Reactor Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Reactor engineers design, analyze, and optimize nuclear reactor systems for power plants, research facilities, and naval applications. The specialized nature of reactor engineering, requiring nuclear engineering degrees, radiological safety expertise, and advanced thermal-hydraulics knowledge, makes most positions specialty occupation eligible for H-1B visa, E-3 visa, and TN visa sponsorship. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition: Nuclear Reactor Engineer (RXE)
Location: Palisades Energy
Holtec Palisades seeks qualified applicants for the position of Nuclear Reactor Engineer (RXE) in its Engineering department based at Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert, MI. Palisades is positioned to become the first nuclear power plant in the United States to restart after previously entering the early stages of decommissioning. By joining our team, you will be part of a unique and historic undertaking for the nuclear industry and the nation!
About The Position
The position involves providing technical leadership for reactor core performance and monitoring within Holtec Palisades. The role focuses on advocating for nuclear fuel reliability, managing fuel and special nuclear material accountability, and offering technical assistance to operations to ensure conservative reactivity management and decision-making. The position may be filled at various engineering levels (I, II, III, or Sr) based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.
Responsibilities
- Manages core performance monitoring and trending, fuel management and configuration control, and the Special Nuclear Material and Accountability program.
- Evaluates core component lifetime and provides replacement instructions.
- Supports training of Operations and Engineering on fuel and core related topics.
- Serves as the site fuel reliability monitor and champions the fuel reliability program.
- Supports Operations for maneuvers/core analysis/operating limits considerations.
- Serves as a subject matter expert for the reactor core and associated areas.
- Manages reactor core-related surveillances and startup testing.
- Monitors maintenance and revision to Reactor Engineering procedures.
- Supports dry fuel storage-related activities and irradiated core component disposal.
- Implements fuel storage and handling requirements.
- Supports core reload design analysis and batch reload implementation.
Requirements
- B.S. Degree in Nuclear Engineering or a closely related scientific discipline.
- Good to excellent communication skills.
- Experience/proficiency in PC use and applications.
Desired Licenses/Certificates
- SRO license or certification on a PWR or BWR.
- Professional Engineering license.
Holtec Palisades offers its employees a robust rewards package which includes: a competitive salary; a broad benefits package including medical/RX, dental, vision, life, disability, hospitalization, and other valuable voluntary options; time-off programs; 401(k) with employer match; professional and career development opportunities; and an unmatched culture focused on client service, quality, and tireless pursuit of excellence in all we do.
As a technology trailblazer and a prominent innovator in clean energy (nuclear and solar) industry, Holtec strives to foster a meritocratic work environment conducive to continuous learning and professional growth of its associates.
Holtec is an equal opportunity employer with a long-standing commitment to social equity and environmental justice. The company gives special preference to disabled veterans as a part of its recruitment policy.
Position: Nuclear Reactor Engineer (RXE)
Location: Palisades Energy
Holtec Palisades seeks qualified applicants for the position of Nuclear Reactor Engineer (RXE) in its Engineering department based at Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert, MI. Palisades is positioned to become the first nuclear power plant in the United States to restart after previously entering the early stages of decommissioning. By joining our team, you will be part of a unique and historic undertaking for the nuclear industry and the nation!
About The Position
The position involves providing technical leadership for reactor core performance and monitoring within Holtec Palisades. The role focuses on advocating for nuclear fuel reliability, managing fuel and special nuclear material accountability, and offering technical assistance to operations to ensure conservative reactivity management and decision-making. The position may be filled at various engineering levels (I, II, III, or Sr) based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.
Responsibilities
- Manages core performance monitoring and trending, fuel management and configuration control, and the Special Nuclear Material and Accountability program.
- Evaluates core component lifetime and provides replacement instructions.
- Supports training of Operations and Engineering on fuel and core related topics.
- Serves as the site fuel reliability monitor and champions the fuel reliability program.
- Supports Operations for maneuvers/core analysis/operating limits considerations.
- Serves as a subject matter expert for the reactor core and associated areas.
- Manages reactor core-related surveillances and startup testing.
- Monitors maintenance and revision to Reactor Engineering procedures.
- Supports dry fuel storage-related activities and irradiated core component disposal.
