The nuclear operations group said Thursday it has received more than $1 billion in awards to make nuclear components, including reactors, for U.S. defense programs and will be adding 250 new salaried and hourly jobs — with about half coming to Barberton.

The division has about 3,800 employees, with 540 in Barberton. That will climb to about 685 when the new job openings are filled. An additional 14 to 15 jobs will be added at the group's Euclid (Ohio, near Cleveland) facility.

B&W, the fourth-largest manufacturing employer in Summit County, has an estimated 2,000 local employees. The bulk, 1,450, work at its Power Generation Group.

B&W has started filling some of the new nuclear operations group positions and will continue hiring throughout 2010, a spokeswoman said.

The company is hiring salaried quality assurance, manufacturing, welding and design engineers; supervisors and foremen. Full-time hourly positions will include welders, machinists, computer controllers, millwrights and electricians.

Resumes can be submitted at the company's Web site, http://www.babcock.com.

The upcoming work will bring B&W more than $2.66 billion in revenue over 10 years, the company said. ''We are extremely pleased with these new agreements and the continued growth of B&W's nuclear business segments and product line,'' Brandon C. Bethards, chief executive officer, said in a prepared statement.

Besides Barberton and Euclid, the nuclear operations group has a location in Mount Vernon, Ind., and the recently acquired Nuclear Fuel Services Inc. in Erwin, Tenn.

B&W Nuclear Operations Group provides nuclear fuel and makes reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers, and also does other nuclear and non-nuclear R&D and component production. The company said its services include plutonium and uranium decontamination and decommissioning, facility stabilization and nuclear materials management.