Summary
This position is located in Division of Advanced Reactor Programs.
The supervisor is Ravi Penmetsa.
This position is subject to Public Financial Disclosure reporting requirements.This position is subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Federal employees - Competitive service
Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.
Federal employees - Excepted service
Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.
Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Special authorities
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
Clarification from the agency
Applicants must provide proof of eligibility (e.g., Schedule A documentation) as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement.
Duties
The successful candidate will serve as an agency authority on advanced reactor nuclear engineering, providing expert technical leadership on the safety analysis, licensing, and regulatory evaluation of advanced nuclear reactor technologies, including non-light-water reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs), and microreactors.
The incumbent serves as a recognized expert in advanced reactor safety analysis and licensing, integrating expertise in nuclear safety analysis and safety case development, severe accident analysis and source term evaluation, fuel performance and technologies, reactor systems design and analysis, and computational methods, modeling, and code development to support the design, construction, operation, and licensing of advanced reactor facilities.
Particular emphasis is placed on evaluating technical performance and uncertainty in the development of integrated advanced reactor safety cases, including licensing basis events, defense-in-depth, structures, systems, and components (SSC) classification and special treatment, source term analyses, and risk-informed, performance-based regulatory decision making.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Serves as an agency staff technical expert on advanced reactor nuclear engineering, providing authoritative technical leadership on the safety analysis, licensing, and regulatory evaluation of advanced nuclear reactor technologies, including non-light-water reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs), and microreactors. Advises senior management on highly complex technical, safety, and regulatory issues involving advanced reactor safety analysis, safety case development, severe accident and source term evaluation, fuel performance, reactor systems, computational methods, and risk-informed, performance-based licensing approaches.
- Provides independent technical reviews of, or leads multidisciplinary teams responsible for resolving, significant and complex technical issues affecting the design, construction, operation, and licensing of advanced reactor facilities. Evaluates integrated safety analyses, licensing basis events, structures, systems, and components (SSC) classification and special treatment, defense-in-depth, reactor systems performance, fuel qualification, severe accidents, source terms, uncertainty analyses, and advanced analytical methods, and develops technically sound and regulatorily defensible approaches to support licensing decisions.
- Represents the agency on national and international technical committees, regulatory working groups, and code and standards organizations, and coordinates with NRC offices, the Department of Energy (DOE), national laboratories, industry, applicants, and international counterparts to advance regulatory guidance, resolve complex technical issues, and support the timely, safe, and effective licensing and deployment of advanced reactor technologies.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
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, if you have not already completed a trial period.
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
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.
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.
Education
All Professional Engineering Positions, 0840 Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: Professional engineering. To be acceptable, the program must:
- Lead to a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related engineering discipline from a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or
- Include differential and integral calculus and coursework in engineering science and nuclear engineering appropriate to the position.
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that demonstrates:
- A thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying nuclear engineering; and
- A sound theoretical and practical understanding of nuclear engineering principles and their application.
Applicants qualifying under this option must meet one of the qualifying provisions described in the OPM qualification standard, such as professional engineering registration or licensure, successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, specified academic coursework, or a related scientific curriculum combined with qualifying professional engineering experience.
Transcripts Required
You must submit unofficial or official transcripts with your application. Transcripts must identify the institution, student name, degree awarded (if applicable), and date awarded. If you possess multiple qualifying degrees (e.g., B.S., M.S., Ph.D.), submit transcripts for each degree. Education must have been obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see
the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education.
All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
This position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with the agency policy.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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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. The benefits link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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 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.
Required Documents
The following documents are required for your application package to be complete. If you fail to provide any required documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
- Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, title, series, grade (if applicable); and 4) other qualifications. Please limit your resume to 2 pages. See below for Additional Resume Information.
- Transcripts: You must submit an official or unofficial copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application, if the position has a positive education requirement. Failure to submit transcripts will result in loss of consideration. Diplomas do not provide the information needed for determining qualifications and will not be accepted in lieu of transcripts.
In addition to the above, you must submit the documents below if you claim the following eligibilities:
- Current Federal Employees/Reinstatement Eligibles: You must submit a copy of your most recent non-award SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive/excepted status or reinstatement eligibility. Applicants who only submit an award SF-50 will not receive further consideration.
- Veteran Preference Eligibles: You must submit DD-214 showing type of discharge/character of service (e.g. DD-214 Member 4 Copy); SF-15 Form; and related documentation such as a VA letter showing disability percentage. If currently on active duty, you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active-duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.
- Individuals with Disabilities: If you are applying under the Schedule A Hiring Authority, you must submit supporting documentation (i.e., Schedule A Letter). You may refer to the following link for additional information. USAJOBS Help Center - Individuals with disabilities.
- Military Spouse: All military spouses must submit documentation verifying marriage to the service member (e.g., marriage certificate); AND
- Current military orders (e.g., statement of service) to support active-duty service for more than 180 consecutive days; OR
- If you are a spouse of a 100% disabled service member, documentation must include service member's DD-214 and 100% service disability (e.g., VA Letter); OR
- If you are an un-remarried widow or widower of a service member killed while on active duty, documentation must include verification of service member's death while on active duty (e.g., DD-1300).
- Peace Corps: You must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility.
All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.Additional Resume Information:Your resume is crucial in our evaluation of your qualifications. Resumes should clearly demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and abilities.
Please limit your résumé to 2 pages. To ensure your resume contains all required information, we encourage you to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder. If you choose to use your own resume, please ensure it contains all the required information, and you organize it so we can associate the following information with each experience/position:
- Job title
- Name of employer
- Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/year) format
- Hours worked per week. We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated. We will pro-rate part-time employment in crediting experience.
- Concise, results-focused language for job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable).
- Series and grade or equivalent (if a federal position).
Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) or other inappropriate material on your resume or cover letter.
If your resume contains prohibited information as listed above, your application may be determined ineligible, and you will not receive consideration for this position. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter, links to social media such as LinkedIn, to determine your qualifications. Cover letters are optional.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting 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.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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 08/12/2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For a preview of the application questions, please see https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13004588.Your complete application must include your resume, responses to all required vacancy questions, and any required documents that prove your eligibility to apply.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.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.
Next steps
You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBs and selecting "Application Status." You will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We will review your resume and transcript(s) (if appropriate) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and may interview the best-qualified applicants. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability and/or security background investigation.