Green Card Nuclear Reactor Operator Jobs
Nuclear Reactor Operator roles at U.S. nuclear facilities qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process. Employers file the I-140 petition after DOL certification, covering licensed operators and advanced-degree professionals. Strong NRC licensing documentation and radiation safety credentials strengthen your PERM case significantly.
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Get Access To All JobsAre you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.
Position Summary
Responsible for participating and completing Senior Reactor Operator training to obtain the skills required for ensuring safe operation of the plant by overseeing control room operations to comply with all licensing and regulatory requirements and company requirements for generation capacity; coordinating operations with other plant groups; and maintaining operations data and records.
Essential Responsibilities
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills to ensure the nuclear generating plant operates safely and remains in compliance with plant requirements and governmental regulations. Trainees learn to verify the nuclear plant is operated in accordance with technical specifications and licensing basis.
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills to effectively oversee activities of Control Room Operators and Auxiliary Operators and to investigate Operational problems and evaluate for plant impact. Trainee will also learn to effectively coordinate shift activities with plant work schedule.
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills needed to perform administrative functions related to plant operational requirements. Trainees learn to issue Maintenance work requests and to maintain current plant logging requirements.
- Must complete all training required as evidenced by successfully passing any and all required licensing exams.
Minimum Requirements
Must meet one of the following items per ACAD 10-01:
- Certified Instructor with greater than 4 years commercial nuclear experience
- Licensed reactor operator duties as an ACTIVE* RO for 12 Months or more at Monticello or Prairie Island
- 12 months or more as an ACTIVE* RO or SRO at a commercial power reactor facility of the same vendor and vintage
- 18 months or more as an ACTIVE* RO or SRO at a noncomparable commercial power reactor facility
- 18 months or more in a position equivalent to a reactor operator position at a military reactor? (qualified to manipulate or direct the manipulation of control rods)
- reactor operator
- engineering officer of the watch
- propulsion plant watch officer
- engineering watch supervisor
- propulsion plant watch supervisor
- BS degree or equivalent in engineering, engineering technology or related sciences; or has a professional engineer license.
- 18 months of experience at a comparable nuclear power facility or military reactor
- 27 months of experience at a non-comparable power generation facility
- A non-traditional degree with the following:
- 36 months of nuclear experience for a nontraditional degree
As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $46.60 to $70.00 per hour
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Spot On Bonus, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Deadline to Apply: 04/25/27
EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)
All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at recruiting@xcelenergy.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.
Position Summary
Responsible for participating and completing Senior Reactor Operator training to obtain the skills required for ensuring safe operation of the plant by overseeing control room operations to comply with all licensing and regulatory requirements and company requirements for generation capacity; coordinating operations with other plant groups; and maintaining operations data and records.
Essential Responsibilities
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills to ensure the nuclear generating plant operates safely and remains in compliance with plant requirements and governmental regulations. Trainees learn to verify the nuclear plant is operated in accordance with technical specifications and licensing basis.
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills to effectively oversee activities of Control Room Operators and Auxiliary Operators and to investigate Operational problems and evaluate for plant impact. Trainee will also learn to effectively coordinate shift activities with plant work schedule.
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills needed to perform administrative functions related to plant operational requirements. Trainees learn to issue Maintenance work requests and to maintain current plant logging requirements.
- Must complete all training required as evidenced by successfully passing any and all required licensing exams.
Minimum Requirements
Must meet one of the following items per ACAD 10-01:
- Certified Instructor with greater than 4 years commercial nuclear experience
- Licensed reactor operator duties as an ACTIVE* RO for 12 Months or more at Monticello or Prairie Island
- 12 months or more as an ACTIVE* RO or SRO at a commercial power reactor facility of the same vendor and vintage
- 18 months or more as an ACTIVE* RO or SRO at a noncomparable commercial power reactor facility
- 18 months or more in a position equivalent to a reactor operator position at a military reactor? (qualified to manipulate or direct the manipulation of control rods)
- reactor operator
- engineering officer of the watch
- propulsion plant watch officer
- engineering watch supervisor
- propulsion plant watch supervisor
- BS degree or equivalent in engineering, engineering technology or related sciences; or has a professional engineer license.
