Reactor Operator Jobs
Reactor Operator jobs are open across nuclear power generation, research reactors, and naval facilities, at every level 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 3 of 13+ 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.
Position Summary
Responsible for participating and completing Senior Reactor Operator training to obtain the skills required for ensuring safe operation of the plant by overseeing control room operations to comply with all licensing and regulatory requirements and company requirements for generation capacity; coordinating operations with other plant groups; and maintaining operations data and records.
Essential Responsibilities
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills to ensure the nuclear generating plant operates safely and remains in compliance with plant requirements and governmental regulations. Trainees learn to verify the nuclear plant is operated in accordance with technical specifications and licensing basis.
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills to effectively oversee activities of Control Room Operators and Auxiliary Operators and to investigate Operational problems and evaluate for plant impact. Trainee will also learn to effectively coordinator shift activities with plant work schedule.
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills needed to perform administrative functions related to plant operational requirements. Trainees learn to issue Maintenance work requests and to maintain current plant logging requirements.
- Must complete all training required as evidenced by successfully passing any and all required licensing exams.
Minimum Requirements
Must meet one of the following items per ACAD 10-01:
1. Certified Instructor with greater than 4 years commercial nuclear experience
2. Licensed reactor operator duties as an ACTIVE* RO for 12 Months or more at Monticello or Prairie Island
3. 12 months or more as an ACTIVE* RO or SRO at a commercial power reactor facility of the same vendor and vintage
4. 18 months or more as an ACTIVE* RO or SRO at a noncomparable commercial power reactor facility
5. 18 months or more in a position equivalent to a reactor operator position at a military reactor? (qualified to manipulate or direct the manipulation of control rods)
- reactor operator
- engineering officer of the watch
- propulsion plant watch officer
- engineering watch supervisor
- propulsion plant watch supervisor
6. BS degree or equivalent in engineering, engineering technology or related sciences; or has a professional engineer license.
- 18 months of experience at a comparable nuclear power facility or military reactor
- 27 months of experience at a non-comparable power generation facility
7. A non-traditional degree with the following:
- 36 months of nuclear experience for a nontraditional degree
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: $46.60 to $70.00 per hour This position is eligible for the following benefits: Spot On Bonus, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental LeaveBenefit 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: 04/25/27EEO 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.
Position Summary
Responsible for participating and completing Senior Reactor Operator training to obtain the skills required for ensuring safe operation of the plant by overseeing control room operations to comply with all licensing and regulatory requirements and company requirements for generation capacity; coordinating operations with other plant groups; and maintaining operations data and records.
Essential Responsibilities
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills to ensure the nuclear generating plant operates safely and remains in compliance with plant requirements and governmental regulations. Trainees learn to verify the nuclear plant is operated in accordance with technical specifications and licensing basis.
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills to effectively oversee activities of Control Room Operators and Auxiliary Operators and to investigate Operational problems and evaluate for plant impact. Trainee will also learn to effectively coordinator shift activities with plant work schedule.
- Learn and obtain the necessary skills needed to perform administrative functions related to plant operational requirements. Trainees learn to issue Maintenance work requests and to maintain current plant logging requirements.
- Must complete all training required as evidenced by successfully passing any and all required licensing exams.
Minimum Requirements
Must meet one of the following items per ACAD 10-01:
1. Certified Instructor with greater than 4 years commercial nuclear experience
2. Licensed reactor operator duties as an ACTIVE* RO for 12 Months or more at Monticello or Prairie Island
3. 12 months or more as an ACTIVE* RO or SRO at a commercial power reactor facility of the same vendor and vintage
4. 18 months or more as an ACTIVE* RO or SRO at a noncomparable commercial power reactor facility
5. 18 months or more in a position equivalent to a reactor operator position at a military reactor? (qualified to manipulate or direct the manipulation of control rods)
- reactor operator
- engineering officer of the watch
- propulsion plant watch officer
- engineering watch supervisor
- propulsion plant watch supervisor
6. BS degree or equivalent in engineering, engineering technology or related sciences; or has a professional engineer license.
