Nuclear Engineer

Summary

These positions are located in Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR), Division of Risk Assessment and Safety Systems (DRSS), Nuclear Engineering Branch B (NEBB) and Office of Advanced Reactors (OAR). The supervisors are Nicholas DiFrancesco and Scott Krepel. These positions are subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements. These positions are subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

Duties

The successful candidate will perform the full range of Nuclear Engineer, GG-0840-14. Such duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for the following pertaining to reactor core or fuel design, nuclear methods, reactor systems and evaluations of operating performance for operating or new light-water or non-light-water power or non-power production or utilization facility applications: 1) performing and supporting reviews and evaluations of the reactor core, fuel and thermal-hydraulic systems design, process design parameters, nuclear methods, and performance, 2) supporting the resolution of complex technical issues and licensing problems, 3) providing in-depth technical assistance and authoritative advice relating to the safety aspects of the reactor core and systems design.

Requirements

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. All information in your resume must be true and accurate. Conditions of Employment: U.S. Citizenship Required This is a Drug Testing position Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: Experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of this position at the GG/GS-14 grade level or equivalent pay band to include experience performing complex nuclear engineering reviews, support of regulatory reviews, policy, and technical decision-making. Experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to accomplish goals and objectives. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following: Demonstrate capacity to apply the theories, principles, and practices in the field of reactor core, fuel and thermal-hydraulic systems design and nuclear methods sufficient to perform complex reviews and evaluations of nuclear and thermal-hydraulic aspects of the reactor core under steady-state, transient, and accident conditions, including issues pertaining to core physics, fuel behavior, and reactivity control system and control rod design for operating or new light-water or non-light-water power or non-power reactor or nuclear fuel designs. Demonstrate ability in formulating sound technical judgements, making technical or policy recommendations, and finding solutions to unique first of a kind technical or policy challenges regarding issues pertaining to event evaluation in the areas of core physics, fuel behavior, reactivity control system and control rod design, and core thermal-hydraulic performance. Demonstrate knowledge of NRC rules, regulations, and policies pertaining to light-water or non-light-water power or non-power production or utilization facilities through familiarity with NRC's advanced reactor vison, strategy, and policy activities, reactor licensing regulations, passive reactor design policies, system design standards, and regulatory guides and practices. Demonstrate ability to communicate information, ideas, and advice in a clear, concise, and logical manner, both orally and in writing. Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with management and staff, colleagues, and representatives of external organizations. A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria. PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Evaluations

When the application process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. Your application will be evaluated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job requirements. You must respond to all required application questions. If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for possible interview and selection based upon the number of available vacancies to be filled in each office. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a resume that directly relates to this position.

Benefits

As an NRC employee you will enjoy excellent Federal Benefits, including: comprehensive health and life insurance plans; Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care; Dental and Vision Insurance; retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan); annual (vacation) and paid sick leave; family friendly leave policies; 11 paid holidays per year; transit benefits. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees.

How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application. To be considered for this position, you must complete the online application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 10/23/2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For a preview of the application questions, please see https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13071367. To begin your application, select the "Apply" button located on the right side of this screen. Follow the subsequent prompts to log in or register, submit all required documents, answer the questions, and complete the application process. You may either select your required documents within your USAJOBS profile to upload with your application or directly upload them during the application process. The following types of document types can be uploaded: .gif, jpg., .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, .doc, and .docx. Important Considerations: Paper Applications: Paper applications will not be accepted unless you can demonstrate hardship circumstances through the agency contact listed below. Application Extensions: Requests for application extensions will not be granted. Hardship Assistance: If you experience hardship applying online, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below for assistance. You must reach out during business hours before the announcement closing date and speak with someone who can provide support for your online submission. The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the coordinator at (301) 415-5888 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Your complete application must include your resume, responses to all required vacancy questions, and any required documents that prove your eligibility to apply.

Other information This position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within the agency. Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service. The NRC is a zero-tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for these positions will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing. A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires. To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a waiver is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment. If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance.