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.

The NRC protects public health and safety and advances common defense and security by enabling the safe and secure use and deployment of civilian nuclear energy technologies and radioactive materials through efficient and reliable licensing, oversight, and regulation for the benefit of society and the environment.

This Project Engineer (Resident Inspector Development Program) position is located in several NRC locations including: Atlanta, GA; Naperville, IL; King of Prussia, PA; and Arlington, TX.

Duties

Participating in formal classroom training and other developmental activities to gain full certification as an NRC Inspector.

Participating in the assessment of licensee performance at nuclear facilities; the selectee/s will perform direct inspections of licensee activities during operation phases.

Planning, preparing, and performing in-depth inspections at assigned plant(s) during start-up, operation and decommissioning to ensure compliance with design specifications, and conditions of the operating license.

Ensuring inspection program completion in accordance with schedules specified in the Inspection Manual or other official documents.

Preparing and presenting inspection reports describing findings and conclusions regarding the licensee's safety performance and conformance with NRC requirements, provisions of operating licenses, and applicable industry codes and standards.

Assisting the Branch Chief or Senior Project Engineer in the handling of allegations and tracking the status of allegations.

Selectees will be assigned to work based upon geographic preference indicated in their application. The selectees must become qualified through the NRC Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 1245 process within two years. Upon completion of training, developmental assignments, and qualification process, selectees will be expected to seek reassignment to a Resident Inspector position at one of the Resident Inspector Offices.

Geographic mobility is a condition of employment for selection under this announcement and selectee must sign a Mobility Agreement. The Mobility Agreement will be furnished to selectee at the point of job offer and must be signed at the time the offer is accepted.

NOTE THAT THE TOUR LENGTH FOR A RESIDENT INSPECTOR AT A SINGLE SITE IS LIMITED TO TEN (10) YEARS BY COMMISSION POLICY.

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 a thorough knowledge of the principles, theories, and practices in the field of engineering. You must also have recent experience associated with applying any of a variety of relevant professional engineering disciplines (e.g., nuclear, electrical, mechanical, metallurgical, structural, chemical). Recent experience in the industry of commercial, government or military nuclear power is preferred. You must also be familiar with nuclear industry standards, rules and regulations and be able to apply them.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

(1) Knowledge of the design features and operating characteristics of nuclear facilities by describing professional experience with reactor facilities, commercial, government, or military. This experience may have been as a power plant operator, in a staff position in operations, or associated with plant operations.
(2) Demonstrated ability to evaluate activities and events, develop inspection findings, and evaluate adequacy of corrective actions.
(3) Demonstrated ability to develop and implement successful approaches to problem solving and conflict resolution.
(4) Demonstrated ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing.

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.

Education

To qualify for these positions, you must meet BOTH basic education/professional knowledge requirements that apply to Federal engineering positions at all grade levels AND the specialized experience requirements outlined above no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. Regardless of the grade level of the vacancy, candidates for Federal Government professional engineering positions must meet certain basic professional knowledge requirements.

Generally, these knowledge requirements are met by having a bachelor's or higher degree in a relevant professional engineering discipline (e.g., nuclear, electrical, mechanical, metallurgical, structural, chemical) from a school of engineering with at least one professional engineering curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). If you do not possess such a professional engineering degree, you may still satisfy the professional knowledge requirements if you have current Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration in one of the relevant disciplines from any U.S. State or Territory; or if you successfully passed an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) written examination administered by a State Board of Engineering Examiners; or if you have either a related professional degree or at least 60 semester hours of specified engineering-related college courses combined with at least a year of professional engineering work experience performed under professional engineer supervision and guidance.

Note: Engineering technology degrees are not generally qualifying unless supplemented by other evidence of your professional knowledge (e.g., current P.E. license or EIT examination results, as discussed above).

You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application. Transcript must include the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). Education must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree.

How to Apply

Visit www.nrc.gov Review the NRC Career Opportunities page, click on Apply Now then Search for New Opportunities and click on view a list of current NRC vacancies at USAJOBS. Or click on the apply button/link on this site to be taken to the NRC USAJOBS.gov employment page. Find the Direct Hire Public Notice Project Engineer (RIDP) Announcement Number DE-13093859-27-KL and apply on-line by February 1, 2027.

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.

Note: This is a Direct-Hire opportunity. Your application goes to a resume database and may be used during the notice period.

If you are viewing this opportunity after February 1, 2027, please visit the NRC website and discover additional opportunities for which you might be interested or visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?a=NU00.