- 18 months of experience at a comparable nuclear power facility or military reactor
- 27 months of experience at a non-comparable power generation facility
7. A non-traditional degree with the following:
- 36 months of nuclear experience for a nontraditional degree
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: $46.60 to $70.00 per hour This position is eligible for the following benefits: Spot On Bonus, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental LeaveBenefit 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: 04/25/27EEO 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 13 Reactor Operator Jobs
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Find Reactor Operator JobsReactor Operator Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in reactor operator jobs.
- Active NRC Senior Reactor Operator or Reactor Operator license at a commercial nuclear facility
- Minimum two to five years of licensed operator experience in a control room environment
- Demonstrated proficiency with emergency operating procedures and abnormal event response
- Completion of an NRC-accredited initial license training program or equivalent utility program
- Experience with pressurized water reactor or boiling water reactor systems and auxiliaries
- High school diploma or GED required, with preference for an associate or bachelor's degree in a technical field
Tips for Your Reactor Operator Job Search
Highlight your NRC license prominently
Your Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Reactor Operator or Reactor Operator license belongs in the header of your resume, not buried in a certifications section. Hiring managers screen for it immediately, and missing it costs you interviews.
Tailor your resume to reactor type
Pressurized water reactor and boiling water reactor experience are not interchangeable to most hiring managers. Specify your reactor type, coolant system experience, and simulator training hours so screeners can match you to their plant's exact configuration.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists reactor operator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target utility fleets, not just single plants
Large utility operators run multiple reactors across several states and often post openings at the fleet level. Searching by the parent utility company rather than a single plant name surfaces more active openings you'd otherwise miss.
Prepare for simulator-based technical interviews
Most nuclear utilities include an evaluated simulator run as part of the hiring process. Review your emergency operating procedures, practice abnormal event responses out loud, and be ready to talk through your decision-making at each step.
Negotiate your shift differential upfront
Reactor operators work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays. Shift differentials vary significantly by utility and are negotiable at offer time. Ask the recruiter to itemize base pay, differential rates, and overtime structure before you accept.
Reactor Operator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most reactor operators?
Constellation Energy, TRCC, and Arkema are hiring the most reactor operators right now, with openings concentrated in New York, Ohio, and Georgia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Hiring activity tends to track closely with scheduled refueling outages and license renewal cycles at individual plants.
How many reactor operator jobs are remote?
About 50% of reactor operator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, as the role requires physical presence in a licensed facility control room. Administrative, training, and procedure-writing roles within nuclear operations departments are the most likely to offer any degree of remote flexibility.
How do you become a reactor operator?
You start by completing a high school diploma or technical degree, then apply to a utility's nuclear operator training program, which typically combines classroom instruction, systems walkthroughs, and simulator hours. After completing the program you must pass the NRC written and operating tests to earn your Reactor Operator license. Maintaining the license requires passing annual operating tests and periodic requalification evaluations at your licensed facility.
How do you get hired as a reactor operator with little or no experience?
Most utilities hire entry-level candidates into non-licensed operator or auxiliary operator roles first, where you gain plant systems familiarity before entering a license training program. Military veterans with nuclear propulsion experience from submarine or surface ship service are heavily recruited and often receive credit toward training hours. Targeting utilities that run formal apprenticeship or initial license training pipelines is the most reliable path when you're starting out.
What does the reactor operator interview process look like?
The process typically begins with a technical phone screen covering plant systems knowledge and your licensing background, followed by an on-site panel interview with operations managers and a training supervisor. Most utilities then require a simulator evaluation where you respond to normal and emergency scenarios with an evaluator watching. Background checks, drug screening, and a psychological evaluation are standard before any conditional offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to reactor operator jobs?
You can find and apply to reactor operator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from nuclear utilities and research facilities across the United States. Find the roles that fit your license type and experience level and apply directly to each listing from the same place.
See All 13 Reactor Operator Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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