E-3 Visa Reactor Operator Jobs
Reactor Operator roles at U.S. nuclear facilities qualify as specialty occupations under the E-3 visa, which means Australian nationals can pursue sponsorship without competing in the H-1B lottery. Employers file a Labor Condition Application before your consulate appointment, and your two-year visa is renewable for as long as you hold a qualifying position.
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Get Access To All JobsRequisition ID: 94171
NextEra Energy Resources is one of America’s largest wholesale electricity generators, harnessing diverse energy sources to power progress. We deliver tailored energy solutions that fuel economic growth, strengthen communities, and help customers achieve their energy goals. Ready to make a lasting impact? Take the next step in your career with us!
Position Specific Description
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc. is seeking a Reactor Operator for our Duane Arnold Energy Center. This single unit BWR nuclear facility is located just outside Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Licensing Classes are scheduled for August 2026 and early 2027 (onsite date ASAP). Successful candidates will have superior execution skills, be detail-oriented and have technical aptitude in electronic, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
While employed in this position, the primary responsibility will be familiarization of the Duane Arnold Energy Center (DAEC) in preparation for the potential restart of DAEC. During this time, employees selected for this position will also prepare for License Class and perform duties as assigned.
Job Overview
The Reactor Operator (RO) candidate is required to make satisfactory progress in preparation for passing the NRC RO exam, pass the NRC RO exam and complete the program to become a Reactor Operator.
This position requires participation and completion of the License Class, a preparatory program for the job of Reactor Operator. In order to participate in License Class, six months of commercial nuclear experience is required. During this time, employees selected for this position will also prepare for License Class and perform duties as assigned.
Employees in this position must successfully complete the entire program. Individuals partake in several training programs including the Reactor Operator (RO) training program, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) RO license exam. The position requires employees to perform reactor operating duties, reactor engineering tasks, direction to field operators and assigned maintenance duties. Other duties as assigned including ensuring safe and efficient operation of the nuclear plant while maintaining critical control systems critical for plant operation.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
- Completes the site Reactor Operator (RO) License
- Develops planning, organizing, and directing skills
- Practices controlling shift operations
- Develops up-to-date knowledge of plant operating conditions and limitations established by technical specifications and the plant operating license
- Practices performing as a reactor operator
- Progresses in knowledge to pass the NRC RO exam and program completion
- Completes and passes any other training course, instruction, event, simulation, and on-the-job performance
- Support qualification of all licensed and non-licensed operators
- Successfully completed a physical exam that meets ANSI standard; ANS. 3.4, ANSI N546-1976 (licensed operator physical)
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma or the equivalent
- Pass the Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) test
- Candidates for an RO license shall have one of the following qualifications:
- Six months as a qualified non-licensed operator at the Nuclear facility identified
- Twelve months as a qualified non-licensed operator at a comparable facility or eighteen months at a non-comparable facility
- Six months as a licensed operator at a comparable facility or twelve months at a non-comparable facility
- Eighteen months experience in a position equivalent to a reactor operator at a military reactor
- Twenty-seven months experience at a non-nuclear facility
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree
Special Requirements
Nuclear Specific Requirements:
- ACAD 10-001 (Guidelines for Initial Training and Qualification of Licensed Operators) apply to this position
- Rotating shift work
- Successful completion of a Licensed Operator Physical
- Ability to obtain and maintain unescorted Nuclear Access, including participation in Fitness for Duty Program
- Condition of employment:
- Successful completion of the RO license class and attainment of NRC RO license
NextEra Energy offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees and their eligible family members. Click here to learn more.
Employee Group: Non Exempt
Employee Type: Full Time
Job Category: Operations
Organization: NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC
Relocation Provided: Yes, if applicable
NextEra Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law.
NextEra Energy provides reasonable accommodation in its application and selection process for qualified individuals, including accommodations related to compliance with conditional job offer requirements, consistent with federal, state, and local laws. Supporting medical or religious documentation will be required where applicable and permitted by applicable law. To request a reasonable accommodation, please send an e-mail to recruiting-coordinator.sharedmailbox@nexteraenergy.com, providing your name, telephone number and the best time for us to reach you.
NextEra Energy 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.
NextEra Energy does not accept any unsolicited resumes or referrals from any third-party recruiting firms or agencies. Please see our policy for more information.
LI-CC2
Requisition ID: 94171
NextEra Energy Resources is one of America’s largest wholesale electricity generators, harnessing diverse energy sources to power progress. We deliver tailored energy solutions that fuel economic growth, strengthen communities, and help customers achieve their energy goals. Ready to make a lasting impact? Take the next step in your career with us!
Position Specific Description
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc. is seeking a Reactor Operator for our Duane Arnold Energy Center. This single unit BWR nuclear facility is located just outside Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Licensing Classes are scheduled for August 2026 and early 2027 (onsite date ASAP). Successful candidates will have superior execution skills, be detail-oriented and have technical aptitude in electronic, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
While employed in this position, the primary responsibility will be familiarization of the Duane Arnold Energy Center (DAEC) in preparation for the potential restart of DAEC. During this time, employees selected for this position will also prepare for License Class and perform duties as assigned.
Job Overview
The Reactor Operator (RO) candidate is required to make satisfactory progress in preparation for passing the NRC RO exam, pass the NRC RO exam and complete the program to become a Reactor Operator.
This position requires participation and completion of the License Class, a preparatory program for the job of Reactor Operator. In order to participate in License Class, six months of commercial nuclear experience is required. During this time, employees selected for this position will also prepare for License Class and perform duties as assigned.
