STEM OPT Nuclear Engineer Jobs
Nuclear Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of F-1 work authorization to build your career in reactor design, fuel cycle analysis, or radiation safety. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree must align with a STEM-designated CIP code in nuclear engineering or a closely related field.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Posting End Date
11-09-2026
Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.
Job Summary
Responsible to the assigned supervisor for performing advanced nuclear licensing and regulatory engineering activities in support of the development, preparation, review, and maintenance of license applications and regulatory submittals to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in accordance with 10 CFR Parts 50, 52, and 53 and other applicable regulatory requirements. Applies advanced engineering and regulatory knowledge to integrate licensing requirements with engineering, design, safety analysis, project development, and stakeholder activities for advanced nuclear projects.
Job Description
What You’ll Do:
-
Technical & Regulatory Expertise:
Develops and applies advanced knowledge of NRC regulations, regulatory guidance, licensing processes, and nuclear industry standards applicable to advanced nuclear development. Supports development, preparation, review, and maintenance of NRC license applications and regulatory submittals under 10 CFR Parts 50, 52, and 53, as applicable. Interprets regulatory requirements and works with engineering and project teams to establish licensing requirements, strategies, and supporting technical information.
-
Licensing Leadership & Guidance:
Provides licensing guidance to engineering, project, and business teams and serves as a technical resource on NRC licensing matters. Leads or coordinates assigned licensing activities and supports development and execution of project licensing strategies, regulatory engagement plans, and licensing schedules.
-
Planning & Organization Ability:
Plans and coordinates licensing activities required to support project milestones and NRC submittals. Integrates licensing deliverables with engineering, design, safety analysis, environmental, siting, project controls, and other project activities. Identifies regulatory dependencies and supports development of licensing schedules, deliverables, responsibilities, and resource requirements.
-
Problem Solving & Initiative:
Identifies and resolves complex licensing and regulatory issues involving multiple engineering disciplines and project organizations. Evaluates regulatory requirements, precedents, guidance, and project-specific technical information to develop practical licensing positions and approaches. Identifies emerging regulatory issues and evaluates their potential impact on project scope, schedule, and licensing strategy.
-
Communication:
Prepares, reviews, and supports presentation of technical and regulatory information for NRC license applications, regulatory submittals, meetings, audits, and other interactions. Communicates complex licensing issues clearly and accurately to project leadership, engineering organizations, regulators, vendors, and other stakeholders. Supports preparation of responses to NRC requests for additional information and other regulatory correspondence.
-
Interpersonal Skills:
Develops effective working relationships across AEP and with reactor technology vendors, architect-engineers, consultants, legal counsel, industry organizations, and regulatory agencies. Coordinates across technical disciplines to produce complete, consistent, and defensible licensing deliverables.
-
Decision Making:
Applies engineering judgment and regulatory knowledge to evaluate licensing issues, requirements, and potential courses of action. Makes or recommends decisions within assigned authority based on regulatory requirements, technical information, project objectives, and licensing risk. Escalates issues with significant regulatory, safety, cost, or schedule implications.
-
Business Awareness & Characteristics:
Understands the relationship between licensing strategy, plant design, project execution, schedule, cost, and commercial objectives for advanced nuclear development. Supports licensing approaches that meet regulatory requirements while enabling efficient project development and execution.
Note: This position is posted at multiple grade levels and offers a range of opportunities for advancement. The minimum qualifications outlined below apply to the Engineer Sr. level, with increased educational, skill or experience requirements for higher level Engineers.
What We’re Looking For:
Education and Experience requirements are listed below:
- Has typically acquired four (4) or more years of related engineering experience along with a Bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited ABET; OR,
-
Two (2) years of related engineering experience along with a Master's degree or PhD in engineering from a program accredited by ABET. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico is encouraged and preferred.
