E-3 Visa Nuclear Engineer Jobs
Nuclear Engineer roles in the U.S. qualify as E-3 visa specialty occupations, requiring a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a closely related field. Australian nationals can secure sponsorship without entering an H-1B lottery, making the E-3 visa a direct path into national labs, utilities, and defense contractors.
Find E-3 Visa Nuclear Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 17+ Nuclear Engineer jobs










See all Nuclear Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Nuclear Engineer roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Job Posting Title:
Postdoctoral Fellow, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab, Cockrell School of Engineering
Hiring Department:
Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering
Position Open To:
All Applicants
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Earliest Start Date:
Immediately
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Sep 01, 2024
Location:
PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS
Job Details:
General Notes
This is a temporary training position that may be renewed annually, for a maximum of five years, based upon performance review, progress towards research goals, and continuation of funding.
As a top-10 engineering school with the No. 1 program in Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. With 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest number of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation’s most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy to health care. Situated in the heart of Austin — named “America’s Coolest City” by Expedia and “The Best Place to Live in the U.S.” by U.S. News and World Report — the Cockrell School embodies the city’s innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, National Instruments, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google, and many others, continue to recruit Cockrell School students at a remarkable rate, launching thousands of successful careers and developing Texas Engineers into industry leaders.
UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
- Retirement contributions
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Paid holidays
- Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered
Purpose
The Postdoctoral Fellow will conduct research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the area of mobile manipulation for handling material in nuclear and/or hazardous environments.
Responsibilities
- Carries out research in the area of applied robotics for use in extreme environments, particularly in the nuclear, oil & gas industries, and/or military applications though other application areas may be considered
- Co-authors peer-reviewed research
- Collaborates with other group members and Principal Investigator in defining the specific scope of research projects
- Performs other related duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field received within the past three (3) years, where the area of research is related to robotics or software for complex systems. Experience in the preparation of proposals and peer-reviewed technical papers. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and sponsors.
Preferred Qualifications
None
Salary Range
$70,000 + depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
- May work in an academic research environment
- May work in a laboratory environment
- May work in field environments
- May work with large robotic systems or autonomous vehicles
- Occasional work with hazardous materials (chemical, cryogenics, compressed gas, and radioactive materials)
Physics Tasks
- May work around standard office conditions
- Use of manual dexterity
- Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
- Letter of interest
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
- E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
- E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
- Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
- Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
See all E-3 Visa Nuclear Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new E-3 Visa Nuclear Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding E-3 Visa Sponsorship as a Nuclear Engineer
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation requirements
Your Australian bachelor's in nuclear engineering satisfies the E-3 degree requirement, but your employer's LCA must specify the role requires that specific field. A general engineering degree supporting a nuclear role can trigger additional scrutiny from DOL reviewers.
Target employers with active NRC licenses
Nuclear Engineer roles tied to licensed facilities, including power plants, research reactors, and DOE sites, have built-in hiring infrastructure for credentialed engineers. These employers already understand specialty occupation documentation and move faster through the sponsorship process.
Resolve security clearance eligibility before applying
Many U.S. nuclear positions require a DOE Q clearance or DOD Secret clearance, which Australian nationals on E-3 visas are generally ineligible to hold. Confirm the role's clearance requirements upfront so you target positions where your status won't disqualify you.
Use Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service for the LCA and visa paperwork
The LCA must be certified by DOL before you can lodge your visa application at the consulate. Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service handles the complete process from LCA submission through consulate preparation, reducing the risk of delays from procedural errors.
Get your academic credentials formally evaluated
Some U.S. employers and consular officers request a credential evaluation confirming your Australian three-year degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's. Obtaining a report from a NACES-member evaluator before your job search removes a common late-stage objection during visa processing.
Clarify employment structure if working on a federal site
Nuclear engineers placed at DOE national laboratories or NRC-regulated sites often work through prime contractors or subcontractors, not the federal government directly. Your E-3 sponsoring employer must be the entity paying your wages, so confirm the correct legal employer before the LCA is filed with DOL.
E-3 Visa Nuclear Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find Nuclear Engineer jobs with E-3 visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists Nuclear Engineer roles with employers that have active E-3 sponsorship history, filtering out positions where clearance requirements or contractor structures make E-3 sponsorship unavailable. Searching through Migrate Mate saves time by surfacing roles where Australian nationals can realistically complete the sponsorship and hiring process without disqualifying hurdles.
How much does it cost to get an E-3 visa?
Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service covers the entire process for $499, including the Labor Condition Application, visa document preparation, and consulate appointment guidance. Traditional immigration lawyers charge $2,000–$5,000+ for the same work. The E-3 has less paperwork than most work visas, so paying thousands for legal help is usually unnecessary.
Does a Nuclear Engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for E-3 purposes?
Yes. Nuclear engineering positions typically require at minimum a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering, health physics, or a directly related field, satisfying the E-3 specialty occupation definition. Roles focused on reactor design, radiation protection, fuel cycle analysis, and safety analysis consistently meet this standard. Roles that only require a general engineering degree without field-specific coursework carry a higher risk of DOL scrutiny during LCA review.
How does the E-3 compare to H-1B for Nuclear Engineer positions?
The E-3 has a 10,500-visa annual allocation that has never been exhausted, meaning there is no lottery and no wait for a cap slot. For H-1B, most Nuclear Engineer applicants face a lottery with roughly a 25 percent selection rate. The E-3 also allows indefinite two-year renewals, so a long-term role at a national lab or utility does not require transitioning to a different visa category.
Can I work at a DOE national laboratory on an E-3 visa?
Yes, with an important qualification. DOE national laboratories such as Argonne, Oak Ridge, and Pacific Northwest are operated by private management and operating contractors, not the federal government directly. That contractor is your legal employer for E-3 purposes and files your LCA with DOL. However, many research roles at these facilities require a DOE Q clearance, which is restricted to U.S. citizens, so you must confirm the specific role does not have a clearance requirement before proceeding.