H-1B Visa Reactor Operator Jobs
Reactor Operator roles qualify as H-1B visa 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 JobsWHO WE ARE
As the largest private-sector power producer in the world and the nation's largest producer of clean and reliable energy, Constellation is focused on our purpose: lighting the way to a brilliant tomorrow for all. We have been the leader in clean energy production for more than a decade, and we are cultivating a workplace where our employees can grow, thrive, and contribute. Now integrated with Calpine, our portfolio includes 55 gigawatts of capacity from nuclear, natural gas, geothermal, hydro, wind and solar facilities, with the generating capacity to power the equivalent of 27 million homes.
Our culture and employee experience make it clear: We are powered by passion and purpose. Together, we're creating healthier communities and a cleaner planet, and our people are the driving force behind our success. At Constellation, you can build a fulfilling career with opportunities to learn, grow and make an impact. By doing our best work and meeting new challenges, we can accomplish great things. Join us in meeting the country's energy needs today and tomorrow.
TOTAL REWARDS
Constellation offers an extensive selection of benefits and rewards to help our employees thrive professionally and personally. We provide competitive compensation and a wide-range of benefits that support both employees and their families, helping them prepare for the future. In addition to highly competitive salaries, eligible employees are offered a bonus program, 401(k) with company match, employee stock purchase program; comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits, including robust wellbeing programs; disability and life insurance benefits; paid time off for vacation, holidays, and sick days; and much more.
Starting rate for this role is $69.80 per hour.
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION
Upon the successful completion of Initial License Training (including attainment of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Reactor Operator (RO) License), operate the Nuclear Power Station in accordance with the Licensed Reactor Operators responsibilities as defined in the station operating procedures and in accordance with Operations Department and station policies and practices.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
- In class:
- Candidates attending class with the intent of attaining an RO License.
- Classroom lessons, study time, exam time, and field time required to attain licensed status.
- Other duties as assigned to support site operations.
- Successful completion of Initial Training and/or Watch Station Qualifications.
-
Pass company and NRC issued exams to attain RO license.
-
Once licensed:
- Operate the plant in accordance with approved procedures and within the Limiting Conditions for Operation of the Technical Specifications to ensure the reactor is operated in a safe, conservative, and efficient manner at all times.
- Monitor the reactor and ensure reactor operation remains within established bands.
- Monitor all assigned control room panels and notify the Unit Supervisor regarding unusual or unexpected conditions.
- Maintain cognizance of the activities and work impacting the unit, and the work of the assist RO(s) assigned to the unit.
- Ensure a narrative log of activities occurring on the assigned unit during the shift is maintained.
- Perform clearance activities.
- Coordinate liquid radwaste releases and transfers with the Reactor Operators and the Radwaste Equipment Operators.
- Perform electrical switching from the Control Room.
- Be available for on-call status, rotating shifts - including holiday and weekend work, and serve on the Emergency Response Organization.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
- Successfully pass the Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) and Basic Math and Science Test (BMST) pre-employment tests successfully.
- Pass NRC-required physical examination for licensed operators.
- Ability to complete fire brigade member qualifications based on Operational needs, including physical qualifications (ability to wear a respirator and wear 20-pound oxygen tank). For Fire Brigade and while standing watch in case of fire must wear respirators in control room.
- Obtain unescorted access to Constellation's nuclear power plants.
- Meet or exceed one of the following:
- 6 months performing plant operational duties as a non-licensed operator on-site at the Constellation nuclear power plant for which you are applying as an RO (qualified for all power block and safety system operational duties). Must have 18 months total Power Plant experience.
- 12 months experience performing plant operational duties as a qualified non-licensed operator at a comparable nuclear facility or 18 months at a noncomparable nuclear facility (qualified for all power block and safety system operational duties). Comparable is PWR to PWR or BWR to BWR, and non-comparable is PWR to BWR or BWR to PWR. Must have 18 months total Power Plant experience.
- 6 months performing plant operational duties as an ACTIVE licensed reactor operator at a comparable nuclear facility or 12 months experience at a non-comparable commercial power reactor operator facility. Comparable is PWR to PWR or BWR to BWR, and non-comparable is PWR to BWR or BWR to PWR. Must have 18 months total Power Plant experience.
- 18 months in position equivalent to the reactor operator position at a military Navy Reactor (qualified to manipulate or direct the manipulation of control rods). The equivalent positions are Reactor Operator, Engineering Officer of the Watch / Propulsion Plant Watch Officer, Engineering Watch Supervisor / Propulsion Plant Watch Supervisor.
- 27 months of experience performed in a non-nuclear power production plant during preoperational, startup testing or operational activities. Other acceptable experience includes plant design, construction, technical support, operation, maintenance, or training instruction with respect to petrochemical; similar process plants; or steam propulsion plants.
