Demo

Nuclear Safety Engineer

Y-12 National Security Complex
Oak Ridge, TN Full Time
POSTED ON 4/7/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/6/2026
Location: Oak Ridge, TN

Job Title:
Nuclear Safety Engineer

Career Level From: Associate

Career Level To: Senior Associate

Organization: Nuclear Safety Engineering (51386721)

Job Specialty: Nuclear Engineering Safety

What You'll Do

As a nuclear safety engineer, you will work to fulfill an important regulatory function in a dynamic environment. Our nuclear safety engineers are responsible for obtaining federal authorization to conduct nuclear operations at the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12). These operations, which support the manufacture of nuclear weapon components and naval reactor fuel stock, involve a wide range of activities including chemical processing, metal production, casting, machining, assembly and disassembly, transportation, and storage.

Nuclear safety engineers are responsible for evaluating accidents that could occur during operations (events ranging from process upsets and equipment failures to fires, earthquakes, and floods). Nuclear safety engineers also are responsible for identifying the safety measures that need to be implemented to ensure the workers and public are adequately protected. Those measures range from administrative controls, such as material inventory limits, to engineered controls, such as fire suppression systems. To fulfill those responsibilities, nuclear safety engineers must develop a working knowledge of Y-12 operations and federal nuclear safety requirements and work closely with subject matter experts representing Operations, Engineering, and numerous other Y-12 organizations.

Nuclear Safety Engineers Routinely Perform The Following Tasks

  • Conduct hazard evaluation studies and accident analyses
  • Identify safety controls that ensure adequate protection of workers and the public
  • Perform Unreviewed Safety Question Determinations to determine if federal approval is needed before making changes to operating procedures or facility equipment
  • Evaluate operational events and new technical information to identify potential nuclear safety issues
  • Maintain safety basis documentation for nuclear operations via development of document change notices and annual updates
  • Support projects to design, install, and start up new capabilities and technologies
  • Develop major modification determinations to identify requirements when making substantial changes to nuclear operations or nuclear facilities
  • Brief federal counterparts on the safety posture of nuclear operations at Y-12 to include both the scope of hazards analyzed and the safety controls identified

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

Minimum Job Requirements

  • The position requires a minimum of a bachelor of science degree in engineering, mathematics, chemistry, or physics from a program accredited by the U.S. Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). Designated equivalents from Canada or Mexico, the Washington Accord, or the list of substantially equivalent programs as documented by the EAC ABET will also be considered.
  • 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.
    • 3.0/4.0 minimum cumulative GPA for Bachelor degree
    • 3.3/4.0 minimum cumulative GPA for Master degree
    • 3.5/4.0 minimum cumulative GPA for PhD
  • In addition, the applicant must meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e., Baccalaureate in engineering or related scientific major, 2 years job-related, and 1-year nuclear experience; or a DOE O 426.2A alternative). DOE 426.2A experience requirements can be satisfied following employment. In the interim, newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities. (Ref. DOE O 426.2A)
Preferred Job Requirements

Preferred candidates have demonstrated an ability in developing, implementing, and maintaining safety basis documentation in accordance with 10 CFR 830, Nuclear Safety Management and applicable DOE directives and standards.

Preferred candidates must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

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.

Position may require entry into Materials Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP). If HRP is required, candidate must complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph, pursuant to 10CFR 709. Medical requirements may apply.

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.

Salary.com Estimation for Nuclear Safety Engineer in Oak Ridge, TN
$67,546 to $82,564
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Y-12 National Security Complex

  • Y-12 National Security Complex Oak Ridge, TN
  • Location: Oak Ridge, TN Job Title: Structural Engineer Career Level From: Associate Career Level To: Senior Specialist Organization: HVAC/Civil/Str/Arc Fac... more
  • 10 Days Ago

  • Y-12 National Security Complex Oak Ridge, TN
  • Location: Oak Ridge, TN Job Title: Production Planning Analyst (MRP) Career Level From: Associate Career Level To: Senior Specialist Job Specialty: Product... more
  • 10 Days Ago

  • Y-12 National Security Complex Oak Ridge, TN
  • Location: Oak Ridge, TN Job Title: Piping Engineer Career Level From: Associate Career Level To: Senior Associate Organization: Design Engineering (5051332... more
  • 13 Days Ago

  • Y-12 National Security Complex Oak Ridge, TN
  • Location: Oak Ridge, TN Job Title: Admin Support - Y-12 Nuclear Safety Engineering Career Level: Senior Assistant Organization: Y-12 Nuclear Engineering (5... more
  • 13 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Nuclear Safety Engineer jobs in the Oak Ridge, TN area that may be a better fit.

  • Boston Government Services, LLC Oak Ridge, TN
  • Boston Government Services, LLC. (BGS) has created this Evergreen Talent Pool post for gathering qualified candidates for a position relating to Senior Nuc... more
  • 15 Days Ago

  • AtkinsRéalis Oak Ridge, TN
  • Overview We are seeking a Nuclear Safety Engineer Energy to join our team in Oak Ridge, TN. Your role Stops work without fear of reprisal for unsafe condit... more
  • 1 Day Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!