Reactor Operator Jobs
Reactor Operator jobs are open across nuclear power generation, research reactors, and naval facilities, from entry-level licensed operators to senior reactor operators and shift supervisors, with specializations in pressurized water reactors, boiling water reactors, and control room operations. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Overview:
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.
- During initial license training, Total compensation earnings eligibility ranging from $159,000.00 to $182,000.00 per year (depending on experience and past license status) including a 15% annual incentive bonus, an initial sign-on bonus, $10,000 bonus spread through training milestones, a comprehensive benefits package, and a 401k with employer matching on contributions.
- After obtaining SRO license, Total compensation earnings eligibility from $191,000.00 per year, including a target 15% annual bonus, License Premium, as well as, extended hours pay at 1.5 times the base salary (expressed on hourly basis) involving mandated operation shift coverage.
Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance may be offered to those who meet the conditions in the Company’s policy.
Responsibilities:
Constellation is seeking Initial License Trainees (ILT) to become a licensed Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) supporting Dresden Nuclear Station in Morris, IL. These Initial License Trainees (ILT) are for the Dresden Nuclear Station in Morris, IL – ILT class beginning August, 2027.
Primary Purpose of Position
The primary purpose of this position is to train and prepare to perform the duties of an Operations Shift Supervisor who holds a Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) License. Upon completion of training the candidate will be fully licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to supervise the licensed activities of licensed reactor operators in the reactor control room. They will also be trained to directly supervise bargaining unit reactor operators and equipment operators generally.
Primary Duties and Accountabilities
- Attend Initial License Training (ILT) which includes classroom training and examination, along with on-the-job training and evaluation.
- Successfully complete all phases of training to obtain an SRO license in order to perform the duties of an Operations Shift Supervisor.
- Perform other job assignments and duties as directed by management or pursuant to company policy, including but not limited to emergency response, departmental coverage, call outs, and support of outage activities in positions outside the department.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma/GED
- Meet or exceed one of the following: 1 year Reactor Operator license at a comparable facility or 1.5-years at a noncomparable facility. Comparable is PWR to PWR or BWR to BWR and noncomparable is PWR to BWR or BWR to PWR. 1.5-years or more in a position equivalent to Reactor Operator (or Supervisor) at military reactor (i.e., Power Plant Watch Engineer, Engineering Watch Supervisor, Reactor Operator, Engineering Officer of the Watch, Propulsion Plant Watch Supervisor). Must have 1.5-years after qualification. Degree from a 4-year program or equivalent in engineering, engineering technology or physical sciences, or professional engineer license, and more than 1.5-years as a qualified non-licensed operator or a Staff member, Supervisor or Manager in work control, operations, engineering, outage management, maintenance, radiation protection, chemistry, or accredited training at a comparable (BWR or PWR) facility. Managerial, staff engineer, or supervisor experience at noncomparable plant may be credited on a 1.5:1.0 basis (i.e., over 2.25-years required for noncomparable facility), and 3-years required for a nontraditional degree.
- Current or previous SRO Instructor certification and 4 years experience at a comparable facility OR 6 years experience at a non-comparable facility
- Maintain minimum access requirement or unescorted access requirements, as applicable, and favorable medical examination and/or testing in accordance with position duties
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Find Reactor Operator JobsReactor Operator Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Constellation13

- Constellation Energy2

- NextEra Energy2

- Westinghouse Electric Company2

- Clifton E Carter Jr1

Top Industries Hiring
- Energy14
- Technology & Software6
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces5
- Aerospace & Defense2
- Manufacturing2
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in reactor operator jobs.
- Active NRC reactor operator or senior reactor operator license required
- Minimum two years of control room operations experience at a licensed facility
- High school diploma or GED required, with preference for associate or bachelor degree in a technical field
- Demonstrated proficiency in plant emergency operating procedures and abnormal operating procedures
- Experience with one or more specific reactor designs such as pressurized water reactor or boiling water reactor
- Ability to obtain and maintain plant access authorization including background investigation clearance
Tips for Your Reactor Operator Job Search
List your NRC license prominently
Your NRC senior reactor operator or reactor operator license is the first thing hiring managers scan for. Put it at the top of your resume, before your work history, and include the issuing facility and license number so recruiters can verify it immediately.
Tailor your resume to reactor type
Hiring teams filter hard by reactor design. If you have PWR experience, your resume should call that out explicitly in your summary and each role description. Don't make a recruiter guess whether your plant background matches their fleet.
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 openings near active nuclear fleets
Most licensed reactor operator openings cluster around states with multiple operating units. Search by state rather than city, since plant sites are often rural. Filtering by state surfaces roles you'd miss searching by metro area alone.
Prepare for simulator evaluations upfront
Most utilities require a simulator check ride before extending an offer. Request the reactor type and scenario scope from the recruiter before you arrive. Reviewing your normal, abnormal, and emergency operating procedures for that specific design beforehand makes a measurable difference.
Negotiate shift differential and training pay
Reactor operator compensation varies more in shift differential, licensing training stipends, and relocation packages than in base pay. Ask the recruiter to break out each component before you compare offers, not after you've accepted one.
Reactor Operator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most reactor operators?
The companies hiring the most reactor operators right now include Constellation, Constellation Energy, and NextEra Energy, with the largest share of openings in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Arkansas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Utilities operating multiple reactor units tend to post the highest volume of openings as they manage license continuity and shift staffing requirements.
How many reactor operator jobs are remote?
About 7% of reactor operator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the hands-on, security-sensitive nature of most control room roles. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include training and procedure development positions, simulator instructor roles, and technical support functions that don't require direct control room presence.
How do you become a reactor operator?
You become a reactor operator by first meeting the educational baseline, typically a high school diploma with strong coursework in math and science or a technical degree. From there, you secure a position as a non-licensed operator or auxiliary operator at a licensed facility, complete the utility's NRC-approved training program, and then pass the NRC initial licensing exam. The exam includes written tests and an evaluated simulator exercise on normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures specific to your reactor design.
Can you get hired as a reactor operator with little experience?
Yes, you can enter the field without prior reactor experience by starting as a non-licensed operator or auxiliary operator, which is the standard entry path at most utilities. Military nuclear experience, particularly from the Navy's nuclear power program, is highly valued and can shorten the path to NRC licensing significantly. Candidates with a technical degree and strong math background are competitive for these entry-level positions even without prior plant time.
What does the reactor operator interview process look like?
The reactor operator interview process typically begins with a phone screen focused on your license status and plant background, followed by an on-site interview with operations supervisors that covers technical knowledge of plant systems and your responses to specific abnormal and emergency scenarios. Most utilities also require a fitness-for-duty evaluation, a background investigation for plant access authorization, and a simulator evaluation where you demonstrate control room proficiency before a 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 utilities and licensed facilities across the United States. Find the roles that match your license type, reactor design background, and preferred location, then apply directly to each listing from the same place.
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Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any reactor operator role that fits.
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