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Criticality Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amentum is seeking a Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer for the Pittsburgh, PA area. Candidates will obtain site-specific Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) Analyst Qualification to support the ...

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$106.5K

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How much do criticality jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for criticality in the United States is $154,474.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $146,000.00 and $161,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 safety analysis codes (such as SCALE, MCNP), regulatory compliance systems, and professional certifications like Certified Health Physicist (CHP) are typically required. Exceptional analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear communication are crucial soft skills for assessing risks and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure nuclear operations remain safe, compliant, and free from criticality accidents.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in nuclear criticality safety, and how are they addressed?

Professionals in nuclear criticality safety often encounter the challenge of ensuring that nuclear materials are handled, stored, and processed in ways that prevent accidental criticality incidents. This requires meticulous attention to detail, strict adherence to safety protocols, and ongoing risk assessments. Collaboration with engineers, health physicists, and operations staff is common to ensure all procedures and facility designs meet regulatory guidelines. Continuous training, safety drills, and clear communication are essential to maintaining a safe work environment and addressing any emerging risks.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in fields such as software, petroleum, and aerospace engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes specialized certifications or advanced degrees. Compensation varies based on industry, location, and company size.

What is the difference between Criticality vs Safety Analyst?

AspectCriticalitySafety Analyst
Required credentialsEngineering degrees, certifications in risk assessmentSafety certifications, environmental or industrial safety training
Work environmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing, energy sectorsWorkplaces focused on safety protocols, compliance, and risk management
Employer and industry usageOil & gas, manufacturing, power generationConstruction, manufacturing, transportation
Common search intentAssessing system importance and failure impactEnsuring safety standards and accident prevention

Criticality focuses on evaluating the importance of systems or components within a process, often to prioritize maintenance or risk management. Safety Analysts concentrate on identifying hazards and implementing safety measures to prevent accidents. While both roles involve risk assessment, Criticality emphasizes system importance, whereas Safety Analysts focus on safety protocols and compliance.

What are good jobs for critical thinkers?

Critical thinkers are well-suited for roles that require analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making, such as management, engineering, data analysis, and research positions. These jobs often involve evaluating complex information, developing solutions, and making informed judgments, sometimes requiring certifications or advanced education. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are essential in these fields.

What is a Criticality Analyst?

A Criticality Analyst is a professional who evaluates and manages the risks associated with nuclear materials, ensuring that processes and storage do not reach unsafe levels of nuclear chain reactions, known as criticality. They analyze systems, develop safety protocols, and perform calculations to prevent accidental nuclear reactions in facilities like nuclear power plants or research labs. Their work is essential for maintaining safety standards and regulatory compliance in environments where fissile materials are handled.

What jobs will no longer exist in 2030?

Criticality jobs, such as manual assembly line roles and routine data entry positions, are expected to decline significantly by 2030 due to automation and AI advancements. Many tasks requiring repetitive skills will be replaced by machines or software, emphasizing the need for workers to develop digital literacy and adaptable skills.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

High-paying jobs that can pay around $2000 a day include specialized roles such as senior corporate lawyers, certain executive positions like CEOs or CFOs, and highly experienced consultants or contractors in fields like IT, engineering, or finance. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often involve high levels of responsibility or project-based work. Compensation varies based on industry, location, and individual expertise.
More about Criticality jobs
What cities are hiring for Criticality jobs? Cities with the most Criticality job openings:
What states have the most Criticality jobs? States with the most job openings for Criticality jobs include:
Infographic showing various Criticality job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $154,474 per year, or $74.3 per hour.
Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer

Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer

Oklo

Santa Clara, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$135K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

Thanks for your interest in Oklo! We are searching for a Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer to join our team.
Position Description
A Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer at Oklo is responsible for performing criticality safety evaluations, developing the nuclear criticality safety basis, and architecting the nuclear criticality safety program for a first-of-a-kind used nuclear fuel recycling facility.
Specific responsibilities may include:
  • Identifying and evaluating nuclear criticality safety (NCS) hazards for fuel cycle facilities
  • Performing criticality safety evaluations (CSEs) to demonstrate subcriticality under normal and credible abnormal conditions
  • Developing the criticality code validation report
  • Demonstrating compliance with the double-contingency principle
  • Documenting criticality hazard analyses, CSEs, and supporting technical information
  • Evaluating and implementing controlled parameters for the NCS program
  • Developing the criticality accident alarm system and inadvertent criticality emergency response plan
  • Supporting safety basis development and licensing efforts
  • Developing and administering the NCS program, methodologies, and management measures

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, or chemistry, or related field
  • Minimum 5+ years experience performing CSEs as a part of a nuclear facility's safety basis

