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, E-3, and TN visa sponsorship. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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MRR Facility Operations
Job Description
The University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) is seeking a MURR Reactor Engineer I. This position will report to the Manager of the Engineering group and will be responsible for working with internal and external customers to provide innovative solutions to MU Research Reactor Facility projects.
This individual will perform routine to complex assignments, using both new and existing procedures and protocols coupled with their experience.
Key Duties Performed by This Position Will Include
- Perform detailed designs, with full documentation, of new prototype equipment and systems, and performing modifications, and changes to the reactor, facility infrastructure, research, and service equipment.
- Infrastructure maintenance of mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and other utility systems. This involves conducting periodic facility/system inspections and making assessments to determine repair and modification requirements and developing procedures and plans for project implementation, as necessary.
- Maintain familiarity with various codes, guidelines and requirements issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA) etc.
- Interface with both internal and external customers and follows a project through the entire process, from conception to final installation and commissioning.
- Writing the standard operating procedure for installed systems.
- Work with Campus Facilities to complete maintenance projects on time, while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.
- Work with external vendors and contractors either as member of a team.
Additional responsibilities
- Collaborating with Project Managers for proper allocation and tracking of resources.
- Preparing procedures, reports and other documentation of projects, project updates, and other critical analysis as necessary.
- Testing and documenting design prototypes before final construction and installation.
Successful candidates will be persuasive communicators with exceptional organizational and time management skills. They must demonstrate the following durable skills: leadership, character, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, metacognition, mindfulness, growth mindset, and fortitude. Additionally, customer service, confidentiality, integrity, and a commitment to university values in their activities.
Must be available for reliable and consistent onsite work.
Shift
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related/relevant area from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering or other engineering degree and applicable experience.
Experience working in a nuclear facility.
Anticipated Hiring Range
Hiring Salary: $80,000.00
Grade: GGS M09
University Title: MURR Reactor Engineer I
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.
Other Information
Research Reactor statement (to be added to hiring department section):
A life-saving operation in the middle of America — the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) — needs you to help guide its future. MURR is expanding its critical cancer-fighting and medical isotope production.
MURR’s reactor is the highest-power university research reactor in the United States, operating at 10 megawatts, 6.5 days a week and 52 weeks a year. The MURR facility enables research across many disciplines – From investigating ancient cultures and how plants respond to their environment, to analyzing industrial materials and developing radiopharmaceuticals that have lifesaving clinical applications. The MURR facility is a reliable resource for researchers, scientists, engineers and students across the country.
Be a part of the future of fighting cancer and saving lives.
Be a part of MURR.
Community Information
Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.
Hiring Department
MRR Facility Operations
Job Description
The University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) is seeking a MURR Reactor Engineer I. This position will report to the Manager of the Engineering group and will be responsible for working with internal and external customers to provide innovative solutions to MU Research Reactor Facility projects.
This individual will perform routine to complex assignments, using both new and existing procedures and protocols coupled with their experience.
Key Duties Performed by This Position Will Include
- Perform detailed designs, with full documentation, of new prototype equipment and systems, and performing modifications, and changes to the reactor, facility infrastructure, research, and service equipment.
- Infrastructure maintenance of mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and other utility systems. This involves conducting periodic facility/system inspections and making assessments to determine repair and modification requirements and developing procedures and plans for project implementation, as necessary.
- Maintain familiarity with various codes, guidelines and requirements issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA) etc.
- Interface with both internal and external customers and follows a project through the entire process, from conception to final installation and commissioning.
- Writing the standard operating procedure for installed systems.
- Work with Campus Facilities to complete maintenance projects on time, while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.
- Work with external vendors and contractors either as member of a team.
Additional responsibilities
- Collaborating with Project Managers for proper allocation and tracking of resources.
- Preparing procedures, reports and other documentation of projects, project updates, and other critical analysis as necessary.
- Testing and documenting design prototypes before final construction and installation.
Successful candidates will be persuasive communicators with exceptional organizational and time management skills. They must demonstrate the following durable skills: leadership, character, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, metacognition, mindfulness, growth mindset, and fortitude. Additionally, customer service, confidentiality, integrity, and a commitment to university values in their activities.
Must be available for reliable and consistent onsite work.
Shift
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related/relevant area from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering or other engineering degree and applicable experience.
Experience working in a nuclear facility.
Anticipated Hiring Range
Hiring Salary: $80,000.00
Grade: GGS M09
University Title: MURR Reactor Engineer I
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.
Other Information
Research Reactor statement (to be added to hiring department section):
A life-saving operation in the middle of America — the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) — needs you to help guide its future. MURR is expanding its critical cancer-fighting and medical isotope production.
MURR’s reactor is the highest-power university research reactor in the United States, operating at 10 megawatts, 6.5 days a week and 52 weeks a year. The MURR facility enables research across many disciplines – From investigating ancient cultures and how plants respond to their environment, to analyzing industrial materials and developing radiopharmaceuticals that have lifesaving clinical applications. The MURR facility is a reliable resource for researchers, scientists, engineers and students across the country.
Be a part of the future of fighting cancer and saving lives.
Be a part of MURR.
Community Information
Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.
How to Get 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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Get Access To All 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.
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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