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Engineer I - V CNS (Reactor/Fuels)

Brownville, NE, US, 68321-0098

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) has an immediate opening for a Engineer I - V CNS (Reactor/Fuels) located at Cooper Nuclear Station in Brownville, Nebraska.  Position closes March 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. 

 

Position Summary

Cooper Nuclear Station is seeking a Reactor or Fuels Engineer to support its Nuclear plant operations.

 
The Reactor Engineer provides technical expertise and on‑call support to the control room to ensure safe and efficient reactor operations. This role is responsible for preparing and reviewing fuel and control blade shuffle plans, reactivity plans, and procedures related to core operation and nuclear fuel management. The position manages Special Nuclear Material tracking and inventory, supports refueling outage activities, monitors and trends reactor performance, and conducts LPRM calibration using the Traversing In‑core Probe system. Additional responsibilities include supporting new fuel receipt and inspection, as well as contributing to dry fuel storage campaigns through canister loading plan development and long‑range fuel storage planning.
 
The Fuels Engineer supports the full lifecycle of nuclear fuel by leading core design, analysis, operational support, and vendor oversight activities. The engineer provides direct operational support through rod pattern development, critical position estimates, and core monitoring updates, while also overseeing vendor engineering products and fuel manufacturing to ensure quality and compliance with plant licensing bases. This role offers broad experience in the buy, build, burn, and bury phases of nuclear fuel, preparing the engineer to become a full‑service BWR Fuels Engineer.
 

This position may be assigned to a position within the Emergency Response Organization (ERO) that requires response to the station when an emergency is declared. Assignment to one of these positions and a condition of continued employment will be the ability to arrive at the station to perform ERO responsibilities within 45 minutes of notification of an emergency.

 

Note:  Level I to Level V Engineer is considered a progression and is approved by the appropriate manager.  Engineering positions are managed under the NPPD Nuclear Engineering Career Path document. 

Education, Training and Experience

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Nuclear Engineering (ABET Accredited). 

 

Licenses and/or Certifications

None

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Reactor Engineer:

  • Provide technical assistance and on-call support to the control room regarding reactor operations
  • Prepare and review fuel and control blade shuffles to support refueling outage activities.
  • Control the transfer of Special Nuclear Material (SNM) by maintaining the SNM tracking database, developing SNM transfer forms and performing annual SNM inventory.
  • Prepare and review reactivity plans for power maneuvers.
  • Monitor and trend reactor performance to maintain and improve system availability, reliability, and operational performance.
  • Support LPRM Calibration through operation of the Traversing In-core Probe system.
  • Support new fuel receipt and inspection activities.
  • Prepare and review procedures associated with reactor core operation and nuclear fuel management.
  • Support dry fuel storage campaigns by preparing and reviewing canister loading plans and providing technical assistance on long range fuel storage plans.

 

Fuels Engineer

  • Design BWR fuel bundles and core loading patterns.
  • Perform core design analyses using Studsvik CASMO/SIMULATE methods.
  • Perform core design analyses using GNF methods, including IBUNDL/PANACEA.
  • Assist with the full core reload design process.
  • Manage project activities for preliminary and final bundle and core designs.
  • Oversee vendor licensing analyses and coordinate engineering change approvals.
  • Provide operational support, including rod pattern development and critical position estimates.
  • Maintain and update core monitoring system inputs.
  • Provide technical oversight of vendor engineering products to ensure compliance.
  • Oversee fuel manufacturing activities and conduct quality oversight at vendor facilities.
  • Support long‑range fuel planning across the buy, build, burn, and bury phases.

Accountable for other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Customer Focus
Employees & Teamwork/Diversity & Inclusion
Integrity/Excellence
Public Service/Environmental Stewardship
Safety

Salary Information - Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary range listed below, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range.  Successful applicants will be provided more information regarding the incentive program at the time of an interview.

Salary Information - Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary range listed below, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range.  Successful applicants will be provided more information regarding the incentive program at the time of an interview.

 

Pay Grade and Typical Pay Grade Starting Salary Range: 

Engineer Level I: Exempt Pay Grade 12: $6,837 - $8,636 per month

Engineer Level II: Exempt Pay Grade 13: $7,668 - $9,686 per month

Engineer Level III: Exempt Pay Grade 14: $8,720 - $11,231 per month

Engineer Level IV: Exempt Pay Grade 15: $10,006 - $12,887 per month

Engineer Level V: Exempt Pay Grade 16: $11,480 - $14,785 per month

 

Travel Required: None  Travel required may fluctuate by business need. This is an estimate and will be discussed further with candidates that receive an interview.

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary and an excellent benefits package including medical and dental insurance, 401K retirement plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid medical, training opportunities and more.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact Human Resources at Nebraska Public Power District.

Nebraska Public Power District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who values the contributions of its diverse work force. We are only legally able to hire persons who are 1) a United States citizen or national, 2) a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or 3) an alien legally authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits

Customers around the state know what to expect from NPPD — quality, reliability and performance excellence. Our values also extend to the way we take care of our employees and their families. We remain on the leading edge by providing competitive benefits that respond to the diverse lifestyles of our people in an ever-changing world.

Salary

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary listed in posting, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range.

Retirement Savings

NPPD employees may participate in two retirement plan options – a 401(k) plan and a 457(b) plan. Both plans allow for pre-tax or Roth contributions. After the first six months of employment, the 401(k) plan includes a generous matching contribution from NPPD. The five-year vesting period begins on an employee’s hire date. Our retired employees are eligible for retiree healthcare benefits as well as a life benefit paid out to designated beneficiaries upon their passing.

Health & Wellness

At NPPD, we care about the health and wellness of our employees. We offer new teammates two competitive hospital / medical plan options to fit their lifestyle and family needs. We also make an annual contribution to employee Health Savings Accounts, which can be used to offset out-of-pocket expenses. Employees and their spouse are invited to participate in a variety of wellness initiatives offered throughout the year as a way to enhance their wellness, reduce health risks and promote healthy lifestyles.

Other Benefits

Employees earn vacation on a schedule commensurate with their years of service. We also offer paid holidays as well as personal and family medical leave, including birth mother recovery leave and parental child bonding leave. All full-time employees receive a life insurance policy equivalent to two times the participant's annual salary at no cost to the employee. NPPD also offers dental and vision insurance as well as personal accident, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, pre-paid legal/identity theft, and short-and long-term disability insurance plans. Additional benefits include college tuition reimbursement, relocation assistance and complimentary access to an Employee Assistance Program.

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