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 5 of 6+ Nuclear Reactor Operator jobs
Location: Covert, MI (On‑site)
Primary Responsibilities:
- Manages core performance monitoring and trending, fuel management and configuration control, and the Special Nuclear Material and Accountability program.
- Evaluates core component lifetime and provides replacement instructions.
- Supports training of Operations and Engineering on fuel and core related topics.
- Serves as the site fuel reliability monitor and champions the fuel reliability program.
- Supports Operations for maneuvers/core analysis/operating limits considerations.
- Serves as a subject matter expert for the reactor core and associated areas.
- Manages reactor core-related surveillances and startup testing.
- Monitors maintenance and revision to Reactor Engineering procedures.
- Supports dry fuel storage-related activities and irradiated core component disposal.
- Implements fuel storage and handling requirements.
- Supports core reload design analysis and batch reload implementation.
Requirements:
- B.S. Degree in Nuclear Engineering or a closely related scientific discipline.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Experience/proficiency in PC use and applications.
- SRO license or certification on a PWR or BWR preferred
- Professional Engineering license preferred
A Generation Ahead by Design™
Investing in people who power the future.
We believe great work deserves great rewards. Our benefits go beyond the basics, reflecting our commitment to supporting your whole self…your health, your future, and your career growth. This includes:
Benefits:
- Industry‑leading medical, dental, and vision coverage with a generous employer premium contribution and Day 1 eligibility!
- FLEX Program – Hybrid work opportunities available for eligible roles, where business needs and role requirements allow
- 401(k) retirement plan with up to a 5% company match and immediate vesting to support long‑term financial security
- Paid time off and 11 paid holidays to support rest, balance, and recharge
- Wellness program offering rewards for participation in company‑supported health initiatives
- Commuter benefits supporting mass transit and commuter parking options
- Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance for added peace of mind
- Education assistance to support continued education and professional growth
- Employee support and voluntary benefits, including an Employee Assistance Program and optional coverage such as disability, legal, identity theft, and insurance programs
- Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on role, location, and employment status
If you’re driven to solve meaningful challenges and make a lasting impact, we invite you to build your career at Holtec—a generation ahead by design™.
Location: Covert, MI (On‑site)
Primary Responsibilities:
- Manages core performance monitoring and trending, fuel management and configuration control, and the Special Nuclear Material and Accountability program.
- Evaluates core component lifetime and provides replacement instructions.
- Supports training of Operations and Engineering on fuel and core related topics.
- Serves as the site fuel reliability monitor and champions the fuel reliability program.
- Supports Operations for maneuvers/core analysis/operating limits considerations.
- Serves as a subject matter expert for the reactor core and associated areas.
- Manages reactor core-related surveillances and startup testing.
- Monitors maintenance and revision to Reactor Engineering procedures.
- Supports dry fuel storage-related activities and irradiated core component disposal.
- Implements fuel storage and handling requirements.
- Supports core reload design analysis and batch reload implementation.
Requirements:
- B.S. Degree in Nuclear Engineering or a closely related scientific discipline.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Experience/proficiency in PC use and applications.
- SRO license or certification on a PWR or BWR preferred
- Professional Engineering license preferred
A Generation Ahead by Design™
Investing in people who power the future.
We believe great work deserves great rewards. Our benefits go beyond the basics, reflecting our commitment to supporting your whole self…your health, your future, and your career growth. This includes:
Benefits:
- Industry‑leading medical, dental, and vision coverage with a generous employer premium contribution and Day 1 eligibility!
- FLEX Program – Hybrid work opportunities available for eligible roles, where business needs and role requirements allow
- 401(k) retirement plan with up to a 5% company match and immediate vesting to support long‑term financial security
- Paid time off and 11 paid holidays to support rest, balance, and recharge
- Wellness program offering rewards for participation in company‑supported health initiatives
- Commuter benefits supporting mass transit and commuter parking options
- Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance for added peace of mind
- Education assistance to support continued education and professional growth
- Employee support and voluntary benefits, including an Employee Assistance Program and optional coverage such as disability, legal, identity theft, and insurance programs
- Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on role, location, and employment status
If you’re driven to solve meaningful challenges and make a lasting impact, we invite you to build your career at Holtec—a generation ahead by design™.
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?
GE Vernova, Entergy, and Michels are hiring the most nuclear reactor operators right now, with openings concentrated in North Carolina, Michigan, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Activity tends to increase at plants approaching a scheduled refueling outage.
How many nuclear reactor operator jobs are remote?
About 67% of nuclear reactor operator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 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
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Nuclear Reactor Operator Jobs