WHO WE ARE
As the largest private-sector power producer in the world and the nation's largest producer of clean and reliable energy, Constellation is focused on our purpose: lighting the way to a brilliant tomorrow for all. We have been the leader in clean energy production for more than a decade, and we are cultivating a workplace where our employees can grow, thrive, and contribute. Now integrated with Calpine, our portfolio includes 55 gigawatts of capacity from nuclear, natural gas, geothermal, hydro, wind and solar facilities, with the generating capacity to power the equivalent of 27 million homes.
Our culture and employee experience make it clear: We are powered by passion and purpose. Together, we're creating healthier communities and a cleaner planet, and our people are the driving force behind our success. At Constellation, you can build a fulfilling career with opportunities to learn, grow and make an impact. By doing our best work and meeting new challenges, we can accomplish great things. Join us in meeting the country's energy needs today and tomorrow.
TOTAL REWARDS
Constellation offers an extensive selection of benefits and rewards to help our employees thrive professionally and personally. We provide competitive compensation and a wide-range of benefits that support both employees and their families, helping them prepare for the future. In addition to highly competitive salaries, eligible employees are offered a bonus program, 401(k) with company match, employee stock purchase program; comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits, including robust wellbeing programs; disability and life insurance benefits; paid time off for vacation, holidays, and sick days; and much more.
Starting rate for this role is $69.80 per hour.
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION
Upon the successful completion of Initial License Training (including attainment of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Reactor Operator (RO) License), operate the Nuclear Power Station in accordance with the Licensed Reactor Operators responsibilities as defined in the station operating procedures and in accordance with Operations Department and station policies and practices.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
- In class:
- Candidates attending class with the intent of attaining an RO License.
- Classroom lessons, study time, exam time, and field time required to attain licensed status.
- Other duties as assigned to support site operations.
- Successful completion of Initial Training and/or Watch Station Qualifications.
-
Pass company and NRC issued exams to attain RO license.
-
Once licensed:
- Operate the plant in accordance with approved procedures and within the Limiting Conditions for Operation of the Technical Specifications to ensure the reactor is operated in a safe, conservative, and efficient manner at all times.
- Monitor the reactor and ensure reactor operation remains within established bands.
- Monitor all assigned control room panels and notify the Unit Supervisor regarding unusual or unexpected conditions.
- Maintain cognizance of the activities and work impacting the unit, and the work of the assist RO(s) assigned to the unit.
- Ensure a narrative log of activities occurring on the assigned unit during the shift is maintained.
- Perform clearance activities.
- Coordinate liquid radwaste releases and transfers with the Reactor Operators and the Radwaste Equipment Operators.
- Perform electrical switching from the Control Room.
- Be available for on-call status, rotating shifts - including holiday and weekend work, and serve on the Emergency Response Organization.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
- Successfully pass the Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) and Basic Math and Science Test (BMST) pre-employment tests successfully.
- Pass NRC-required physical examination for licensed operators.
- Ability to complete fire brigade member qualifications based on Operational needs, including physical qualifications (ability to wear a respirator and wear 20-pound oxygen tank). For Fire Brigade and while standing watch in case of fire must wear respirators in control room.
- Obtain unescorted access to Constellation's nuclear power plants.
- Meet or exceed one of the following:
- 6 months performing plant operational duties as a non-licensed operator on-site at the Constellation nuclear power plant for which you are applying as an RO (qualified for all power block and safety system operational duties). Must have 18 months total Power Plant experience.
- 12 months experience performing plant operational duties as a qualified non-licensed operator at a comparable nuclear facility or 18 months at a noncomparable nuclear facility (qualified for all power block and safety system operational duties). Comparable is PWR to PWR or BWR to BWR, and non-comparable is PWR to BWR or BWR to PWR. Must have 18 months total Power Plant experience.
- 6 months performing plant operational duties as an ACTIVE licensed reactor operator at a comparable nuclear facility or 12 months experience at a non-comparable commercial power reactor operator facility. Comparable is PWR to PWR or BWR to BWR, and non-comparable is PWR to BWR or BWR to PWR. Must have 18 months total Power Plant experience.
- 18 months in position equivalent to the reactor operator position at a military Navy Reactor (qualified to manipulate or direct the manipulation of control rods). The equivalent positions are Reactor Operator, Engineering Officer of the Watch / Propulsion Plant Watch Officer, Engineering Watch Supervisor / Propulsion Plant Watch Supervisor.
- 27 months of experience performed in a non-nuclear power production plant during preoperational, startup testing or operational activities. Other acceptable experience includes plant design, construction, technical support, operation, maintenance, or training instruction with respect to petrochemical; similar process plants; or steam propulsion plants.
See all H-1B Visa Reactor Operator Jobs
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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.
H-1B Visa Reactor Operator: 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.