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Nuclear Plant Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

Standard Nuclear, Inc.

Plant Manager

Oak Ridge, TN · On-site

Standard Nuclear is fueling America's nuclear renaissance at industrial scale. Our mission is to ... The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and safe operation of ...

Standard Nuclear, Inc.

Plant Manager

Oak Ridge, TN

Standard Nuclear is fueling America's nuclear renaissance at industrial scale. Our mission is to ... The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and safe operation of ...

US Navy

Nuclear Engineer

Midtown, TN · On-site

$86K - $103K/yr

... nuclear plant operation. What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role ...

US Navy

Nuclear Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$94K - $112K/yr

... nuclear plant operation. What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role ...

US Navy

Nuclear Engineer

Norris, TN · On-site

$85K - $102K/yr

... nuclear plant operation. What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role ...

US Navy

Nuclear Engineer

Loudon, TN · On-site

$86K - $104K/yr

... nuclear plant operation. What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role ...

US Navy

Nuclear Engineer

Alcoa, TN · On-site

$85K - $102K/yr

... nuclear plant operation. What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role ...

US Navy

Nuclear Engineer

Louisville, TN · On-site

$90K - $108K/yr

... nuclear plant operation. What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role ...

US Navy

Nuclear Engineer

Powell, TN · On-site

$83K - $99K/yr

... nuclear plant operation. What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role ...

US Navy

Nuclear Engineer

Maryville, TN · On-site

$88K - $106K/yr

... nuclear plant operation. What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role ...

US Navy

Nuclear Engineer

Rockford, TN · On-site

$89K - $107K/yr

... nuclear plant operation. What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role ...

Forrest Johnson

Data Analyst Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

This is an applied engineering and data analysis role for someone who wants to work with real nuclear plant data, proprietary engineering software, instrumentation systems, and technically rigorous ...

Forrest Johnson

Data Analyst Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

This is an applied engineering and data analysis role for someone who wants to work with real nuclear plant data, proprietary engineering software, instrumentation systems, and technically rigorous ...

AMS Corporation

Data Analyst Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

This is an applied engineering and data analysis role for someone who wants to work with real nuclear plant data, proprietary engineering software, instrumentation systems, and technically rigorous ...

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All JobsNuclear Plant JobsNuclear Plant Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

Nuclear Plant information

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How much do nuclear plant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for nuclear plant in Oak Ridge, TN is $31.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.31 and $58.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a nuclear plant worker?

Nuclear plant workers are professionals responsible for operating, maintaining, and overseeing the safe functioning of nuclear power plants. Their roles include monitoring reactor systems, handling nuclear fuel, ensuring compliance with safety protocols, and performing routine maintenance. They play a critical role in generating electricity while minimizing environmental and safety risks. Nuclear plant workers often need specialized training and must adhere to strict regulations to ensure the safety of both the workers and the surrounding community.

What are jobs at a nuclear plant?

A nuclear plant needs hundreds of workers to ensure all operations run smoothly. Your responsibilities and duties in this field differ significantly depending on the position, but engineers, technicians, and those with trade skills can find ample opportunities. For example, you can work as a carpenter, an electrician, a mason, a pipefitter, a mechanic, or a welder and provide maintenance and repairs. There are also available jobs as an accountant, a civil engineer, a lawyer, a financial manager, an entrepreneur, a lab technician, a reactor operator, or a heavy equipment operator. Chemists, scientists, and radiation protection specialists are also in demand in the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a nuclear plant operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nuclear Plant Operator, you need a solid understanding of physics, engineering principles, and power plant operations, typically supported by a degree in a relevant field and completion of operator licensing requirements. Familiarity with control room systems, simulation software, and regulatory compliance tools is essential. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and clear communication are crucial soft skills for managing plant safety and responding to emergencies. These skills and qualifications are vital for ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operation of nuclear facilities.

What are some common challenges faced by employees working at a nuclear power plant?

Employees at nuclear power plants often face the challenge of maintaining strict safety protocols while working in highly regulated environments. Adhering to detailed procedures and regular training is essential to ensure both personal and public safety. Additionally, shift work and responding to unexpected technical issues can be demanding, requiring strong teamwork and clear communication among staff. The role can be rewarding, as employees play a vital part in providing reliable energy, but it also demands continuous learning and adaptability to evolving industry standards.

What is the difference between Nuclear Plant vs Nuclear Reactor Operator?

AspectNuclear PlantNuclear Reactor Operator
CertificationsPlant-specific licenses, safety trainingReactor operator license from NRC
Work EnvironmentPower plant facilities, control rooms, maintenance areasReactor control rooms, operational zones
Employer & Industry UsagePower generation companies, energy industryPower plants, nuclear facilities

The main difference is that a Nuclear Plant refers to the entire facility involved in nuclear power generation, including various roles and departments. A Nuclear Reactor Operator specifically controls and monitors the reactor itself, requiring specialized licensing. While both work in nuclear energy, the plant encompasses broader operations, whereas the reactor operator focuses on reactor-specific tasks.

Is it hard to get a job at a nuclear power plant?

Getting a job at a nuclear power plant can be competitive and requires relevant education, such as a degree in engineering, nuclear science, or related fields. Candidates typically need specialized training, security clearances, and certifications like NRC licenses, along with experience in the energy or technical sectors. The hiring process often involves rigorous background checks and technical assessments.
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For Nuclear Plant jobs in Oak Ridge, TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Nuclear Plant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nuclear Plant job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 84% In-person, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,427 per year, or $31.9 per hour.

Plant Manager

Standard Nuclear, Inc.