- 18 months of experience at a comparable nuclear power facility or military reactor
- 27 months of experience at a non-comparable power generation facility
- A non-traditional degree with the following:
- 36 months of nuclear experience for a nontraditional degree
As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at recruiting@xcelenergy.com.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $46.60 to $70.00 per hour
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Spot On Bonus, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Deadline to Apply: 04/25/27
EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)
All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at recruiting@xcelenergy.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
See all Green Card Nuclear Reactor Operator Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Nuclear Reactor Operator
Verify your NRC license transfers cleanly
Foreign reactor operator credentials don't automatically satisfy NRC licensing requirements. Request a formal equivalency assessment from the NRC before your PERM audit begins, so your employer's labor certification reflects accurate domestic qualification standards and avoids DOL delays.
Target utilities running active PERM cycles
Nuclear utilities with ongoing capacity expansions or new reactor licensing proceedings are more likely to be running active PERM filings. Search DOL's Foreign Labor Application Gateway disclosure data by SOC code 51-8011 to identify facilities with recent green card sponsorship activity.
Distinguish EB-2 and EB-3 eligibility before applying
EB-3 covers licensed operators with a bachelor's degree; EB-2 applies to candidates with advanced degrees or demonstrated specialized expertise in reactor operations. Clarify which category your credentials support before approaching employers, since the PERM filing strategy and priority date implications differ.
Search green-card-sponsoring nuclear employers on Migrate Mate
Nuclear Operator roles appear at a narrow set of facilities, making targeted search essential. Use Migrate Mate to filter employers with active EB-2 and EB-3 sponsorship histories in nuclear operations, so you're applying where PERM infrastructure already exists.
Confirm prevailing wage tier before offer negotiation
Nuclear Reactor Operators fall under SOC 51-8011. Look up the OFLC Wage Search for your specific facility's metropolitan area before salary discussions, since the prevailing wage level your employer certifies on the LCA directly affects the PERM filing and must match or exceed your offer.
Document radiation safety training for the I-140 package
USCIS adjudicators reviewing I-140 petitions for reactor operations roles scrutinize specialized training evidence. Compile dated certificates for radiation protection, reactor startup procedures, and emergency operating training before your employer submits the petition, not after an RFE arrives.
Green Card Nuclear Reactor Operator: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Nuclear Reactor Operator jobs qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Both categories are available depending on your qualifications. EB-3 covers skilled workers in licensed reactor operator roles that require a bachelor's degree and relevant training. EB-2 applies if your role requires an advanced degree or if you hold specialized credentials that meet the EB-2 advanced-degree standard. Your employer files the PERM labor certification with DOL first, then the I-140 petition with USCIS under whichever category fits your background.
How does the green card process differ from H-1B sponsorship for this role?
H-1B visa sponsorship is temporary and subject to the annual lottery cap, while EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship leads to permanent residency and has no annual cap on petition filings. The PERM process requires DOL to certify that no qualified U.S. worker is available, which adds time upfront but results in an approved I-140 that stays valid even if you change nuclear employers, provided you file to port under AC21 portability rules.
Which U.S. employers sponsor green cards for Nuclear Reactor Operators?
Sponsoring employers are typically commercial nuclear utilities, government-owned national laboratories, and naval nuclear propulsion contractors. Not all facilities run active PERM cycles, so identifying the right employer early matters. Use Migrate Mate to search for employers with documented EB-2 and EB-3 sponsorship histories in nuclear operations, which narrows your target list to facilities where the sponsorship infrastructure is already in place.
What documents do I need to support the PERM application as a foreign reactor operator?
Your employer drives the PERM filing, but your credentials directly determine what DOL certifies. You'll need official transcripts, foreign credential evaluation letters confirming degree equivalency, NRC-related training certificates, radiation protection course completions, and documentation of any licensed operator experience. Gaps or untranslated foreign credentials are a common source of DOL audit requests, so assembling these before PERM recruitment begins prevents downstream delays.
What happens to my green card case if I switch nuclear employers mid-process?
If your I-140 has been approved for at least 180 days and your priority date is current or close to current, AC21 portability rules allow you to move to a new employer in the same or similar occupational classification without losing your priority date. Nuclear Reactor Operator roles generally qualify as same-or-similar to each other, but your new employer must be willing to continue the sponsorship by filing a new I-485 amendment or supporting a transfer of the pending adjustment of status case.