Senior/Principal Nuclear Reactor Engineer and Operator - Nuclear Facilities Operations, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 118,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Senior Nuclear Reactor Engineer and Operator to join the Nuclear Facilities Operations team. You will tackle complex challenges at the forefront of nuclear technology, functioning as a Reactor Operator and contributing to both the Annular Core Research Reactor and the Critical Experiments Reactor.

The role offers meaningful work with a focus on safety culture, hands-on reactor operations, and collaboration across engineering and operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science, technology or engineering plus 5 years experience or equivalent.
• Experience at a nuclear reactor facility in operations/maintenance.
• Ability to certify as Reactor Operator within 1 year of hire.
• Ability to obtain DOE Q security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform Reactor Engineer/Operator duties, operating a reactor as a certified Reactor Operator.
• Prepare and handle experiment packages and crane operations.
• Maintain and repair reactor systems and support equipment including forklift operations.
• Support experiment plan development and execution at nuclear facilities and reactors.
• Ensure operations align with strong nuclear safety culture and effective decision making.
• Prepare and present technical reports for professional groups.

Skills

Nuclear engineering

Reactor operations

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in science/engineering

Navy Nuclear Power School

Tools

Crane operations

Job description

About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting‑edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

• These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like

Are you ready to make a significant impact on national security and advance your career in nuclear engineering? Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a Senior Nuclear Reactor Engineer and Operator to join our innovative team. In this role, you will take on complex challenges at the forefront of nuclear technology, working alongside passionate professionals committed to excellence.

At Sandia, we offer meaningful work that matters, flexible scheduling, and a supportive environment designed to promote a healthy work/life balance. As a valued member of our Nuclear Facilities Operations team, you will contribute to both the Annular Core Research Reactor and the Critical Experiments Reactor, engaging in projects that drive progress and shape the future.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Perform Reactor Engineer/Operator duties, which includes operating a reactor as a certified Reactor Operator.
• Help prepare and handle experiment packages which may involve crane operations.
• Maintain and repair reactor systems and associated support equipment which may involve forklift operations.
• Support experiment plan development and execution at nuclear facilities, radiological facilities, and reactors.
• Ensure that facility operations align with the framework of a strong nuclear safety culture and implement effective operational decision-making.
• Prepare and present technical reports and presentations for professional organizations and user groups.

Join our dedicated team and attain your goals while making a difference!

Due to the nature of the work, the selected candidate must be able to work onsite.

Salary Range

$117,500 - $235,700

• Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Qualifications We Require

• Bachelor's degree in relevant science, technology or engineering field plus 5 years relevant experience - or - an Associates degree plus 8 years of relevant experience - or - completion of Navy Nuclear Power School plus 8 years relevant experience - or - combination of education and relevant experience
• Experience at a nuclear reactor facility in operations/maintenance
• Within one year from date of hire, you are required to certify Reactor Operator in accordance with Facility Operations Staff Training and Certification Requirements
• Able to acquire and maintain a DOE Q security clearance

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters' degree in a STEM discipline
• Current or previous experience as a Reactor Operator
• Mechanical background
• Experience maintaining and repairing Reactor Instrumentation and Control Systems
• Knowledge of SNL reactor facilities
• Familiarity with DOE nuclear facility requirements
• Ability to complete complex assignments with minimal management guidance
• Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and organizational skills to balance multiple tasks and deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, written and communication skills
• Experience with troubleshooting and repair
• Current DOE Q security clearance

About Our Team

Nuclear Facilities Operations, Department (1381) provides operational management of nuclear reactor facilities within TA-V. These facilities include the Annular Core Research Reactor Facility and the Sandia Pulsed Reactor Facility. These nuclear facilities are used in the conduct of experiments for a wide variety of programmatic customers. Detailed facility descriptions are captured in the documented safety analysis for each nuclear facility.

Posting Duration

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

Eeo

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements For MedPEDs

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.