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Nuclear Power Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Engineer - Nuclear

North Palm Beach, FL ยท On-site

$50 - $60/hr

Minimum of four years of nuclear power plant experience, including at least two years working with the NEI Standard Design Process for an operating nuclear utility. * Experience with 10 CFR 50.59 ...

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Nuclear Power Operator information

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$916

$1.8K

$1.9K

How much do nuclear power operator jobs pay per month?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average monthly pay for nuclear power operator in the United States is $1,773.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $1,750.00 and $1,791.67 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Nuclear Power Operator vs Nuclear Reactor Technician?

AspectNuclear Power OperatorNuclear Reactor Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a high school diploma, technical training, and licensingRequires an associate degree or technical certification, often with licensing
Work EnvironmentOperate and monitor nuclear power plant systems, often in control roomsMaintain, troubleshoot, and repair reactor systems, often in plant facilities
Industry UsageCommonly employed in power plants for plant operationOften works alongside operators, focusing on technical maintenance

The main difference between a Nuclear Power Operator and a Nuclear Reactor Technician lies in their roles: operators oversee plant operations and control systems, while technicians focus on maintenance and repairs. Both roles require specialized training and licensing, and they work closely within nuclear power plants to ensure safe and efficient plant functioning.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Nuclear Power Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nuclear Power Operator, you need a solid understanding of nuclear physics, plant operations, and safety protocols, typically supported by a high school diploma and successful completion of operator training and NRC licensing. Familiarity with control room instrumentation, digital monitoring systems, and emergency response procedures is essential. Keen attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and effective communication set outstanding operators apart. These competencies are critical for ensuring safe, reliable plant operations and rapid response to any anomalies or emergencies.

What does a Nuclear Power Operator do?

A Nuclear Power Operator is responsible for controlling and monitoring nuclear reactors at a power plant to ensure they operate safely and efficiently. Their duties include adjusting control rods, monitoring reactor systems, recording data, and responding to any abnormal conditions. They must follow strict safety protocols and work closely with engineers and other staff to maintain compliance with regulatory standards. Training and licensing are required for this highly specialized and safety-critical role.

What are the primary challenges Nuclear Power Operators face during shift work, and how can new hires prepare for them?

Nuclear Power Operators often work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, which can disrupt sleep patterns and affect work-life balance. Managing fatigue, maintaining sharp attention to detail, and adhering strictly to safety protocols under varying conditions are key challenges. New hires can prepare by developing strong time-management habits, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and familiarizing themselves with shift work best practices to ensure they remain alert and effective during every shift.
More about Nuclear Power Operator jobs
What cities are hiring for Nuclear Power Operator jobs? Cities with the most Nuclear Power Operator job openings:
What states have the most Nuclear Power Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Nuclear Power Operator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Nuclear Power Operator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 8% Contract, and 8% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $21,284 per year, or $10.2 per hour.

Associate Nuclear Engineer and Physicist Nuclear

Naval Nuclear Laboratory

West Mifflin, PA โ€ข On-site

$63K - $97K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 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

Are you interested in learning about the nuclear power propulsion systems on the US Navy's aircraft carriers and submarines? The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is seeking an entry level engineer to join the Fleet Reactor Engineering department to lead evaluations of a wide range of nuclear reactor operations and transients. This is an excellent opportunity to gain an integrated understanding of how many different reactor designs operate while developing analytical skills that support our important mission and keep our sailors, the public, and the environment safe. The successful candidate's duties could include, but are not limited to: thermal hydraulic model development and analysis, researching and developing probabilistic models for reactor plant safety, understanding and communicating nuclear plant accident progression, developing scripts to run our models and post-process results, working productively and efficiently with a team of knowledgeable professionals to document different analyses, and understanding and communicating results to coworkers, managers, and Naval Reactors.

NNL develops and supports the world's safest and most advanced reactor plants and as an engineer in the Fleet Reactor Engineering department, your contributions will be directly tied to this important mission!

Required Combination of Knowledge and Skill

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in a related engineering or science field; or Masters degree from an accredited college or university in a related engineering or science field.

Preferred Skills
  • Experience with thermal-hydraulic analysis, scripting, and coding preferably with reactor safety computer codes such as MELCOR or post-processing in MATLAB or Python;
  • Experience working with and debugging interpreted (Python/MATLAB) and compiled programming languages (C, C++/FORTRAN);
  • Strong interest in fluid dynamics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and other related subjects;
  • Ability to understand large/complex systems including fluids, heat transfer, instrumentation and control systems, and electrical components;
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills with an ability to articulate technical ideas in a clear and concise manner
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 $63,900.00 - $97,800.00 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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