Green Card Reactor Operator Jobs
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 in the nuclear power sector regularly file I-140 petitions for licensed operators, making sponsorship a realistic path for foreign professionals with NRC-recognized credentials and qualifying experience.
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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 Reactor Operator Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Reactor Operator
Verify your NRC license equivalency early
U.S. nuclear facilities require NRC-issued reactor operator licenses, not foreign equivalents. Document your foreign credentials through a recognized evaluation service before approaching employers, so the PERM prevailing wage determination can accurately reflect your qualification level.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
PERM requires your offered wage to meet or exceed the DOL prevailing wage for your specific reactor operator role and worksite location. Run the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer to confirm the salary clears the threshold and won't stall your certification.
Target nuclear operators with active PERM filing history
Search for Reactor Operator roles at utilities and national laboratories that have filed PERM applications for this occupation before. Employers with prior sponsorship experience already understand the recruitment documentation and advertising requirements DOL mandates.
Find green card sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters Reactor Operator jobs by employers with employment-based green card sponsorship history, so you're not cold-applying to facilities that have never filed PERM. Use it to build a targeted list of nuclear operators actively hiring sponsored candidates.
Clarify EB-2 versus EB-3 eligibility with your employer
If your reactor operator role requires a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related field, EB-2 may apply for advanced-degree professionals. Most licensed operator positions qualify under EB-3 skilled worker, which has no annual cap concerns for many nationalities.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before your PERM timeline starts
Nuclear facilities contracting with the federal government are typically required to use E-Verify. Confirm your prospective employer is enrolled before PERM filing begins, since unenrollment discovered mid-process can delay I-140 adjudication at USCIS.
Green Card Reactor Operator: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Reactor Operator jobs in the U.S. commonly come with green card sponsorship?
Yes, particularly at nuclear power utilities, national laboratories, and government contractors. Reactor Operator is classified as a skilled worker role under DOL occupational standards, making it eligible for EB-3 sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process. Employers in this sector are accustomed to sponsoring foreign professionals who hold or can obtain NRC-recognized credentials, though you'll need to confirm each employer's willingness before accepting an offer.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for a Reactor Operator role?
The green card route through PERM and I-140 leads to permanent residency rather than temporary status, and EB-3 skilled worker cases are not subject to an annual lottery. The H-1B visa requires employer sponsorship each year and is capped at 85,000 per fiscal year with a random selection. PERM takes longer overall, often 18 to 36 months from start to green card, but the outcome is lawful permanent residency with no recurring renewal burden.
Where can I find Reactor Operator jobs that offer green card sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search. It surfaces Reactor Operator positions at employers with documented employment-based green card sponsorship history, so you can focus on facilities that have already navigated the PERM process rather than ones that are unfamiliar with it. Filtering by sponsorship history significantly improves your chances of reaching an offer that can support a full I-140 filing.
What role does the O*NET profile play in my green card application as a Reactor Operator?
The O*NET occupation profile for Reactor Operator establishes the standard duties, required education, and skill requirements that DOL uses when evaluating PERM applications for this role. Your employer's job description must align with the O*NET definition to pass DOL scrutiny during the supervised recruitment phase. Discrepancies between the advertised role and the O*NET profile are a common source of audit requests, so your employer's PERM attorney should align the description carefully.
What happens to my green card sponsorship if I change employers mid-process?
If you change employers after USCIS has approved your I-140 petition and your priority date is current or nearly current, portability rules under AC21 may allow you to transfer the approved petition to a new employer in a same or similar Reactor Operator role. If the I-140 is still pending or recently approved and your priority date is not yet current, a change of employer generally restarts the PERM process, adding significant time to your green card timeline.