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Permanent Reactor Physics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Protingent

Nuclear Methods Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$52 - $85/hr

Fast reactor physics and design intuition * Experience in understanding and executing nuclear ... Citizen, U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, or of a protected person status Benefits Package:

Protingent

Simulator Engineer

Kemmerer, WY · On-site

$141K - $212K/yr

Understanding of fast reactor physics, liquid-metal thermal/hydraulics, sodium coolant system ... Citizen, U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, or of a protected person status About Protingent:

Valar Atomics

Health Physicist

Orangeville, UT

You know that in Health Physics, accuracy is everything. You take pride in precise calculations and ... DOE/Reactor Experience: Experience at a DOE or NRC-licensed reactor facility or in the Naval ...

Valar Atomics

Health Physicist

Orangeville, UT · On-site

You know that in Health Physics, accuracy is everything. You take pride in precise calculations and ... DOE/Reactor Experience: Experience at a DOE or NRC-licensed reactor facility or in the Naval ...

Protingent

Senior Safety Analysis Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$69 - $115/hr

Knowledgeable of nuclear reactor core physics such as neutron transport theory and reactivity ... Legal Permanent Resident, or a protected person status Benefits Package: Protingent offers ...

Protingent

Senior Safety Methods Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$37 - $74/hr

... level physics) into existing analysis frameworks. * Identify modeling gaps and support method ... Strong foundation in thermal fluids and reactor system behavior, including complex thermal ...

Valar Atomics

CFD Analyst

Hawthorne, NV · On-site

In this role, you will develop high-fidelity CFD models that support reactor design optimization ... S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder)

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Permanent Reactor Physics information

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$46.9K

$52.5K

How much do permanent reactor physics jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for permanent reactor physics in the United States is $46,902.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,500.00 and $50,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can you work at a nuclear power plant with a physics degree?

A physics degree can qualify you for roles such as reactor physicist at a nuclear power plant, especially when combined with specialized training or certifications in nuclear engineering or reactor operations. Relevant skills include understanding nuclear reactions, radiation safety, and using simulation tools, and some positions may require security clearances or licensing. Practical experience or additional education in nuclear engineering can enhance employment prospects in this field.

What is the difference between Permanent Reactor Physics vs Reactor Operations?

AspectPermanent Reactor PhysicsReactor Operations
CredentialsDegree in nuclear engineering or physics, certifications in reactor physicsTraining in reactor operation, certifications like NRC licenses
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, design facilities, regulatory agenciesPower plants, operational control rooms
Industry UsageDesign, safety analysis, researchDay-to-day plant operation, safety monitoring

Permanent Reactor Physics focuses on reactor design, safety analysis, and research, requiring specialized knowledge in physics and engineering. Reactor Operations involves managing the daily functions of running a nuclear reactor, emphasizing operational procedures and safety protocols. Both roles are essential in the nuclear industry but differ in focus and responsibilities.

What jobs can I get with a nuclear physics degree?

A nuclear physics degree can lead to careers such as reactor physicist, nuclear engineer, health physicist, or research scientist. These roles often involve working in nuclear power plants, research laboratories, or government agencies, and may require knowledge of radiation safety, computational modeling, and specialized software tools.

What is the highest paying physics job?

In the field of physics, roles such as nuclear reactor physicists, especially those working in high-level research, energy, or defense sectors, tend to have the highest salaries. These positions often require advanced degrees, specialized skills in reactor modeling and simulation, and security clearances, leading to compensation that surpasses many other physics-related jobs.

What is the salary of a nuclear physicist?

A nuclear physicist's salary typically ranges from $70,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Those working in research or industry may earn higher salaries, especially with advanced degrees and specialized skills in reactor physics or radiation safety.
More about Permanent Reactor Physics jobs
What cities are hiring for Permanent Reactor Physics jobs? Cities with the most Permanent Reactor Physics job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Reactor Physics jobs? The most popular types of Reactor Physics jobs are:
What states have the most Permanent Reactor Physics jobs? States with the most job openings for Permanent Reactor Physics jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Permanent Reactor Physics jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Permanent Reactor Physics jobs are:
Permanent Reactor Physics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Permanent Reactor Physics job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 80% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,902 per year, or $22.5 per hour.
Nuclear Methods Engineer