- Implements fuel storage and handling requirements.
- Supports core reload design analysis and batch reload implementation.
Requirements
- B.S. Degree in Nuclear Engineering or a closely related scientific discipline.
- Good to excellent communication skills.
- Experience/proficiency in PC use and applications.
Desired Licenses/Certificates
- SRO license or certification on a PWR or BWR.
- Professional Engineering license.
Holtec Palisades offers its employees a robust rewards package which includes: a competitive salary; a broad benefits package including medical/RX, dental, vision, life, disability, hospitalization, and other valuable voluntary options; time-off programs; 401(k) with employer match; professional and career development opportunities; and an unmatched culture focused on client service, quality, and tireless pursuit of excellence in all we do.
As a technology trailblazer and a prominent innovator in clean energy (nuclear and solar) industry, Holtec strives to foster a meritocratic work environment conducive to continuous learning and professional growth of its associates.
Holtec is an equal opportunity employer with a long-standing commitment to social equity and environmental justice. The company gives special preference to disabled veterans as a part of its recruitment policy.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Reactor Engineer
Emphasize nuclear security clearance pathways
Many reactor engineering roles require security clearances, which are typically restricted to U.S. citizens. Target positions at universities, civilian nuclear facilities, or private research companies that work on unclassified projects.
Highlight your reactor physics background
Nuclear engineering degrees with reactor physics, neutronics, or thermal-hydraulics coursework directly support specialty occupation requirements. Emphasize specific reactor design codes, safety analysis software, and neutron transport modeling experience in applications.
Target growing SMR development companies
Small modular reactor startups like NuScale, TerraPower, and Kairos Power are expanding rapidly and more likely to sponsor visas than established utilities with existing engineering teams.
Consider research reactor positions
University research reactors often have fewer security restrictions than commercial power plants. These positions typically involve reactor operations, experimental design, and student training, all qualifying for visa sponsorship.
Demonstrate MCNP and ORIGEN expertise
Proficiency with specialized nuclear analysis codes like MCNP for neutronics calculations and ORIGEN for fuel depletion analysis strengthens your specialty occupation case and differentiates you from general engineers.
Apply through nuclear consulting firms
Engineering consultancies like Westinghouse, Framatome, and Sargent & Lundy often sponsor visas for reactor engineers to work on multiple client projects, avoiding single-employer security clearance barriers.
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Find Reactor Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do reactor engineers qualify for H-1B specialty occupation requirements?
Yes. Reactor engineering positions typically require nuclear engineering degrees and specialized knowledge of reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, and safety systems that clearly meet specialty occupation criteria. The role's technical complexity and degree requirements make H-1B approval highly likely for qualified candidates.
Can international reactor engineers work on nuclear projects without security clearance?
Yes, but with limitations. Many civilian nuclear facilities, university research reactors, and private companies work on unclassified reactor projects that don't require security clearance. Small modular reactor development and nuclear consulting work often remain accessible to visa holders.
What degree backgrounds support reactor engineer visa applications?
Nuclear engineering degrees provide the strongest support, but mechanical engineering with nuclear concentration, chemical engineering with reactor emphasis, or physics with nuclear specialization can also qualify. Coursework in reactor physics, neutronics, and thermal-hydraulics strengthens the specialty occupation case significantly.
How to find Reactor Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Reactor Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus your search on nuclear power companies, chemical manufacturers, and energy corporations that commonly hire reactor engineers on H-1B, O-1, or EB-2 visas. These companies often sponsor international talent due to specialized skill requirements in nuclear engineering and reactor operations.
Are there TN visa options for Canadian and Mexican reactor engineers?
Yes, under the "Engineer" category. TN approval requires a nuclear or related engineering degree and a job offer for reactor design, analysis, or safety work. The role must clearly fall within professional engineering duties rather than technician-level reactor operations.
Which reactor engineering employers are most likely to sponsor visas?
Small modular reactor startups, nuclear consulting firms, and university research programs have the highest sponsorship rates. National laboratories and established utilities are less likely due to security clearance requirements, while engineering consultancies like Westinghouse regularly sponsor international nuclear engineers.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Reactor Engineer jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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