STEM OPT Physics Jobs
Physics graduates on STEM OPT get up to 36 months of work authorization, 12 initial plus a 24-month STEM extension, to work in roles like research scientist, data physicist, or quantitative analyst. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your Physics degree must match a qualifying STEM CIP code.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
This role contributes to company objectives in the field of reactor physics and technology. This role is intended for a current or future subject matter expert in the areas of neutron transport, cross section generation, and code development/maintenance in these areas. This role also supports software documentation and validation, user training, and customer interfacing for lattice physics codes (LANCR) and the 3D core simulator (PANAC).
This role is within the Reactor Physics Technology (RPT) team, which is responsible for the development, maintenance, analytics, technical consultation, and licensing stewardship of engineering computer codes, correlations, and methodologies related to Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). RPT is also responsible for supporting customers with emergent questions in the areas of reactor neutronics, thermal-hydraulics, and instrumentation physics and contributes to the nuclear and thermal-hydraulic design of new fuel products.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Programming experience with Fortran and Python.
- Responsible for leading the technical development, accuracy and uncertainty qualification, testing, verification, regulatory licensing, and maintenance of analytical methods required for evaluation of steady-state and transient core/fuel performance of nuclear reactors.
- Work within an approved regulatory framework for nuclear software quality assurance for engineering computer programs.
- Prepare, document and present technical data to internal and external customers.
- Contribute to and lead team process improvements to drive speed and simplification.
- Communicate with internal/external users of the methods through support, documentation, and training.
- Ensure work is performed with high quality in accordance with NRC rules and regulations, customer requirements, and business quality assurance standards.
- Drive a team culture based on teamwork, integrity, candor, transparency, and execution on commitments.
- Effectively communicate and coordinate activities with other team members on engineering/technical issues.
- Assist and provide support to the team technical leader and functional manager to plan, status and execute projects.
- Support the interface with various regulatory agencies (NRC, DOE, etc.) as appropriate.
- Honest and straightforward with a high level of personal integrity.
- Detail oriented and accountable for results.
- Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in a team.
- Displays a strong drive for continuous improvement.
- Displays an engaging, can-do, optimistic attitude.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong analytical capabilities, problem solving skills, and process skills.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in computer science, computational methods, nuclear engineering, or a closely related technical discipline AND minimum of 4 years of experience in nuclear methods development/neutron transport/lattice physics/nuclear cross section generation
OR
- Master’s degree from an accredited university or college in computer science, computational methods, nuclear engineering, or a closely related technical discipline AND minimum of 2 years of experience in nuclear methods development/neutron transport/lattice physics/nuclear cross section generation
OR
- Ph.D. from an accredited university or college computer science, computational methods, nuclear engineering, or a closely related technical discipline with a thesis in nuclear methods development/neutron transport/lattice physics/nuclear cross section generation
DESIRED:
- Ph.D. in computer science, computational methods, nuclear engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- Prior experience with deterministic and stochastic neutron transport (e.g., TGBLA/PANAC or CASMO/SIMULATE), including development of related codes and tools.
- Prior experience with nuclear cross section generation.
- Working knowledge of nuclear reactor core licensing, technical specifications, safety margin bases, code methodology licensing, and related federal regulations.
- Publication of technical articles and/or patent applications.
- Demonstrated ability to make decisions with speed and accuracy based on the best available information.
- Exceptional organization skills.
- Legacy of delivering on commitments; tenacious, with a proven track record of overcoming obstacles; ability to achieve stretch targets.
- Strong external focus; clear and demonstrated understanding of nuclear industry and/or energy industry.
- Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent quality certification.
This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. If applicable, final offers will be contingent on ability to obtain authorization for access to U.S. export-controlled information from the U.S. Government.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
GE Vernova offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Vernova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
GE Vernova will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROVIDED: Yes
For candidates applying to a U.S. based position, the pay range for this position is between $85,600.00 and $164,000.00. The Company pays a geographic differential of 110%, 120% or 130% of salary in certain areas. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set.
Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus.
This posting is expected to remain open for at least seven days after it was posted on May 14, 2026.
Available benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to Health Coach from GE Vernova, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability benefits, life insurance, 12 paid holidays, and permissive time off.
GE Vernova Inc. or its affiliates (collectively or individually, “GE Vernova”) sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs GE Vernova reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a GE Vernova welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.
INTRODUCTION
This role contributes to company objectives in the field of reactor physics and technology. This role is intended for a current or future subject matter expert in the areas of neutron transport, cross section generation, and code development/maintenance in these areas. This role also supports software documentation and validation, user training, and customer interfacing for lattice physics codes (LANCR) and the 3D core simulator (PANAC).
This role is within the Reactor Physics Technology (RPT) team, which is responsible for the development, maintenance, analytics, technical consultation, and licensing stewardship of engineering computer codes, correlations, and methodologies related to Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). RPT is also responsible for supporting customers with emergent questions in the areas of reactor neutronics, thermal-hydraulics, and instrumentation physics and contributes to the nuclear and thermal-hydraulic design of new fuel products.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Programming experience with Fortran and Python.
- Responsible for leading the technical development, accuracy and uncertainty qualification, testing, verification, regulatory licensing, and maintenance of analytical methods required for evaluation of steady-state and transient core/fuel performance of nuclear reactors.
- Work within an approved regulatory framework for nuclear software quality assurance for engineering computer programs.
- Prepare, document and present technical data to internal and external customers.
- Contribute to and lead team process improvements to drive speed and simplification.
- Communicate with internal/external users of the methods through support, documentation, and training.
- Ensure work is performed with high quality in accordance with NRC rules and regulations, customer requirements, and business quality assurance standards.
- Drive a team culture based on teamwork, integrity, candor, transparency, and execution on commitments.
