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Management Solutions, LLC

Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer Location: Knoxville, TN (Client Sites as Required) Employment Type: Full-Time Clearance: Active DOE Q required Who We Are Management Solutions LLC (MSLLC) is an ...

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Nuclear Criticality Safety information

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How much do nuclear criticality safety jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for nuclear criticality safety 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 is nuclear criticality safety?

Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) is the field focused on preventing unintended nuclear chain reactions, known as criticality accidents, when handling, processing, or storing fissile materials such as uranium or plutonium. Professionals in this field analyze processes, design safety controls, and implement procedures to ensure that nuclear materials remain in safe configurations. Their work is essential in nuclear power plants, fuel fabrication facilities, research laboratories, and any facility that uses or stores fissile material. NCS specialists use a combination of physics, engineering, and regulatory knowledge to protect workers, the public, and the environment from radiation hazards associated with criticality events.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a nuclear criticality safety engineer?

To thrive as a Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer, you need expertise in nuclear engineering, physics, and criticality safety analysis, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and specialized training. Familiarity with nuclear safety codes, Monte Carlo simulation software (such as MCNP or SCALE), and regulatory requirements is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help professionals identify risks and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure the prevention of criticality accidents, regulatory compliance, and the overall safety of nuclear operations.

What are some common challenges faced by nuclear criticality safety professionals in their daily work?

Nuclear Criticality Safety professionals often encounter challenges such as ensuring strict compliance with safety regulations, managing complex calculations for criticality risk assessments, and effectively communicating technical findings to multidisciplinary teams. They must stay updated on evolving industry standards and maintain rigorous documentation for audits. Additionally, balancing operational efficiency with uncompromising safety protocols requires both attention to detail and strong collaboration with engineers, operators, and regulatory bodies.

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

AspectNuclear Criticality SafetyNuclear Safety Engineer
Primary FocusPreventing nuclear chain reactions during handling and processing of fissile materialsEnsuring overall safety of nuclear facilities, including radiation protection and accident prevention
CertificationsCriticality Safety Certification, DOE/NRC trainingNuclear Engineering Degree, NRC licensing
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, nuclear processing plants, DOE sitesNuclear power plants, research reactors, regulatory agencies
Industry UsageHigh emphasis in fuel handling, storage, and transportationBroader safety oversight including design, operations, and emergency preparedness

While both roles focus on nuclear safety, Nuclear Criticality Safety specialists specifically prevent accidental chain reactions in fissile materials, whereas Nuclear Safety Engineers oversee overall plant safety and regulatory compliance. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and specific expertise areas.

More about Nuclear Criticality Safety jobs

What cities are hiring for Nuclear Criticality Safety jobs?

Cities with the most Nuclear Criticality Safety job openings:

What states have the most Nuclear Criticality Safety jobs?

States with the most job openings for Nuclear Criticality Safety jobs include:

What are popular job titles for Nuclear Criticality Safety?

Popular job titles for Nuclear Criticality Safety:

Nuclear Criticality Safety jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nuclear Criticality Safety job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 84% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $154,474 per year, or $74.3 per hour.

Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Edgewater Technical Associates
Facilities Support Services • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Edgewater Technical Associatesexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Perform Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) analysis and design activities to support DOE nuclear and commercial fuel cycle facilities, engineering programs, and projects.

  • Develop, review, and revise NCS documentation such as Criticality Safety Evaluations, Criticality Safety Determinations, and technical basis documents.

  • Support hazard analyses, safety reviews, and compliance activities related to criticality safety and nuclear facility operations.

Job description

Edgewater Technical Associates is seeking qualified candidates for Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer opportunities at various locations across the United States Department of Energy (DOE) complex in support of traditional environmental clean-up missions and in support of the advancement of first-in-kind commercial fuel capabilities at select sites across the United States.
Work Location: Varies from on-site full-time; hybrid with 1-2 weeks on-site at a time with business travel for on-site trips; and Edgewater regional office locations (i.e., remote).
Clearance Requirement: Ability to obtain DOE L or Q level clearance.
Citizenship: United States Citizenship required.
Edgewater Technical Associates, LLC (Edgewater) is a New Mexico-based small business headquartered in Los Alamos, NM, with five (5) regional offices across the United States to locally support their growing presence at project sites. Edgewater has a proven track record and is a trusted provider of fixed-price construction projects, engineering, and technical services for the DOE, DOD, National Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Canadian Commercial Nuclear Industry, and private sector commercial contractors involved in nuclear, high-hazard, or complex operations. Edgewater's experience and guidance ensure that its customers perform hazardous operations, comply with regulatory requirements, and maintain the highest quality and safety standards.
Candidate(s) will independently perform Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) analysis and design activities in support of DOE nuclear and commercial fuel cycle facilities, engineering programs, and projects. Utilizing basic and advanced engineering and NCS fundamentals, as assigned, perform criticality safety analyses to support new and existing design and licensing functions. Perform other engineering activities required to support facility design, configuration control, and operation. Candidate(s) will work in design safety basis organizations and depending on area of expertise will focus on criticality safety analyses, chemical dose consequence analyses, or shielding analyses.
Requirements:
  • Have a Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, or chemistry.
  • Have knowledge of nuclear science, physics of criticality, and chemistry.
  • Have knowledge of ANSI/ANS-8 series national standards.
  • Have familiarity with critical experiments and their purpose.
  • Have expertise in using MCNP and SCALE code systems (KENO, TSUNAMI, etc.) in performing sensitivity, uncertainty, and criticality safety calculations.
  • Have experience in performing criticality safety evaluations as a part of a nuclear facility safety basis.
  • Have knowledge of nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear fuel cycle facility accident scenarios.
  • Have knowledge of nuclear criticality safety codes, standards, regulatory requirements, and industry practices for DOE nuclear facilities and nuclear fuel cycle facilities.
  • Have experience with Documented Safety Analyses (10 CFR Part 830) or Integrated Safety Analysis (10 CFR Part 70).

