As SMR projects move from concept to commercialization, success depends on delivering consistent, repeatable execution at scale. ATS partners with reactor developers, EPCs, and manufacturers to design automation solutions that improve productivity, optimize skilled resources, and enable efficient manufacturing, assembly, and commissioning—helping projects stay on schedule and within budget.
Top Challenges
Design Standardization
First-of-a-kind SMR designs can drive engineering changes and rework; automation and digital engineering tools help improve configuration control and create more repeatable project execution.
Workforce Availability
A limited pool of experienced nuclear and skilled-trade resources is increasing pressure on project schedules; automation helps teams focus specialized expertise where it adds the most value.
Supply Chain Coordination
Managing components from multiple suppliers is becoming increasingly complex as designs evolve; automated manufacturing, tracking, and quality systems improve visibility and coordination across the supply chain.
Construction Productivity
Field construction and assembly activities can be labor-intensive and difficult to standardize; robotics, modular manufacturing, and automated tooling help improve productivity and reduce schedule variability.
Cost Competitiveness
SMRs must continue lowering the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) to remain competitive; automation helps reduce manufacturing costs, improve throughput, and support more efficient plant deployment.
Quality & Regulatory Compliance
Nuclear projects require extensive documentation, inspection, and traceability; automated inspection and data management systems help improve consistency, reduce errors, and simplify compliance activities.
Our Solutions
Leveraging decades of automation expertise and nuclear experience, ATS delivers innovative solutions that help SMR developers reduce risk, improve project certainty, and accelerate the transition from design to deployment.
Factory Automation & Modular Construction
Enable faster, more predictable nuclear deployment through automated manufacturing, assembly, and modular construction solutions. ATS helps SMR developers improve repeatability, quality, and scalability by moving complex work into controlled production environments.
Fuel Handling Systems & Material Handling Systems
Optimize the movement, positioning, and processing of critical nuclear components with reliable automation and specialized handling solutions. ATS designs systems that improve efficiency, precision, and operational reliability throughout the plant lifecycle.
Inspection & Maintenance Systems
Improve asset performance and lifecycle management with advanced inspection, tooling, and maintenance solutions. ATS helps reduce downtime, enhance data-driven decision-making, and support safe, efficient plant operations.
Fuel Fabrication
Leverage decades of automation expertise to support the development and production of advanced fuel manufacturing processes. ATS delivers high-precision automation solutions that improve quality, throughput, and repeatability for next-generation nuclear fuel production.
FOAK Tooling, Prototyping & Underwater Custom Tooling
Bring innovative nuclear solutions from concept to deployment with specialized tooling, prototyping, and first-of-a-kind (FOAK) development expertise. ATS works collaboratively with customers to solve complex challenges and create reliable solutions for unique nuclear applications.
Key Benefits
By integrating automation early, SMR developers can improve efficiency, control costs, and create repeatable processes for future deployment.
Accelerate SMR Deployment
Automation enables more repeatable, predictable manufacturing and construction processes, helping SMR developers move from first-of-a-kind designs to scalable deployment faster while reducing project uncertainty.
Reduce FOAK Risk & Improve Repeatability
First-of-a-kind projects require new approaches, processes, and tooling. ATS helps industrialize complex operations through automation, simulation, and proven engineering practices that improve consistency and reduce rework.
Improve Cost Certainty
By optimizing manufacturing, assembly, and testing processes, automation helps reduce variability, improve productivity, and support more predictable project costs throughout the lifecycle.
Optimize Skilled Workforce Capacity
Automation works alongside highly skilled nuclear professionals by taking on repetitive, precision-critical tasks, allowing teams to focus expertise where it delivers the greatest impact.
Enhance Quality & Regulatory Confidence
Automated processes provide greater consistency, traceability, and data visibility, helping SMR developers meet demanding nuclear quality requirements and streamline compliance activities.
Build Scalable Nuclear Manufacturing
From modular construction to factory-based production, automation enables repeatable processes that support fleet deployment and the future growth of advanced nuclear energy.
Connect With Our Nuclear Automation Experts
Partner with ATS to develop automation solutions that improve project certainty, accelerate deployment, and enable the future of clean energy.