-
ABET - Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
Acceptable alternatives are:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (non-ABET) plus a Master's degree or PhD in engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor's program. Confirmation is required to ensure the PE obtained in Puerto Rico aligns with NCEES standards.
- VP or above may waive the requirement for a degree from a university with a Non-ABET accredited program.
What You’ll Get:
In addition to competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.
Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do!
At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!
Compensation Data
Compensation Grade:
SP20-008
Compensation Range:
$98,993.00 - $151,132.00
The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.
Job Posting End Date
11-09-2026
Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.
Job Summary
Responsible to the assigned supervisor for performing advanced nuclear licensing and regulatory engineering activities in support of the development, preparation, review, and maintenance of license applications and regulatory submittals to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in accordance with 10 CFR Parts 50, 52, and 53 and other applicable regulatory requirements. Applies advanced engineering and regulatory knowledge to integrate licensing requirements with engineering, design, safety analysis, project development, and stakeholder activities for advanced nuclear projects.
Job Description
What You’ll Do:
-
Technical & Regulatory Expertise:
Develops and applies advanced knowledge of NRC regulations, regulatory guidance, licensing processes, and nuclear industry standards applicable to advanced nuclear development. Supports development, preparation, review, and maintenance of NRC license applications and regulatory submittals under 10 CFR Parts 50, 52, and 53, as applicable. Interprets regulatory requirements and works with engineering and project teams to establish licensing requirements, strategies, and supporting technical information.
-
Licensing Leadership & Guidance:
Provides licensing guidance to engineering, project, and business teams and serves as a technical resource on NRC licensing matters. Leads or coordinates assigned licensing activities and supports development and execution of project licensing strategies, regulatory engagement plans, and licensing schedules.
-
Planning & Organization Ability:
Plans and coordinates licensing activities required to support project milestones and NRC submittals. Integrates licensing deliverables with engineering, design, safety analysis, environmental, siting, project controls, and other project activities. Identifies regulatory dependencies and supports development of licensing schedules, deliverables, responsibilities, and resource requirements.
-
Problem Solving & Initiative:
Identifies and resolves complex licensing and regulatory issues involving multiple engineering disciplines and project organizations. Evaluates regulatory requirements, precedents, guidance, and project-specific technical information to develop practical licensing positions and approaches. Identifies emerging regulatory issues and evaluates their potential impact on project scope, schedule, and licensing strategy.
-
Communication:
Prepares, reviews, and supports presentation of technical and regulatory information for NRC license applications, regulatory submittals, meetings, audits, and other interactions. Communicates complex licensing issues clearly and accurately to project leadership, engineering organizations, regulators, vendors, and other stakeholders. Supports preparation of responses to NRC requests for additional information and other regulatory correspondence.
-
Interpersonal Skills:
Develops effective working relationships across AEP and with reactor technology vendors, architect-engineers, consultants, legal counsel, industry organizations, and regulatory agencies. Coordinates across technical disciplines to produce complete, consistent, and defensible licensing deliverables.
-
Decision Making:
Applies engineering judgment and regulatory knowledge to evaluate licensing issues, requirements, and potential courses of action. Makes or recommends decisions within assigned authority based on regulatory requirements, technical information, project objectives, and licensing risk. Escalates issues with significant regulatory, safety, cost, or schedule implications.
-
Business Awareness & Characteristics:
Understands the relationship between licensing strategy, plant design, project execution, schedule, cost, and commercial objectives for advanced nuclear development. Supports licensing approaches that meet regulatory requirements while enabling efficient project development and execution.
Note: This position is posted at multiple grade levels and offers a range of opportunities for advancement. The minimum qualifications outlined below apply to the Engineer Sr. level, with increased educational, skill or experience requirements for higher level Engineers.
What We’re Looking For:
Education and Experience requirements are listed below:
- Has typically acquired four (4) or more years of related engineering experience along with a Bachelor's degree in engineering in a program accredited ABET; OR,
-
Two (2) years of related engineering experience along with a Master's degree or PhD in engineering from a program accredited by ABET. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico is encouraged and preferred.