Nuclear Methods Engineer

Protingent

Bellevue, WA • On-site

$52 - $85/hr

Contractor

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description


Position Title: Nuclear Methods Engineer
Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Nuclear Methods Engineer opportunity.
Job Responsibilities:
  • Create formal documentation of nuclear methods software requirements, design, implementation, and testing in support of licensing Company's reactors.
  • Update, improve, and/or create software to satisfy all licensing requirements during the Validation and Verification (V&V) process
  • Incorporate additional 3rd-party programs in our simulation ecosystem as necessary to support licensing
  • Design and execute sensitivity studies to understand the effects and validity of various modeling assumptions, including meshing, physics coupling, transport options, cross section preparation, fission product models, spatial kinetics, etc., and adjust methods
  • as necessary
  • Train and support reactor designers and developers in the use of the design software suite
  • Build and apply methods to assess the propagation of uncertainty and their effect on safety margins
  • Enhance engineering team's ability to build models and make meaningful conclusions from simulation output through input tools, visualization, reports, etc.

Job Qualifications:
  • B.S. degree in Nuclear Engineering with 5-20 years of experience
  • M.S. degree in Nuclear Engineering with 3-15 years of experience
  • Ph.D. degree in Nuclear Engineering with 2-10 years of experience
  • Competitive candidates will typically have the above experience, but less experienced candidates with significant national laboratory, academia, or commercial reactor experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Fast reactor physics and design intuition
  • Experience in understanding and executing nuclear design/analysis methodologies, including criticality, flux/power distributions, fuel management optimization, reactivity coefficients, shielding, activation, control rod worth, detector response, and uncertainty
  • analysis, ideally with a focus on fast-neutron reactors
  • Excellent "under-the-hood" knowledge of the methods of reactor physics analysis (deterministic and stochastic particle transport, isotopic depletion, perturbation theory, nuclear data, kinetics, etc.)
  • Experience with some nuclear engineering software such as DIF3D, MC2, PARTISN, MCNP, Serpent, SCALE, PARCS, APA, CASMO, DRAGON, ARMI, etc. preferred
  • Strong computational expertise required: we consider computers to be the universe at our fingertips rather than burdensome necessities
  • Strong programming skills in any language required, preferably in scientific computing, Python, C++, and Fortran skills are a bonus
  • Proven ability to integrate and automate simulation tools
  • Demonstrable capabilities with fundamental software development tools (e.g. IDEs, version control, profilers, debuggers, documentation builders, packaging tools)
  • Experience interacting on nuclear methodology with the NRC under an ASME NQA-1 compliant QA environment preferred
  • Good working knowledge of general numerical methods and applied mathematics (e.g. PDEs, numerical stability, statistics, numerical analysis, dynamics)
  • Strong formal technical documentation skills required
  • Ability to consistently deliver to an aggressive schedule
  • Self-motivated: able to seek out tasks and produce value aligned with team goals without waiting for next assignment
  • Passion for and dedication to software best practices
  • Willingness to openly give and accept professional criticism through code reviews and other venues
  • Strong verbal communication skills desired
  • The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect, and a desire to foster teamwork
  • Travel Required: 0-5%. #TerraPro

Job Details:
  • Job Type: Contract
  • Pay Rate Range: $52 - $85/hr (Pay rates are approved based on candidate location, education and experience)
  • Location: 100% Remote Acceptable
  • Export control regulations require candidates to be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, or of a protected person status

Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO), and an administered 401k plan.
About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation - from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We're passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.
Meet Your Recruiter
Kelsey Servin
I have been in the staffing industry since 2006. I started in HR and held roles as a recruiter, account manager, director of major accounts, and VP of recruiting and sales before settling into my passion for technical recruiting. My various roles and experiences allow me to understand the ins and outs of the industry. My recruiting style is collaborative, and I work closely with candidates to understand what exactly they are looking for in a role to align them with as many opportunities as possible. I am responsive, easy to work with, and transparent, so candidates always know where they are in the process. I can help you achieve whatever YOU want out of your next opportunity, whether it is career, cultural, or financial growth. I would love to be the one to find your next position, but at the end of the day, it is most important that you end up in the best fit for you and your family. I am a talent sleuth at heart and love the thrill of helping a candidate find their dream job or helping a manager find the perfect person for their team. I am super positive, very knowledgeable about the industry, and a huge foodie! Reach out to me for all the above!

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