Responsibilities:
  • Develop, revise, and review Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) documentation such as Criticality Safety Evaluations (CSEs), Criticality Safety Determinations (CSDs), Technical Deviations (TDs), and other NCS technical basis documentation.
  • Perform chemical dose consequence calculations.
  • Demonstrate compliance with the double-contingency principle.
  • Define, evaluate, and maintain criticality safety controls, limits, parameters, and requirements for fissile material processes, equipment, and facility layouts.
  • Develop criticality accident alarm systems and inadvertent criticality emergency response plans.
  • Develop criticality code validation reports.
  • Support radiation shielding analysis to demonstrate adequate radiation mitigation.
  • Support preparation and defense of Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) and Technical Safety Requirement (TSR) content related to criticality safety.
  • Support preparation and defense of Integrated Safety Analysis (ISA) and Technical Specification (TS) content related to criticality safety.
  • Conduct surveillances, inspections, walkthroughs, appraisals, or audits of fissile material operations to ensure compliance with approvals.
  • Identify and evaluate NCS hazards for DOE nuclear facilities and commercial fuel cycle facilities.
  • Support hazard analyses, control decision meetings, risk assessments, safety reviews for nuclear facilities and activities.
  • Perform nuclear criticality safety evaluations to ensure safe handling, storage, processing, and transportation of fissile materials.
  • Administer the NCS program, methodologies, policies, and management measures.
  • Ensure compliance with DOE, NRC, and ANSI/ANS criticality safety-standards and regulations.
  • Support preparation and submittal of criticality safety-related licensing documentation.
  • Support interactions with regulators, including technical reviews, licensing reviews, and readiness reviews.
  • Maintain accurate documentation and records to support regulatory audits and reviews.
  • Respond to findings, identify and implement corrective actions, and ensure continued compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Work with engineering, operations, quality assurance, and regulatory teams to integrate criticality safety early in facility design and modification processes.
  • Ensure effective safety measures are incorporated throughout the design process and facility lifecycle.
  • Provide technical guidance and training to personnel on criticality safety principles and procedures.

Qualifications (Preferred):
  • Previously qualified as a Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer (e.g., ANSI/ANS-8.26).
  • Professional Engineering (PE) License obtained by accredited examination.
  • 3+ years of experience performing criticality safety evaluations for a DOE nuclear facility and/or an NRC licensed fuel cycle facility.
  • Have 8 or more years of related work experience: of which 2 years' experience in a nuclear facility.
  • Have experience with commercial nuclear fuel cycle processes, including HALEU fuel manufacturing.
  • Have 2-3 Years of experience in supporting CFR Part 70 licensing functions.
  • Have familiarity with NUREG-1513, NUREG-1520, NUREG/CR-6410, NUREG/CR-6698, and NRC RG 3.71
  • Have knowledge of other modeling tools (e.g., Serpent) and proficiency in Python to improve workflow.

Other Job Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship

If you are interested in being considered for this position and your resume clearly outlines your relevant experience for this position, please follow the application steps via our website: www.edgewatertech.net/careers
Edgewater will not submit your resume without first having detailed discussions with you and obtaining your permission to do so.
We look forward to hearing from you!
WORKING WITH EDGEWATER
Founded in 2003, Edgewater is a professional and technical services firm supporting the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S., U.K., and Canadian Commercial Nuclear Industry, Department of Defense, and private sector businesses involved in high-hazard or complex operations. Edgewater proudly offers expertise in numerous technical disciplines necessary to support operational environments where Integrated Safety Management and formal, disciplined operations are essential to ensure safety, quality, security, and regulatory compliance.
Edgewater is committed to recruiting and maintaining a staff of highly skilled professionals to support our customers. In keeping with this objective, we offer highly competitive salaries and employee benefit packages structured to best suit your needs. We offer multiple individual and family benefit options including paid time off, medical, dental, life, vision, and disability insurance, and a pre-tax 401 (k) retirement account with Company matching contributions and 100% vesting for eligible participants beginning DAY 1.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Edgewater is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veterans, or individuals with disabilities in accordance with EO 14173.
View all Edgewater opportunities at www.edgewatertech.net/careers

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