Background

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proud to be ranked among the best places to work for compensation, work-life balance, and performance for mid-sized agencies in the Federal Government. We've earned our top ratings by creating a work environment rich in opportunity, leadership training, teamwork, and work life balance. Help guide our nation into the next generation of nuclear safety! Begin a challenging career with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission where you can be part of a select group of professionals who protect people and the environment with the peaceful use of nuclear materials in medicine, industry, and research.

Duties:

The NRC is currently accepting resumes from interested candidates with a background in Engineering, Physical Science, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Data Science to become part of the 2027 Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship Network (NRAN) cohort for our Rockville, Maryland Headquarters location. This cohort will commence in July 2027. Individuals with a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree from a qualifying educational institution with a graduation date between from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 will be considered.

NRC employees have responsibilities that include: protecting public health and safety; protecting the environment; protecting and safeguarding nuclear materials and plants in the interest of national security; and assuring conformity with antitrust laws. Agency employees perform these functions through standards-setting and rulemaking, technical reviews and studies; conducting public hearings; issuance of authorizations, permits, and licenses; inspection, investigation, and enforcement; evaluation of operating experience; and confirmatory research.
Actual duties will vary depending on placement in the engineering or scientific training and development track. The NRAN program is comprised of two phases. The initial training phase focuses on regulatory, technical, and organizational fundamentals, followed by the apprenticeship phase in the regions and headquarters program offices. Each apprenticeship is designed towards gaining a variety of skills, competencies, and position experience. At the end of the program, cohort members are reassigned into positions in the program offices and regions that have been identified to meet the skill needs of the agency.

Phase I is a foundational knowledge phase. The programming is executed to the members together as one cohort. This phase focuses on agency and program orientation, cohort development, and training on regulatory fundamentals, technical fundamentals, organization knowledge, and NRC values and culture. The length may vary, but it is generally 10-15 weeks in duration. During Phase I, the cohort may have opportunities to travel to the regions, site visits, and training at the NRC's Technical Training Center in Chattanooga, TN, as arranged through the program.

Phase II is the apprenticeship phase. In this phase, NRAN members engage in three (3) 4-5-month apprenticeships where they gain hands-on experience in regulatory decision-making positions. It is generally expected that one of the apprenticeships be based in a regional office, with support for travel provided by the agency. The expected activities and accomplishments for each apprenticeship are discussed in advance among the NRAN member, apprenticeship supervisor from the receiving office or region, and NRAN Branch Chief. Expectations are then documented in a signed apprenticeship agreement. Changes in the agreement must be mutually agreed upon by the three signing parties. This phase may include designated technical trainings.

Qualifications:

You must meet basic education and professional knowledge requirements that apply to Federal engineering and physical sciences positions for the grade levels to which you are applying. Knowledge requirements are typically met by having a bachelor's or higher degree in a relevant professional engineering or physical science discipline from a school of engineering with at least one engineering curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or by documenting how you meet the minimum OPM qualification standards for the 0801 Occupational Series or 1301 Occupational Series.

Education requirements for the NRAN program may also be met by having a bachelor's or higher degree in a relevant computer science, data science, or cybersecurity discipline that meets the minimum OPM qualification standards for the 1550 Occupational Series or 1560 Occupational Series. *If qualifying based on a degree in computer science, data science, or cybersecurity discipline, completed coursework must include at least two courses in either engineering or physical science and at least two courses in college-level mathematics (e.g., calculus, statistics, linear algebra, differential equations, etc.) completed at an accredited university or college with a score of B- or higher in each.
Engineering technology degrees are not generally qualifying unless supplemented by other evidence of the individual's professional knowledge (e.g., current P.E. license or EIT examination results, as discussed above).

Education

The position has an education requirement for the following entry level grades:
GG-07
Bachelor's degree in an Engineering or Physical Science, Computer Science, Data Science, or Cybersecurity discipline, with at least a 3.0 overall GPA.
GG-09
Master's degree in an Engineering or Physical Science, Computer Science, Data Science, or Cybersecurity discipline, with at least a 3.0 overall GPA.
GG-11
Doctoral degree in an Engineering or Physical Science, Computer Science, Data Science, or Cybersecurity discipline, with at least a 3.0 overall GPA.

How to Apply

Note: Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes that are up to two pages in length.

We strongly encourage you to complete your USAJOBS profile before you submit your application. You may either select your required documents within your USAJOBS profile to upload with your application or directly upload them during the application process.
Access this NRC employment opportunity at USAJOBS the Federal Government’s official employment site at: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/883091800 The Announcement Number is: DEST-13047029-26-BD.

Note: It is essential for you to view the official Job Opportunity Announcement found on USAJOBS. It will provide precise information about the qualification requirements and the exact documents to be submitted for you to be evaluated, which will include your resume (not to exceed two pages in length), your transcripts, your responses to all required vacancy questions and any documents related to application eligibilities you may be claiming.

Apply online by September 30, 2026.
ALL applicants must submit:

1. Current Resume—Limited to two pages in length

2. Responses to the vacancy assessment online questions

3. College Transcript -- You must submit an official or unofficial copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application, as the position has a positive education requirement. Failure to submit transcripts will result in loss of consideration.

If you are viewing this opportunity after September 30th, please visit NRC’s website and discover additional opportunities for which you might be interested and review any possible job openings.