Bonus Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of used nuclear fuel recycling technologies
  • 10+ years of experience performing criticality safety evaluations for an NRC licensed fuel cycle facility

Competencies
We are looking for a Senior Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer that is:
  • Knowledge of nuclear science, physics of criticality, and chemistry
  • Knowledge of nuclear fuel cycle processes and nuclear fuel cycle facility accident scenarios
  • Proficient with Attila4MC, MCNP, SCALE, and/or Serpent codes and modules
  • Familiarity with critical experiments and their purpose
  • Knowledge of criticality-specific codes, standards, regulatory requirements, and industry practices for nuclear fuel cycle facilities
  • Familiarity with NUREG-1513, NUREG-1520, NUREG/CR-6410, NUREG/CR-6698, NUREG/CR-7311, and NRC RG 3.71
  • Passionate about clean energy and making advanced fission a reality
  • Knowledgeable about structural design, analysis, and construction
  • Eager to work on a dynamic team, receive constructive feedback, and grow with us
  • Willing to think differently and learn quickly
  • Comfortable in a fast-paced, highly iterative startup environment
  • Excited to think creatively, critically, and reflectively about the problems they are solving, while not leaning only on what has been done before
  • An excellent writer who can communicate technical concepts in modern active voice

Who you are:
A startup person: You aren't driven by titles or hierarchy, and prefer efficiency to excess process. You don't need or expect to have a lot of guidance but you enjoy working in a fast-paced team. If you prefer the culture and feel of a large organization, that is great, but you likely won't enjoy working with us! There is plenty of important work and plenty of good opportunities with organizations like that.
Motivated: You are self-motivated. You bring an enthusiasm to the team, and imbue a sense of passion that goes beyond clocking in and clocking out. This isn't about a fake or arbitrary "pieces of flair" mentality or lack of work-life balance! It is about being a part of the vision and feeling a part of reaching team goals.
A team-player: Oklo genuinely is a team. We aren't about taking credit for ourselves, and we aren't about pushing blame to others. We do incredible things because we work as a team.
An excellent communicator: We need a person who is not only technically competent but also a clear and upbeat communicator.
Creative: Being creative means that when things fall outside clear scopes or processes or problems arise without clear solutions, you are able to identify it as well as invent ways to solve a problem or fill a need without micromanagement. The successful person in this job will not only be creative, but also enjoy being creative and solving open-ended problems which may change day-by-day.
Detail-oriented: This focus is a big part of excellence, consistency, and quality. Excellent grammar and spelling matter for both good communication as well as the image of the company that we put forward.
About Oklo travel requirements:
Oklo requires remote employees to travel to headquarters (Santa Clara, CA) twice a quarter annually, based on business or team needs, including attendance at team meetings, off-sites, and other company events or gatherings. For the first two weeks of onboarding, employees are required to be in person at headquarters in Santa Clara, CA.
About Oklo compensation:
Salary: $135,000-$175,000
Oklo offers flexible time off, equity, competitive pay, 401k, health insurance, FSA, flexible work hours, and other benefits.
This position may involve access to information subject to U.S. export control laws. Only applicants who meet the definition of a U.S. person under applicable laws may be eligible.
About Oklo Inc.: Oklo Inc. is developing fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale; establishing a domestic supply chain for critical radioisotopes; and advancing nuclear fuel recycling to convert nuclear waste into clean energy. Oklo was the first to receive a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for a commercial advanced fission plant, was awarded fuel material from Idaho National Laboratory, and submitted the first custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Oklo is also developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Laboratories.
#CHOP: Oklo's Values
Collaboration: We go further, together. We bring diverse perspectives, listen actively, and build trust through transparency and respect. We work across disciplines, sharing ownership to turn complex challenges into shared successes.
Humility: We are team players who act for the good of the company and for the world. We are focused on our mission, not personal recognition.
Ownership: We take pride in what we do and how we do it. We are proactive in finding solutions and see tasks through to completion. We are committed to delivering on our promises to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
Pathfinding: We chart new ground where no path exists by approaching challenges with curiosity, courage, and creativity while navigating ambiguity.
Candidates should be aware that employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a drug screening, and employees may be subject to drug testing at any time in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.
Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer
Oklo is aware of recent recruitment fraud attempts targeting job seekers. Please be cautious of anyone claiming to represent Oklo who does not contact you from an official Oklo email address.
All legitimate communications from our recruiting team- including application updates, interview requests, and job offers - will come exclusively from an @oklo.com email. Oklo will never ask for sensitive personal information, payments, or account credentials during the hiring process.
If you receive suspicious outreach or have concerns about the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from Oklo, please contact us through the official channels listed on our website.