OPT Physics Jobs
Physics OPT jobs span research, data analysis, engineering, and instrumentation roles across academia, national labs, and private industry. Your OPT period gives you up to 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension available for qualifying physics and related degree programs. Employers range from university research groups to defense contractors and semiconductor firms.
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This role is responsible for performing engineering tasks associated with designing, developing, and conducting analyses of a nuclear reactor or nuclear facility.
Job Profile Tasks/Responsibilities
- Perform design, analysis, and evaluation in assigned projects using sound engineering principles and adhering to business standards, practices, procedures, and product/program requirements.
- Support team members with the execution of the core tasks and responsibilities listed in the Job Profile Task/Responsibilities section of this document, under guided supervision.
- Coordinate with engineering team members, partners, and suppliers to facilitate the convergence of efforts, allow design closure, provide design assurance, and deliver high quality engineering work products.
- Collaborate in planning, scheduling, and organizing detailed phases of engineering work.
- Collaborate in the technical oversight and direction of internal or external design teams.
- Facilitate and assist in the assessment of customer needs and capture requirements and functions related to nuclear engineering.
- Execute nuclear engineering assignments with clear and specified objectives; utilize conventional specifications and/or Interface Control Documents and plans.
- Recommend system design alterations and enhancements to improve quality of products and/or procedures from an assembly, transportation, construction, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and/or decommissioning perspective.
- Lead reviews and presentations for internal company design reviews and customer design reviews regarding nuclear design.
- Organize engineering efforts in assigned areas between specialty and other engineering groups or disciplines, with the client, suppliers, contractors, or other groups as required.
- Maintain a professional demeanor and behavior at all times, in all forms of communication.
- Perform other duties as assigned by manager.
Job Profile Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or related degree from an accredited institution.
- Typically, three years of experience in an engineering role for a level II.
- Typically, five years of experience in an engineering role for a level III.
- Typically, ten years of experience in an engineering role for a level IV.
- A master’s degree in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of two years of experience.
- A Ph.D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of three years of experience.
- Previous experience at X-energy exceeding performance standards may be in lieu of years of experience.
- Possess technical experience and proven expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Reactor core design and analysis.
- Radiation shielding design and analysis.
- Nuclear fuel analysis and qualification.
- Criticality safety.
- Reactor multiphysics analysis, especially pertaining to transient analysis.
- Nuclear analysis software development, verification and validation.
- Other areas of nuclear engineering or nuclear physics relevant to the design and analysis of small modular reactors, microreactors, and nuclear facilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with reactor physics codes (ex. MCNP, SCALE, OpenMC).
- Understanding of deterministic methods.
Location: 9801 Washingtonian Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD
Work Site Expectations: 4 days in office
Travel Expectations: Up to 10%
Hours: Standard office hours are 8:00am - 5:00pm ET, Monday – Friday
Compensation
As required by Maryland and other applicable state law, X Energy, LLC (X-energy) lists the expected compensation range for a publicly advertised job opportunity based upon the job requirements (e.g. education/training, experience, skill sets, etc.). Individual candidates who meet the job requirements for the posted position will be offered a salary within this range based on their respective levels of education/training, experience, and other qualifications unique to them. Salary ranges may vary based on the specific office location and region referenced in the posting to take into consideration differences in cost of living and may not be reflective of all regions. Please note that compensation ranges listed for US job postings reflect base salary only and do not include benefits or other incentives.
Offers within the posted salary range are commensurate with the individual’s qualifications for the position, along with a view on internal equity, market data, and room for growth. The salary range for this position is:
- Level II: $107,625 - $122,063
- Level III: $125,000 - $150,000
- Level IV: $155,000 - $185,000
Position Job Classification
Full time - Exempt
Benefits
X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees.
An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
X Energy, LLC participates in E-Verify. Please visit the links below for more information about E-Verify and the protection of your Right to Work.
Right To Work Link: If you have the right to work, don't let anyone take it away (e-verify.gov)
E-Verify Participation Link: E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish
Job Description
This role is responsible for performing engineering tasks associated with designing, developing, and conducting analyses of a nuclear reactor or nuclear facility.
Job Profile Tasks/Responsibilities
- Perform design, analysis, and evaluation in assigned projects using sound engineering principles and adhering to business standards, practices, procedures, and product/program requirements.
- Support team members with the execution of the core tasks and responsibilities listed in the Job Profile Task/Responsibilities section of this document, under guided supervision.
- Coordinate with engineering team members, partners, and suppliers to facilitate the convergence of efforts, allow design closure, provide design assurance, and deliver high quality engineering work products.
- Collaborate in planning, scheduling, and organizing detailed phases of engineering work.
- Collaborate in the technical oversight and direction of internal or external design teams.
- Facilitate and assist in the assessment of customer needs and capture requirements and functions related to nuclear engineering.
- Execute nuclear engineering assignments with clear and specified objectives; utilize conventional specifications and/or Interface Control Documents and plans.
- Recommend system design alterations and enhancements to improve quality of products and/or procedures from an assembly, transportation, construction, commissioning, operations, maintenance, and/or decommissioning perspective.
- Lead reviews and presentations for internal company design reviews and customer design reviews regarding nuclear design.
- Organize engineering efforts in assigned areas between specialty and other engineering groups or disciplines, with the client, suppliers, contractors, or other groups as required.