Employees in this position must successfully complete the entire program. Individuals partake in several training programs including the Reactor Operator (RO) training program, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) RO license exam. The position requires employees to perform reactor operating duties, reactor engineering tasks, direction to field operators and assigned maintenance duties. Other duties as assigned including ensuring safe and efficient operation of the nuclear plant while maintaining critical control systems critical for plant operation.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
- Completes the site Reactor Operator (RO) License
- Develops planning, organizing, and directing skills
- Practices controlling shift operations
- Develops up-to-date knowledge of plant operating conditions and limitations established by technical specifications and the plant operating license
- Practices performing as a reactor operator
- Progresses in knowledge to pass the NRC RO exam and program completion
- Completes and passes any other training course, instruction, event, simulation, and on-the-job performance
- Support qualification of all licensed and non-licensed operators
- Successfully completed a physical exam that meets ANSI standard; ANS. 3.4, ANSI N546-1976 (licensed operator physical)
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma or the equivalent
- Pass the Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) test
- Candidates for an RO license shall have one of the following qualifications:
- Six months as a qualified non-licensed operator at the Nuclear facility identified
- Twelve months as a qualified non-licensed operator at a comparable facility or eighteen months at a non-comparable facility
- Six months as a licensed operator at a comparable facility or twelve months at a non-comparable facility
- Eighteen months experience in a position equivalent to a reactor operator at a military reactor
- Twenty-seven months experience at a non-nuclear facility
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree
Special Requirements
Nuclear Specific Requirements:
- ACAD 10-001 (Guidelines for Initial Training and Qualification of Licensed Operators) apply to this position
- Rotating shift work
- Successful completion of a Licensed Operator Physical
- Ability to obtain and maintain unescorted Nuclear Access, including participation in Fitness for Duty Program
- Condition of employment:
- Successful completion of the RO license class and attainment of NRC RO license
NextEra Energy offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees and their eligible family members. Click here to learn more.
Employee Group: Non Exempt
Employee Type: Full Time
Job Category: Operations
Organization: NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC
Relocation Provided: Yes, if applicable
NextEra Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law.
NextEra Energy provides reasonable accommodation in its application and selection process for qualified individuals, including accommodations related to compliance with conditional job offer requirements, consistent with federal, state, and local laws. Supporting medical or religious documentation will be required where applicable and permitted by applicable law. To request a reasonable accommodation, please send an e-mail to recruiting-coordinator.sharedmailbox@nexteraenergy.com, providing your name, telephone number and the best time for us to reach you.
NextEra Energy 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.
NextEra Energy does not accept any unsolicited resumes or referrals from any third-party recruiting firms or agencies. Please see our policy for more information.
LI-CC2
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding E-3 Visa Sponsorship as a Reactor Operator
Get your credentials evaluated before applying
U.S. nuclear employers and the NRC require documented proof that your Australian qualifications meet domestic standards. A foreign credential evaluation from a NACES-recognized organization confirms your degree and training records translate correctly for specialty occupation purposes.
Target employers with active NRC operating licenses
Reactor Operator positions only exist at NRC-licensed facilities. Filter your search to plant operators, research reactors, and national laboratories, since these are the only employer types legally authorized to hire licensed reactor operators in the U.S.
Clarify NRC license requirements before accepting an offer
The NRC Senior Reactor Operator or Reactor Operator license is facility-specific and requires passing a written exam and simulator evaluation after hire. Confirm with your prospective employer who holds the license and what your pathway looks like from day one.
Use Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service for the LCA and paperwork
Once you have a job offer, your employer needs a certified Labor Condition Application from DOL before your visa interview. Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service manages the entire process from offer to consulate appointment, so nothing stalls between offer and start date.
Confirm your employer understands E-3 sponsorship timelines
DOL typically certifies the LCA within seven business days, but your employer must also prepare the visa support letter and prevailing wage documentation. Walk your HR contact through the two-stage process early so the offer letter includes a realistic start date.
Apply for your E-3 visa at the right Australian consulate
E-3 visa interviews are processed at U.S. consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Wait times vary by location and season, so book your appointment at the consulate with the earliest availability rather than defaulting to the closest one.
Reactor Operator jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Reactor Operator JobsReactor Operator E-3 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find Reactor Operator jobs that offer E-3 visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for Australian professionals searching for U.S. roles with E-3 sponsorship. Because E-3 requires employer sponsorship, filtering for employers who already understand the process saves significant time. Migrate Mate surfaces Reactor Operator openings at facilities with sponsorship history, so you're not cold-approaching employers who've never navigated the E-3.
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 Reactor Operator role qualify as a specialty occupation for the E-3?
Yes. Reactor Operator positions require theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear systems that is typically acquired through a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering, physics, or a related discipline, satisfying the specialty occupation standard. USCIS and DOL recognize nuclear facility roles as requiring specialized academic preparation, which is the core requirement for E-3 eligibility.
How does the E-3 compare to the H-1B for Reactor Operator roles?
The E-3 is available only to Australian nationals but has no annual cap and no lottery, meaning you can apply any time of year and start as soon as your visa is approved. The H-1B has an 85,000-slot annual cap with a randomized lottery, so most applicants wait at least a year for a cap-subject slot. For Australians, the E-3 is a direct path that bypasses lottery risk entirely.
Can I change nuclear employers while on an E-3 visa?
Yes, but each new employer must file a fresh LCA and issue a new visa support letter before you start work. Your E-3 status is employer-specific, so you can't transfer it the way some other visa categories allow. Plan for a two-to-four week DOL certification window when timing an employer change, and apply for a new E-3 visa at an Australian consulate before your current employer's support period ends.
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