Supervisory Nuclear Engineer

Department of Energy

• $120K — $145K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 5 years of specialized experience in nuclear engineering or related field.
  • Demonstrated expertise in reactor core and plant materials design and evaluation.
  • Knowledge in nuclear safety standards and compliance requirements.
  • Experience in supervising and managing a technical team within a complex regulatory environment.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Provide technical oversight for Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program projects.
  • Evaluate contractor programs for reactor component design and testing compliance.
  • Represent the NNSA in technical meetings and briefings with stakeholders.
  • Oversee contractor quality assurance to ensure adherence to safety standards.
  • Deliver expert advice on reactor materials and technology efforts for management and contractors.
  • Manage a team overseeing contractor technical programs, ensuring efficient resource use.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance options available.
  • Generous retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
  • Paid vacation and sick leave, with additional holidays observed.
  • Training and development opportunities for career advancement.
  • Flexible work scheduling options, including limited telework possibilities.
Full Job Description
Summary

This position is part of the Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office, Department of Energy.

National Nuclear Security Administration Demonstration Project:

This position is covered by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Demonstration Project. The NN-04 pay band is equivalent to the GS-14-15 grade levels. For more information on the NNSA Demonstration Project and Pay Band/Salary Tables, review http://www.energy.gov/nnsa/nnsas-demo-pay-system-compared-general-schedule.

Duties

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PLEASE NOTE: This is an Open Continuous Announcement which allows acceptance of applications through the closing date of 12/07/2026. Check the "How to Apply" section for more details.

As a Supervisory Nuclear Engineer, NN-0840-04, you will:

  • Serve as a nationally recognized authority or principal expert providing technical and programmatic oversight of assigned Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP) projects and initiatives.
  • Review, evaluate, and appraise contractor programs related to reactor core and plant materials, reactor component design, development, manufacturing, and testing to ensure conformance with Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program technical, safety, and performance requirements.
  • Serve as a technical advisory capacity, and as a representative in meetings, panels, task forces, and conferences with other federal agencies, state agencies, national laboratories, universities, and other stakeholders to present briefings.
  • Review, evaluate, and provide oversight of contractor quality assurance programs and initiatives to verify that processes, procedures, and products meet applicable Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Department of Energy, and Department of Navy requirements.
  • Provide expert technical and programmatic advice, recommendations, and guidance to management and contractor counterparts on issues involving reactor core and plant materials, reactor components, design methods, testing programs, and related technology efforts.
  • Supervise a staff of employees engaged in the review and oversight of contractor technical programs; assign work, set priorities, evaluate performance, provide coaching and development, and ensure effective use of personnel and other resources in accomplishing the office's mission.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. See www.sss.gov.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final DOE Q level security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required. A tentative offer of employment may be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or pass the test. You will be subject to random testing.
  • You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).
  • A one year probationary period may be required. Employees serving on probationary period may be terminated at any time during the probationary for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
  • Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time.
  • Reinstated employees who returned to Federal service after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probation will be required to complete a new probationary period.
  • Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
  • First time supervisors will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
  • Your answers to the essay questions will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
  • This position does not support 100% remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified in this announcement. Situational telework may be approved.
  • This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
  • Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
  • Resumes may not exceed two pages. Please see additional information in the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" section of the job announcement.


Qualifications

In addition to demonstrating the basic requirement listed in the education section of this announcement, applicants must also demonstrate possession of specialized experience.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level NN-03 (GS-13) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:

  1. Demonstrates comprehensive professional knowledge of nuclear engineering principles, methods, and practices.
  2. Experience applying industrial, environmental, radiological, nuclear criticality safety, material control and accountability, and safeguards principles and requirements in nuclear fuel laboratory operations.
  3. Experience assessing contractor manufacturing activities for nuclear-powered reactor systems to ensure compliance with program requirements.


Please ensure that your resume does not exceed two (2) pages in length. If you submit more than two pages, only the first two will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be shared with the hiring manager if you are referred.

You can find the qualification standards for the announced position on the Office of Personnel Management website.

All Professional Engineering Positions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule (GS) position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service at the, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Few exceptions are outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). NOTE: Current or former GS federal civilian employees, applying for a position under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) must meet time-in-grade requirements.

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

  • Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
  • Duties (be specific in describing your duties, we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience)
  • Employer's name and address
  • Supervisor name and phone number
  • Start and end dates including month, and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position.
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)


You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for a position by substituting education or training for experience, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

Basic Education Requirement for Engineering Positions 0800:

  • Bachelor's Degree (or higher) in Engineering OR
  • Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate professional field, provided you have had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. OR
  • Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum. OR
  • Current registration as a Professional Engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico allows eligibility only if your registration is within or closely related to nuclear engineering.


For Professional, Scientific and Engineering Positions: If qualifying on the basis of an alternate method, i.e., professional license, you must submit official documentation to support your claim with your application package. If selected for the position you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to onboarding.

Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the qualification requirements. You must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.

If this vacancy specifies particular educational requirements, please provide documentation to verify your educational claims. This can include unofficial transcripts or any report that lists the institution, courses titles, credit earned, and final grades. For additional information, please see experience.">How to fill out your education.

Additional information

  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
  • As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
  • In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
  • Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.


Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with mult

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