- Maintain a professional demeanor and behavior at all times, in all forms of communication.
- Perform other duties as assigned by manager.
Job Profile Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or related degree from an accredited institution.
- Typically, three years of experience in an engineering role for a level II.
- Typically, five years of experience in an engineering role for a level III.
- Typically, ten years of experience in an engineering role for a level IV.
- A master’s degree in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of two years of experience.
- A Ph.D. in engineering or related field (may include a combination of experience obtained through an academic institution, e.g., design projects, research, or design teams, as well as professional experience) may be in lieu of three years of experience.
- Previous experience at X-energy exceeding performance standards may be in lieu of years of experience.
- Possess technical experience and proven expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Reactor core design and analysis.
- Radiation shielding design and analysis.
- Nuclear fuel analysis and qualification.
- Criticality safety.
- Reactor multiphysics analysis, especially pertaining to transient analysis.
- Nuclear analysis software development, verification and validation.
- Other areas of nuclear engineering or nuclear physics relevant to the design and analysis of small modular reactors, microreactors, and nuclear facilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with reactor physics codes (ex. MCNP, SCALE, OpenMC).
- Understanding of deterministic methods.
Location: 9801 Washingtonian Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD
Work Site Expectations: 4 days in office
Travel Expectations: Up to 10%
Hours: Standard office hours are 8:00am - 5:00pm ET, Monday – Friday
Compensation
As required by Maryland and other applicable state law, X Energy, LLC (X-energy) lists the expected compensation range for a publicly advertised job opportunity based upon the job requirements (e.g. education/training, experience, skill sets, etc.). Individual candidates who meet the job requirements for the posted position will be offered a salary within this range based on their respective levels of education/training, experience, and other qualifications unique to them. Salary ranges may vary based on the specific office location and region referenced in the posting to take into consideration differences in cost of living and may not be reflective of all regions. Please note that compensation ranges listed for US job postings reflect base salary only and do not include benefits or other incentives.
Offers within the posted salary range are commensurate with the individual’s qualifications for the position, along with a view on internal equity, market data, and room for growth. The salary range for this position is:
- Level II: $107,625 - $122,063
- Level III: $125,000 - $150,000
- Level IV: $155,000 - $185,000
Position Job Classification
Full time - Exempt
Benefits
X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees.
An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
X Energy, LLC participates in E-Verify. Please visit the links below for more information about E-Verify and the protection of your Right to Work.
Right To Work Link: If you have the right to work, don't let anyone take it away (e-verify.gov)
E-Verify Participation Link: E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish
See all 93+ OPT Physics Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Physics Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Physics
Target STEM OPT-eligible employers first
Physics degrees typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, but only with E-Verify employers. Prioritize companies enrolled in E-Verify from the start so your extension eligibility is never in question.
Highlight quantitative and computational skills
Employers hiring physics graduates often care more about your Python, MATLAB, or data modeling experience than your thesis topic. Lead with technical skills in your resume to connect your background to the role.
Look beyond academia for sponsorship pathways
National laboratories, semiconductor companies, and defense contractors regularly hire physics graduates and have established H-1B visa sponsorship pipelines. These employers often have dedicated immigration support teams for international hires.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Tell employers your OPT start date, expiration date, and STEM extension eligibility early in the process. Employers unfamiliar with OPT benefit from knowing you have up to three years of work authorization available.
Connect your research to applied industry problems
Hiring managers outside academia rarely know what your thesis means in practice. Translate your research into outcomes: reduced error rates, improved detection accuracy, faster processing. Concrete results resonate far more than technical jargon.
Apply to roles with specialty occupation alignment
For future H-1B sponsorship, your physics role needs to qualify as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Applied research, instrumentation, and data science roles tied directly to physics align well.
Physics OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do physics degrees qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Physics is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, which means graduates are eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond the standard 12-month period. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you must apply for the extension before your initial OPT expires. That gives you up to 36 months of total work authorization.
What types of employers hire physics OPT students?
Physics graduates work across a wide range of sectors. National laboratories like Argonne, Brookhaven, and the national labs under DOE regularly hire OPT students for research roles. Private sector employers in semiconductors, defense, medical devices, and data science also recruit physics graduates. Migrate Mate filters OPT-friendly listings so you can find employers who actively sponsor international students.
Can I work at a university or research institution on OPT?
Yes, academic and research institution roles are fully compatible with OPT work authorization. However, confirm that any unpaid or stipend-based position meets your OPT employment requirements. USCIS requires that OPT employment be directly related to your degree and, for paid roles, that compensation is consistent with similarly situated U.S. workers in the same field.
Does a physics job qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
Most physics roles do qualify, particularly those in applied research, instrumentation development, computational modeling, and materials science, where a bachelor's degree in physics or a closely related field is a standard requirement. General roles where any science degree would suffice are harder to support. The stronger the connection between the job duties and your specific physics training, the cleaner the specialty occupation argument.
Can I work part-time on OPT as a physics researcher or lab technician?
Yes, part-time OPT employment is permitted during the standard OPT period, defined as fewer than 20 hours per week. During the STEM OPT extension, however, you must work at least 20 hours per week to remain in valid status. If you hold multiple concurrent part-time positions, the combined hours must still meet that threshold during the extension period.