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Criticality Safety Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Standard Nuclear, Inc.

This role works closely with engineering, operations, and EH&S teams to ensure that criticality safety is fully integrated into facility design, procedures, and day-to-day operations.

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Criticality Safety Engineer information

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$48.5K

$104.6K

$164.5K

How much do criticality safety engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for criticality safety engineer in the United States is $104,622.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,500.00 and $135,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Criticality Safety Engineers?

Criticality Safety Engineers are professionals who assess, analyze, and implement safety controls to prevent accidental nuclear chain reactions, known as criticality accidents, in facilities that use fissile materials. They develop procedures, perform risk assessments, and ensure compliance with nuclear safety regulations. Their work is crucial in environments like nuclear power plants, research reactors, and fuel processing facilities to protect workers, the public, and the environment from radiation hazards. These engineers also provide training and guidance to other personnel on criticality safety practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Criticality Safety Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Criticality Safety Engineer, you need a strong background in nuclear engineering, physics, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree and specialized training in nuclear safety. Familiarity with nuclear criticality safety codes (e.g., SCALE, MCNP), regulatory standards, and risk assessment tools is typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for evaluating safety concerns and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These abilities are essential to ensure the safe handling, storage, and transport of fissile materials while maintaining regulatory compliance and preventing criticality accidents.

What are some common challenges faced by Criticality Safety Engineers in their daily work?

Criticality Safety Engineers often encounter the challenge of balancing rigorous safety protocols with operational demands in nuclear facilities. They must stay current with evolving regulatory requirements and ensure all processes comply with strict safety margins, which can be complex when dealing with varying material types and configurations. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams—including operations, health physics, and engineering—is essential to develop practical solutions that maintain safety without hindering productivity. Attention to detail and effective communication are crucial, as even minor oversights can have significant consequences.

What is the difference between Criticality Safety Engineer vs Nuclear Safety Engineer?

AspectCriticality Safety EngineerNuclear Safety Engineer
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications like CSE or NEEngineering or science degree, nuclear certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, nuclear facilities, manufacturing plantsNuclear power plants, regulatory agencies, research institutions
Industry UsageFocuses on preventing nuclear chain reactionsFocuses on overall nuclear safety and regulation compliance

Criticality Safety Engineers specialize in preventing nuclear chain reactions, ensuring safe handling of fissile materials. Nuclear Safety Engineers have a broader role, overseeing overall safety protocols in nuclear facilities. Both roles require similar credentials and work in related environments, but their focus areas differ within the nuclear industry.

More about Criticality Safety Engineer jobs
Who are the top companies hiring for Criticality Safety Engineer jobs? The top employers for Criticality Safety Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Criticality Safety Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Criticality Safety Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Criticality Safety Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Criticality Safety Engineer jobs are:
Criticality Safety Engineer jobs near you

Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer

Naval Nuclear Laboratory

West Mifflin, PA

$117K - $184K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

About Us

Working at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory we foster pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, and Collaboration. Our company promotes a positive culture while ensuring the safety and reliability of our nation's naval nuclear reactors, and training the Sailors who operate those reactors in the U.S. Navy's submarines and aircraft carrier Fleets. Looking for a lifetime career? Apply today!

Job Description

Join the Naval Nuclear Laboratory as a Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer! In this role you will become part of the Nuclear Materials Management and Criticality Control (NMM&CC) unit fosters safe, efficient, and effective Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) and Material Control and Accountability (MC&A) programs for the Bettis, Knolls, and Kesselring sites. NMM&CC seeks an individual to actively work with the operations, engineering, oversight, and security communities to build and maintain a robust NCS and MC&A program. The Engineer should be proficient with NCS and MC&A requirements which they will use to provide reviews, mentoring, classroom teaching and qualification, and assess and document community performance to those requirements.

The position includes coordination of fleet fuel inventories, observing work in progress, conducting interviews, reviewing records, inspecting equipment and facilities, following-up on previously identified problems, working independently on projects, authoring and publishing findings, observations and improvement recommendations, meeting strict schedules and deadlines, balancing multiple duties and responsibilities simultaneously and reporting nuclear material inventory at the Bettis, Knolls, and Kesselring sites. Candidates should desire to use their investigative and skeptical thinking skills to improve operational safety, security, and efficiency by identifying and evaluation performance trends, and as such, should enjoy a combination of a compliance, reporting, and teaching environments. Apply today!

Required Combination of Knowledge and Skill

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in a related engineering or science field and a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience; or

Masters degree from an accredited college or university in a related engineering or science field and a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; or

Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a related engineering or science field and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience; or

Currently a Principal Reactor Training Engineer, Refueling Engineer, or Field (RPCO) Engineer at the Company.

Preferred Skills

* Proficient in Microsoft Excel

* Good communication skills

* Strong technical writing skills

Compensation and Benefits
  • Health, Dental, Vision & Voluntary Benefits
  • Disability, Life & Accident Insurance
  • 401(k) Savings program & Capital Accumulation Plan
  • Personal & Medical Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Flexible Work Schedules
  • Tuition Assistance for Eligible Employees
  • Student Debt Benefit Personal Time Off Sell Program
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Wellness Program
  • Visit us online to view all NNL benefits!
Pay Range
$117,900.00 - $184,300.00 annually
Salary information provided is a general guideline only. Annual salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC (FMP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fluor Corporation. Naval Nuclear Laboratory personnel are FMP employees who work at four DOE facilities: Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Kenneth A. Kesselring Site, and Naval Reactors Facility, and at the U.S. Department of Defense-owned Nuclear Power Training Unit-Charleston. FMP employees also have an established presence at numerous shipyards and vendor locations. For nearly 70 years, the Naval Nuclear Laboratory has developed advanced nuclear propulsion technology, provided technical support, and trained world-class nuclear operators to ensure the safe and reliable operation of our nation's submarine and aircraft carrier Fleets. The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is a national asset solely dedicated to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. We rely on the dedication and innovation of our nearly 8000 engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel.

All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. FMP is a government contractor and maintains a drug free workplace and workforce. All candidates must be able to pass a drug test in compliance with FMP company policy and 10 CFR 707. Marijuana is a Federal Schedule I controlled substance and illegal under Federal Law. Therefore, FMP is required to test for marijuana.

Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other criteria protected by federal, state, or local law.

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