HD Hyundai has joined SK Group and Doosan in a competitive push to recruit small modular reactor (SMR) talent, intensifying a three-way race among South Korea's industrial conglomerates to capture a share of the global SMR market. According to industry sources Wednesday, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' marine energy business division is accepting applications for experienced SMR hires through Aug. 23, with open positions including project management, detailed design and quality control. Applicants must have at least 10 years of experience in the nuclear power sector and prior involvement in nuclear main component manufacturing projects; candidates with experience on US nuclear projects will receive preferential consideration. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is already manufacturing a cylindrical reactor vessel under contract from US SMR developer TerraPower, and in May it was named the preferred negotiating partner for manufacturing and supplying key equipment for TerraPower's sodium reactor main components. SK Innovation, an SK Group affiliate, ran an experienced-hire recruitment drive for SMR business development over roughly a month starting in April, with hires now working on pre-licensing preparation and regulatory affairs. Doosan Enerbility has been continuously bringing on staff for overseas SMR sales and project management. The recruitment push reflects a strategic bet that SMR will emerge as the defining power source of the AI era, as large-scale data centers require stable electricity supply. Market research firm MarketsandMarkets projects the global SMR market will grow to more than 630 trillion won ($445 billion) by 2040, and the