Research Reactor Engineer

The Research Reactor Engineer provides safe, reliable, and regulatory compliant engineering support for the operation and maintenance of a nuclear research reactor and associated experimental facilities. The position applies technical expertise in reactor systems analysis and operations, supports licensing and maintenance activities, and contributes to operator training and user collaboration, while upholding rigorous safety and quality standards.

The mechanical and nuclear engineering (MNE) department at Kansas State University has 24 faculty members, annual research expenditures of approximately $6M, and an enrollment of approximately 850 undergraduate and graduate students. More information on the MNE department may be found at http://www.mne.ksu.edu. The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering is located on the main Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, Kansas, a vibrant, family-friendly city located in the scenic Flint Hills. Manhattan is the cultural and business hub of a tri-county area community of over 200,000 residents see (www.manhattan.org).

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience. Education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager.
  The degree requirement ensures candidates possess the advanced technical knowledge, design principles and analytical skills essential for developing, testing and implementing engineering solutions. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and experiential learning inherent in a formal degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Nuclear Engineering
• Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering or a closely related discipline
• Experience with research or test reactors (TRIGA, pool-type, or similar)
• Experience preparing or supporting NRC licensing or inspection activities
• Fundamental knowledge of reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, and radiation protection
• Proficiency with reactor analysis tools (e.g., RELAP5-3D, TRACE, MCNP, SCALE, PHITS, OpenMC, or equivalent)
• Familiarity with NRC regulations applicable to non-power and research reactors
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a regulated, safety-critical environment
• Ability to pass USNRC background check and obtain unescorted access
• Must be able to meet requirements for selection and training of personnel for research reactors (ANSI/ANS 15.4) and obtain Senior Reactor Operator License within 12 months

Additional Role Information:

Work may be performed in office, laboratory, and reactor facility environments.Occasional duties outside the usual M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. hours, may be required to support reactor operations.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Please submit the following documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for 3 references

Applications close on: July 17, 2026

$75,000-$87,000