Nuclear Criticality Safety (Engineer in Training)

Consolidated Nuclear Security; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Prescription drug plan

Vision plan

Dental plan

Employer matched 401(k)

Job summary

Consolidated Nuclear Security is seeking an Entry-Level Engineer in Training to grow in Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS). You will develop capabilities to analyze fissile materials handling, storage, and processing under supervision, ensuring safety and compliance with Nuclear Safety requirements.

You will learn to perform criticality analyses, support procedures, and use NCS computing tools while contributing to safety and mission readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Physical Science from ABET-accredited program in the United States or equivalent (Canada/Mexico, Washington Accord)
• MS in Engineering/Physical Science or PhD in Engineering/Physical Science

Responsibilities

• Perform Criticality Safety Analysis of equipment and processes.
• Review procedures prescribing correct methods, control requirements, and limitations.
• Participate in surveillance, inspections, walkthroughs, appraisals, or audits of fissile material operations for compliance with Nuclear Criticality Safety Approvals and related regulations.
• Provide NCS interpretations and advice to operating areas in agreement with senior engineers.
• Validate, maintain, and operate nuclear computer codes and cross-sections.

Job description

Requisition ID20119-Posted08/13/2026-Engineering- Level of Experience (2) -Travel - 30% or less- Job Location Options (1)

What You'll Do

The Engineer in Training is an entry level position. As such this positions provides technical capabilities in Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) to ensure fissile materials are processed, stored, transferred, and handled safely so that personnel and property are protected against a criticality accident while under the tutelage of an experienced NCS engineer.

Learns to perform Criticality Safety Analysis of equipment, processes, and reviews procedures prescribing correct methods, control requirements, and limitations. Performs or participates in surveillance, inspections, walkthroughs, appraisals, or audits of fissile material operations to ensure compliance with Nuclear Criticality Safety Approvals, Nuclear Safety rules, including Safety Analysis Reports, Safety Assessments, Safety Reviews, and risk assessments/analyses.

Provides operating areas with specific NCS professional interpretations and advice as concurred with by experienced NCS engineers. Validates, maintains, and operates nuclear computer codes and nuclear cross-sections.

What You Can Expect

• Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
• Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
• Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
• Career advancement and professional development programs
• Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Physical Science [Chemistry, Physics, or related] from an Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program in the United States or designated equivalents from Canada or Mexico, the Washington Accord, or the list of substantially equivalent as documented by ABET and 2 years of relevant experience. OR MS in Engineering/Physical science. OR PhD in Engineering/Physical science.
• There is a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement up to 4 years post-graduation at time of offer and confirmed by transcript. Beyond four years from graduation, engineering experience will supersede GPA as a requirement for hire.
• 3.5 minimum cumulative GPA for PhD

Preferred Job Requirements

• Nuclear Engineering degree or graduate from either the US Navy Nuclear Power School or the Bettis Reactor Engineering School
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• 3+ years of work experience in nuclear industry
• Prior qualification as an NCS engineer at a DOE or NRC regulated facility
• Experience with MCNP and/or KENO
• Proficiency with a computing language such as Python
• Security clearance

Why Y-12?

You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home, work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek, while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors, so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, dental plan, employer matched 401(k) savings plan, disability coverage, education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership? Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace, at Y-12, you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.

Notes

The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.

If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.

Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.

This position may require entry into the Material Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (10 C.F.R. Part 712), which requires successful competition of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation and may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

This position may be categorized as a “designated position” identified by 10 C.F.R. Part 709, requiring successful completion of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation that may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.

CNS is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.

CNS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability or veteran status.