- Effectively communicate and coordinate activities with other team members on engineering/technical issues.
- Assist and provide support to the team technical leader and functional manager to plan, status and execute projects.
- Support the interface with various regulatory agencies (NRC, DOE, etc.) as appropriate.
- Honest and straightforward with a high level of personal integrity.
- Detail oriented and accountable for results.
- Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in a team.
- Displays a strong drive for continuous improvement.
- Displays an engaging, can-do, optimistic attitude.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong analytical capabilities, problem solving skills, and process skills.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in computer science, computational methods, nuclear engineering, or a closely related technical discipline AND minimum of 4 years of experience in nuclear methods development/neutron transport/lattice physics/nuclear cross section generation
OR
- Master’s degree from an accredited university or college in computer science, computational methods, nuclear engineering, or a closely related technical discipline AND minimum of 2 years of experience in nuclear methods development/neutron transport/lattice physics/nuclear cross section generation
OR
- Ph.D. from an accredited university or college computer science, computational methods, nuclear engineering, or a closely related technical discipline with a thesis in nuclear methods development/neutron transport/lattice physics/nuclear cross section generation
DESIRED:
- Ph.D. in computer science, computational methods, nuclear engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- Prior experience with deterministic and stochastic neutron transport (e.g., TGBLA/PANAC or CASMO/SIMULATE), including development of related codes and tools.
- Prior experience with nuclear cross section generation.
- Working knowledge of nuclear reactor core licensing, technical specifications, safety margin bases, code methodology licensing, and related federal regulations.
- Publication of technical articles and/or patent applications.
- Demonstrated ability to make decisions with speed and accuracy based on the best available information.
- Exceptional organization skills.
- Legacy of delivering on commitments; tenacious, with a proven track record of overcoming obstacles; ability to achieve stretch targets.
- Strong external focus; clear and demonstrated understanding of nuclear industry and/or energy industry.
- Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent quality certification.
This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. If applicable, final offers will be contingent on ability to obtain authorization for access to U.S. export-controlled information from the U.S. Government.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
GE Vernova offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Vernova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
GE Vernova will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROVIDED: Yes
For candidates applying to a U.S. based position, the pay range for this position is between $85,600.00 and $164,000.00. The Company pays a geographic differential of 110%, 120% or 130% of salary in certain areas. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set.
Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus.
This posting is expected to remain open for at least seven days after it was posted on May 14, 2026.
Available benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to Health Coach from GE Vernova, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability benefits, life insurance, 12 paid holidays, and permissive time off.
GE Vernova Inc. or its affiliates (collectively or individually, “GE Vernova”) sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs GE Vernova reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a GE Vernova welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.
See all 1,196+ STEM OPT Physics Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Physics Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Physics
Confirm your CIP code before applying
Physics degrees typically fall under CIP code 40.08, but concentrations like applied physics or astrophysics may carry different codes. Pull your transcript and verify your program's exact CIP code with your DSO before you start applications.
Filter employers by E-Verify enrollment status
An employer who isn't enrolled in E-Verify cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT extension. Use the E-Verify employer search to confirm enrollment before investing time in interviews or offer negotiations.
Target national labs and research institutions early
National laboratories like Argonne, Fermilab, and Oak Ridge regularly hire Physics STEM OPT students and have established I-983 training plan processes. Starting outreach six months before your initial OPT expires gives procurement cycles time to move.
Build your I-983 training plan around measurable outcomes
USCIS requires the I-983 to show how the training relates directly to your Physics degree. Frame each goal around specific technical skills, Monte Carlo simulations, spectroscopy, or detector calibration, not generic job duties. Vague plans draw RFEs.
Use Migrate Mate to find Physics roles at E-Verify employers
Search Migrate Mate to surface Physics positions at employers already verified for E-Verify enrollment, so you're not discovering compliance gaps after an offer. Filter by STEM OPT eligibility to focus your applications where authorization is already supported.
Understand cap-gap protection if H-1B is filed
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition before your STEM OPT expires and it's selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. Confirm the petition's timely filing receipt with your employer's HR team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Physics degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension?
Physics degrees generally qualify, but eligibility depends on the specific CIP code your program was classified under at your institution. Common qualifying codes include 40.08 (Physics, General) and related concentrations. Your DSO verifies eligibility and issues the updated I-20. Confirm your program's CIP code with your school's international student office before assuming you qualify.
What E-Verify requirement applies to STEM OPT employers in Physics?
Any employer who wants to hire you on a STEM OPT extension must be actively enrolled in E-Verify for the hiring location. This isn't optional. If a physics lab, tech company, or national laboratory isn't enrolled, they cannot extend your work authorization regardless of how well you fit the role. Use the E-Verify employer search tool to confirm enrollment before accepting any offer.
What goes into an I-983 training plan for a Physics STEM OPT role?
The I-983 must document how your job duties directly relate to your Physics degree. For physics roles, this means detailing specific technical training areas, computational modeling, experimental design, data analysis, or instrumentation, and tying each to your academic background. Both you and your employer sign it, and your DSO must approve it. Generic job descriptions without academic connection risk rejection by USCIS.
How do I find Physics jobs where employers are already set up for STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lets you search Physics roles filtered by employers enrolled in E-Verify, so you can focus your applications on opportunities where your STEM OPT authorization is already supported. This saves time you'd otherwise spend vetting compliance status during the offer stage, when switching employers becomes costly and time-sensitive.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my Physics employer files an H-1B petition for me?
If your employer files a timely H-1B petition before your STEM OPT end date and it's selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization automatically through September 30 of that year. Your EAD doesn't need to be renewed during cap-gap. If the H-1B isn't selected, your STEM OPT authorization ends on its original expiration date, so have a contingency plan ready.