-
ABET - Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
Acceptable alternatives are:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (non-ABET) plus a Master's degree or PhD in engineering from a university with an ABET accredited Bachelor's program. Confirmation is required to ensure the PE obtained in Puerto Rico aligns with NCEES standards.
- VP or above may waive the requirement for a degree from a university with a Non-ABET accredited program.
What You’ll Get:
In addition to competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.
Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do!
At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!
Compensation Data
Compensation Grade:
SP20-008
Compensation Range:
$98,993.00 - $151,132.00
The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.
See all STEM OPT Nuclear Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Nuclear Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Nuclear Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Nuclear Engineering degrees typically fall under CIP code 14.2301, but degrees in health physics, radiological science, or materials science may also qualify. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before your OPT start date so there's no delay activating the extension.
Check E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify for your STEM OPT extension to be valid. Search the E-Verify employer search tool or ask your recruiter for the company's E-Verify ID number before signing an offer letter.
Target national labs and NRC-licensed facilities
National laboratories and facilities holding NRC operating licenses have established processes for hiring international engineers on OPT. These employers routinely file LCAs through DOL and are structurally set up to support the I-983 training plan requirement.
Build your I-983 training plan around reactor-specific goals
Your I-983 must connect your nuclear engineering degree to specific job duties, like neutron flux calculations or containment system modeling. Vague training objectives get flagged by DSOs. Draft role-specific learning goals before your first day and align them with your actual project assignments.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for E-Verify employers
Search for Nuclear Engineer roles on Migrate Mate, which filters listings for employers enrolled in E-Verify and with documented OPT hiring history. This cuts the manual verification step and surfaces employers who already understand STEM OPT requirements.
File your H-1B registration before OPT expires to trigger cap-gap
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition before April 1 and USCIS receives it by October 1, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization automatically. Coordinate with your employer's legal team in January to confirm registration timing and avoid any gap in authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a nuclear engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, nuclear engineering degrees are covered under STEM-designated CIP codes, most commonly 14.2301. Degrees in closely related fields like health physics, radiological engineering, or nuclear materials science may also qualify depending on how your institution filed the CIP code. Confirm the exact code on your I-20 with your DSO before submitting your STEM OPT extension application to USCIS.
What does the I-983 training plan require for a Nuclear Engineer role?
The I-983 requires you and your employer to document how your job duties directly relate to your STEM degree. For nuclear engineers, this means listing specific tasks like neutronics modeling, reactor safety analysis, or radiation shielding design, along with measurable learning objectives and your supervisor's contact information. Your DSO must approve the plan before your extension begins, and your employer must re-attest every 12 months.
How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
USCIS requires all STEM OPT employers to be enrolled in E-Verify. You can verify enrollment by asking your HR contact for the company's E-Verify Client ID or by searching the E-Verify employer search tool directly. If the employer isn't enrolled, your STEM OPT extension is invalid even if USCIS has already approved it, so confirm enrollment before your start date, not after.
Can I work at a nuclear power plant or national laboratory on STEM OPT?
Yes, but NRC-licensed facilities and national laboratories often require security clearances or site access authorization, which can take weeks to months for international workers. Some positions involving access to restricted data may have limitations for non-U.S. persons under NRC regulations. Clarify the clearance timeline and any access restrictions with the employer before accepting an offer so it doesn't affect your OPT start date.
Where can I find Nuclear Engineer jobs from E-Verify employers?
Migrate Mate lists Nuclear Engineer openings filtered for employers enrolled in E-Verify and with documented STEM OPT hiring history, so you're not manually cross-referencing employer enrollment status for every application. Nuclear engineer roles with active LCA filings, which signal that an employer has already gone through DOL prevailing-wage certification for similar positions, appear alongside standard postings so you can prioritize employers already familiar with the process.