H-1B Visa Reactor Operator Jobs
Reactor Operator roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations when the position requires a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering, physics, or a directly related field. Nuclear utilities and national laboratories are among the most consistent H-1B sponsors in this classification, filing LCAs through DOL before petitioning USCIS.
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Get Access To All JobsRequisition ID: 94568
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 Reactor Operator candidates at the Duane Arnold Energy Center. This single unit nuclear facility is located just outside Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Our next license Class expects to start this August 2026. 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 include 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
- Supports qualification of all licensed and non-licensed operators
- Successfully completes 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: 94568
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 Reactor Operator candidates at the Duane Arnold Energy Center. This single unit nuclear facility is located just outside Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Our next license Class expects to start this August 2026. 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 include 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
- Supports qualification of all licensed and non-licensed operators
- Successfully completes 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 H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Reactor Operator
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to reactor operations. A nuclear engineering or health physics degree strengthens the specialty occupation argument. A general engineering degree may trigger an RFE, so gather documentation showing how your coursework maps to the role.
Target NRC-licensed facilities for sponsorship
Commercial nuclear power plants operating under Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses have established HR processes for foreign nationals. These employers file LCAs regularly and understand prevailing wage requirements for reactor operations roles, making sponsorship conversations more straightforward.
Search H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate
Filter by reactor operator and nuclear operations job titles to see which utilities and national laboratories have active DOL LCA filing history. This lets you prioritize outreach to employers who have already committed to H-1B sponsorship in this specific occupation.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV prevailing wage for your target work location before you receive an offer. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the applicable level, so knowing the floor prevents misaligned expectations during negotiation.
Confirm NRC operator licensing timelines with your employer
Many reactor operator positions require an NRC-issued operator license that takes 18 to 24 months to obtain on site. Clarify whether your H-1B petition will be filed before or after licensure, since job duties and specialty occupation qualifications can differ across that timeline.
Align your H-1B start date with fuel cycle outages
Nuclear utilities schedule major maintenance outages around reactor refueling cycles, typically every 18 to 24 months. If your petition targets a standard October 1 start date, confirm with your employer that the role remains fully active and won't be paused during an outage window.
Reactor Operator jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Reactor Operator JobsReactor Operator H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Reactor Operator role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It depends on the specific position requirements. If the employer's job description mandates a bachelor's degree or higher in nuclear engineering, health physics, or a closely related field, USCIS will generally accept the specialty occupation argument. Roles where the employer accepts any engineering degree regardless of field face a higher risk of a Request for Evidence, so the job description and degree field alignment matter significantly.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Reactor Operator jobs?
Commercial nuclear utilities, Department of Energy national laboratories, and university research reactors are the most consistent sponsors. National laboratories operating under DOE contracts often have cap-exempt status, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without entering the annual lottery. Use Migrate Mate to browse employers with verified LCA filing history in nuclear operations roles.
How does the NRC operator licensing requirement interact with H-1B status?
The NRC individual operator license is issued after on-site training that typically runs 18 to 24 months. Your H-1B petition covers the position itself, not the license, so you can begin the role in a trainee or non-licensed capacity while pursuing licensure. Confirm with your employer how the job duties and title change after you receive your NRC license, since USCIS may require an amended petition if the role changes materially.
What prevailing wage level applies to Reactor Operator H-1B positions?
DOL assigns prevailing wages to reactor operator roles using O*NET occupation codes and the geographic location of the worksite. The LCA your employer files must certify a wage at or above the applicable level, typically Level II or Level III for experienced operators. You can verify the wage floor for your specific metro area using the OFLC Wage Search before your employer files.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new nuclear employer if I change jobs?
Yes. Under H-1B portability, you can start working for a new employer as soon as they file an H-1B transfer petition, without waiting for USCIS approval, as long as your previous H-1B was approved and you've maintained valid status. The new employer must file a fresh LCA with DOL and submit an I-129 petition to USCIS. Given the specialized nature of reactor operator roles, the new employer's job description must also satisfy the specialty occupation requirement independently.
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