Nuclear Reactor Operator Jobs
Nuclear Reactor Operator jobs are open across commercial nuclear power plants, naval facilities, and government research installations, from entry-level licensed operator to senior reactor operator and shift supervisor, with specializations in pressurized water reactors, boiling water reactors, and control room operations. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 4 of 6+ Nuclear Reactor Operator jobs
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.
At Xcel Energy, our employees are the driving force behind our success. So we make sure that, here, you can be your best. Doing work that makes a difference for neighbors and communities. Working with a team you can count on to push you. Expanding skills, staying ready for change, and capturing opportunities to grow. All with the support, rewards and recognition you need to thrive – during your internship and beyond.
We are looking for two interns with Nuclear Engineering majors, one for the Prairie Island nuclear plant and one for the Monticello nuclear plant. Both interns will be assigned to the reactor engineering group, which is a fleet group covering both plants.
The Reactor Engineer interns will perform tasks to assist with monitoring the nuclear reactor cores, analyzing trend data from the reactor, assist with process improvements to enhance core and nuclear fuel monitoring.
Typical intern responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
Review nuclear core and plant reactor daily trend data
Generate procedure change requests for reactor engineering procedures
Assist with new nuclear fuel receipt
Improve/automate data collection and analysis related to reactor core components and thermal limits
This position is for a May 24, 2027 start date. This position may have the possibility to extend beyond the internship’s initial term based on the candidate’s successful performance and Xcel Energy’s business needs.
Minimum Requirements:
Current student, Junior or higher
Enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Nuclear Engineering
Able to work full-time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week)/ part time during the school year (up to 20 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in-person, per our hybrid work policy.
Preferred Qualifications:
Interest in the energy industry and the future of energy.
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: $23.10 to $24.60 per hour This position is eligible for the following benefits: Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), HolidaysBenefit 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: 10/15/26EEO 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.
At Xcel Energy, our employees are the driving force behind our success. So we make sure that, here, you can be your best. Doing work that makes a difference for neighbors and communities. Working with a team you can count on to push you. Expanding skills, staying ready for change, and capturing opportunities to grow. All with the support, rewards and recognition you need to thrive – during your internship and beyond.
We are looking for two interns with Nuclear Engineering majors, one for the Prairie Island nuclear plant and one for the Monticello nuclear plant. Both interns will be assigned to the reactor engineering group, which is a fleet group covering both plants.
The Reactor Engineer interns will perform tasks to assist with monitoring the nuclear reactor cores, analyzing trend data from the reactor, assist with process improvements to enhance core and nuclear fuel monitoring.
Typical intern responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
Review nuclear core and plant reactor daily trend data
Generate procedure change requests for reactor engineering procedures
Assist with new nuclear fuel receipt
Improve/automate data collection and analysis related to reactor core components and thermal limits
This position is for a May 24, 2027 start date. This position may have the possibility to extend beyond the internship’s initial term based on the candidate’s successful performance and Xcel Energy’s business needs.
Minimum Requirements:
Current student, Junior or higher
Enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Nuclear Engineering
Able to work full-time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week)/ part time during the school year (up to 20 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in-person, per our hybrid work policy.
Preferred Qualifications:
Interest in the energy industry and the future of energy.
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: $23.10 to $24.60 per hour This position is eligible for the following benefits: Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), HolidaysBenefit 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: 10/15/26EEO 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 6 Nuclear Reactor Operator Jobs
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Find Nuclear Reactor Operator JobsNuclear Reactor Operator Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Construction & Real Estate
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in nuclear reactor operator jobs.
- Active NRC Senior Reactor Operator or Reactor Operator license for a commercial nuclear facility
- Minimum of two years of licensed control room experience at a commercial nuclear power plant
- Proficiency with plant emergency operating procedures and abnormal operating procedures
- Experience with pressurized water reactor or boiling water reactor systems and safety instrumentation
- Familiarity with 10 CFR Part 50 regulatory requirements and nuclear quality assurance programs
- High school diploma or equivalent required, with an associate or bachelor's degree in nuclear technology preferred
Tips for Your Nuclear Reactor Operator Job Search
List your NRC license prominently
Your Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Reactor Operator or Reactor Operator license is the single credential hiring managers scan for first. Put it in your resume header directly beneath your name so it's visible before a recruiter reads a single bullet point.
Tailor your resume to reactor type
Hiring teams at PWR plants often filter out candidates whose experience is exclusively on BWR units and vice versa. Explicitly name the reactor design you've operated and the number of licensed fuel cycles you've completed on that specific platform.
Target outage-season postings strategically
Nuclear plants concentrate hiring in the six months before a scheduled refueling outage. Search for openings between spring and early fall, when operators with outage experience are in the highest demand and competition for licensed candidates peaks.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists nuclear reactor operator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for simulator-based technical interviews
Most utility hiring processes include a graded simulator evaluation before an offer is extended. Refresh your emergency operating procedures and practice articulating your thought process during casualty responses out loud, because interviewers score your decision-making narration, not just your actions.
Negotiate your shift differential upfront
Reactor operators work rotating shift schedules including nights, weekends, and holidays. Raise shift-differential rates and schedule rotation frequency during the offer conversation, not after you've accepted, because these terms are rarely revisited once a start date is set.
Nuclear Reactor Operator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most nuclear reactor operators?
Michels, Duke Energy, and Xcel Energy are hiring the most nuclear reactor operators right now, with openings concentrated in Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Activity tends to increase at plants approaching a scheduled refueling outage.
How many nuclear reactor operator jobs are remote?
About 100% of nuclear reactor operator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting that most licensed control room duties require physical presence at the plant. The sub-areas most likely to offer any remote flexibility include regulatory compliance advisory roles and simulator instructor positions that fall under the broader operator career path.
How do you become a nuclear reactor operator?
You start by earning a high school diploma and applying for an operator trainee position at a nuclear utility, which typically leads to an NRC-approved initial license training program lasting one to two years. You then sit for the NRC written examination and a simulator-based operating test. After passing, you receive your Reactor Operator license, and additional experience qualifies you to test for a Senior Reactor Operator license.
Can you get hired as a nuclear reactor operator with little experience?
Yes, utilities regularly hire operator trainees and non-licensed operators who have no prior reactor experience, particularly candidates with military nuclear training, a degree in nuclear technology, or a background in conventional power generation. These entry points feed directly into formal NRC initial license training programs, so prior nuclear plant experience is a strong advantage but not always a requirement to get your first role.
What does the nuclear reactor operator interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a phone screen focused on your license status and reactor-type background, followed by an in-person technical interview where you walk through plant systems, emergency operating procedures, and past casualty responses. Most utilities then require a graded simulator evaluation before extending an offer. Background checks, drug screening, and a psychological assessment for unescorted access authorization are standard final steps before a start date is confirmed.
Where can I find and apply to nuclear reactor operator jobs?
You can find and apply to nuclear reactor operator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from nuclear utilities and government facilities across the United States. Search for roles that match your license type and reactor experience, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background.
See All 6 Nuclear Reactor Operator Jobs
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