapes future talent but also advances innovation in an industry critical to Canada’s energy future.”
A culture that invests in students
Kinectrics’ approach to supporting co-op students is more than assigning projects; it’s about building future nuclear industry leaders.
Students start with foundational training in nuclear safety, innovation management and industry fundamentals. They can then dive deeper through an elective module that enables them to explore topics like artificial intelligence, fusion or medical isotopes. Beyond that, students have access to more than 7,000 Coursera courses and monthly technical seminars featuring top academics and industry experts.
Mentorship is also a core pillar of this support. In addition to regular one-on-one guidance from managers, covering everything from technical problem-solving to negotiation skills, Kinectrics pairs students with senior team members called “buddy mentors.”
Beyond the lab, Kinectrics provides opportunities for social connection through volleyball games, on-site gym and community initiatives like the United Way campaign.
We think of students as a long-term investment. When they do well, they’re often invited back as graduate trainees, and from there, many build their entire careers here.
“We have students who have climbed the corporate ladder. They come in as students, then they become graduate trainees, managers, directors and vice-presidents,” Suryanarayan says.
With the investments Kinectrics makes in co-op student growth and learning, these students help the company push boundaries and redefine nuclear innovation.