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Standard Nuclear is fueling America's nuclear renaissance at industrial scale. Our mission is to deliver the essential building blocks of nuclear power-enabling cost-effective, safe, and secure energy for the world.
The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and safe operation of Standard Nuclear's Oak Ridge nuclear fuel fabrication facility. This role provides strategic and day-to-day leadership across plant operations, ensuring the facility achieves its production, safety, quality, regulatory, financial, and operational objectives while fostering a strong nuclear safety culture.
As the senior operations leader for the facility, the Plant Manager is accountable for manufacturing execution, workforce performance, operational discipline, equipment reliability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional coordination. This role oversees production operations while partnering closely with Engineering, Quality, Nuclear Safety, Criticality Safety, Radiological Controls, EH&S, Maintenance, Facilities, Supply Chain, Planning, Security, and other support organizations to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient plant operations.
The Plant Manager is responsible for building and developing a high-performing operations organization as the facility accelerates manufacturing. This includes establishing operational excellence, driving continuous improvement, developing frontline leaders, and ensuring all work is performed safely, consistently, and in full compliance with applicable quality, radiological, regulatory, and nuclear safety requirements.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a strong presence on the manufacturing floor and the ability to balance operational execution with long-term organizational growth.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Plant Leadership & Operations
  • Lead the safe, secure, and efficient operation of Standard Nuclear's Oak Ridge nuclear fuel fabrication facility
  • Own plant performance across production, safety, quality, regulatory compliance, schedule, and cost
  • Foster a strong nuclear safety culture focused on compliance, accountability, operational discipline, and continuous improvement
  • Establish clear performance expectations and ensure operations are conducted in accordance with company policies, approved procedures, and regulatory requirements
  • Provide visible leadership on the manufacturing floor and reinforce expectations for safe, disciplined, and reliable operations

Manufacturing & Production Performance
  • Execute the facility production plan, ensuring manufacturing commitments are achieved safely, on schedule, and within quality standards
  • Monitor and improve key operational metrics, including throughput, yield, labor productivity, equipment availability, schedule adherence, downtime, and manufacturing cost
  • Work with Engineering to identify production constraints and support corrective actions to improve reliability, efficiency, and production capacity
  • Optimize utilization of personnel, equipment, and facility resources while supporting the introduction of new manufacturing capabilities and processes
  • Drive production performance as the facility accelerates manufacturing and scales operations

Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with applicable DOE, NRC, NQA-1, environmental, radiological, criticality safety, security, and company requirements
  • Promote safe work practices, contamination control, material accountability, and disciplined operational execution
  • Partner with Quality, Nuclear Safety, Radiological Controls, Criticality Safety, EH&S, and Security to support audits, inspections, readiness reviews, and regulatory assessments
  • Ensure timely and effective implementation of corrective actions and maintain operational readiness
  • Reinforce a culture where safety, quality, compliance, and production performance are integrated into daily operations

Leadership & Workforce Development
  • Lead and mentor production supervisors, technicians, operators, and other plant personnel while promoting accountability and professional development
  • Ensure personnel are properly trained, qualified, and prepared to support current and future operational needs
  • Develop frontline leaders who can execute production plans, reinforce standards, and support a disciplined manufacturing environment
  • Foster a culture of teamwork, ownership, continuous learning, and operational excellence
  • Build the organizational capability required to support long-term production growth

Continuous Improvement & Operational Discipline
  • Establish effective daily management systems, production reviews, shift handoffs, and performance metrics
  • Lead root cause investigations and implementation of sustainable corrective actions for operational, safety, quality, and equipment issues
  • Develop scalable manufacturing systems and processes to support long-term production growth
  • Drive improvements in throughput, yield, equipment reliability, labor productivity, and cost performance
  • Ensure lessons learned from production, maintenance, quality, and safety events are translated into durable operational improvements

Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Facilities, Supply Chain, Planning, Quality, Finance, EH&S, Nuclear Safety, Security, Licensing, and executive leadership to optimize plant performance
  • Balance production priorities with maintenance, capital projects, staffing, and long-term operational objectives
  • Communicate plant performance, operational risks, resource needs, and improvement initiatives to executive leadership
  • Support facility expansions, commissioning activities, operational readiness reviews, customer engagements, and regulatory interactions
  • Ensure cross-functional teams are aligned around plant priorities, constraints, and execution needs

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered
  • 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, plant operations, industrial operations, or production leadership
  • Experience leading supervisors, technicians, operators, and cross-functional plant teams in a manufacturing or industrial environment
  • Demonstrated experience owning plant or site-level performance across safety, quality, production, cost, staffing, and operational execution
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing systems, production metrics, operational discipline, maintenance coordination, and continuous improvement
  • Experience operating in regulated, safety-critical, high-reliability, or quality-controlled manufacturing environments
  • Proven ability to build teams, develop frontline leaders, establish accountability, and lead through growth or operational change
  • Strong problem-solving, communication, decision-making, and cross-functional leadership skills
  • Experience with DOE, NRC, NQA-1, nuclear, radiological, criticality safety, or other highly regulated environments strongly preferred
  • Experience in nuclear fuel fabrication, nuclear operations, chemical processing, aerospace, defense, energy, or advanced manufacturing is a plus

BENEFITS
  • Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Account
  • Disability and Life Insurance
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid Time Off and Holidays

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This role is based on-site at Standard Nuclear's Oak Ridge, TN nuclear fuel fabrication facility and requires regular presence on the manufacturing floor.
The position involves frequent interaction with production teams, technical staff, plant support functions, industrial equipment, controlled areas, and regulated work environments. Work may involve use of PPE, participation in work planning, and adherence to site safety, quality, radiological, contamination control, criticality safety, security, and operational procedures. Occasional travel may be required to support company operations, vendors, customers, or regulatory activities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Standard Nuclear embraces equal opportunity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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