This position is within Bonneville Power Administration's Power Services, under Generation and Asset Management, Generating Assets, and Contracting Generating Resources. As a GS-13 Nuclear Engineer, you will drive contract oversight for a vital nuclear plant. Coordinate energy output with the federal grid, ensure regulatory compliance, review operations budgets, and liaise with senior executives. Apply your technical expertise to help power the Pacific Northwest!
Power the Pacific Northwest: Shape the Future of Clean Energy as a Lead Nuclear Engineer with BPA At the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), our mission is to deliver clean, reliable, and sustainable carbon-free power to the Pacific Northwest while promoting environmental stewardship.
This critical position is located within Contracting Generating Resources (PGAC), in the Generating Assets (PGA) organization of Generation and Asset Management (PG), within Power Services (P) of BPA. As a GS-13 Nuclear Engineer, you will serve as a vital link between our regional energy grid and the Columbia Generating Station.
You will play a defining role in overseeing the region's only commercial nuclear energy facility, driving operational excellence, and ensuring safe, cost-effective power generation for millions of households and businesses. If you are an experienced engineering professional looking to leverage your technical expertise for high-impact public service, this role offers an unparalleled opportunity to lead and innovate.
Here are the top eight duties where you will make a lasting impact: Lead High-Impact Technical and Policy Initiatives: Take the reins on major technical, policy, and economic initiatives. You will guide multi-disciplinary teams, coordinate complex projects, and provide strategic solutions that shape the future of BPA's nuclear oversight.
Provide Expert Oversight of Nuclear Operations: Monitor and evaluate all phases of nuclear plant operations and maintenance-including fuel management, engineering, nuclear safety, and chemistry-ensuring the operator meets world-class operational standards. Optimize Clean Energy Delivery to the Grid: Bridge the gap between nuclear power generation and regional grid needs.
You will coordinate scheduled power output to ensure a reliable, seamless supply of carbon-free electricity to the regional power system. Collaborate with Senior Leadership and Key Stakeholders: Serve as a primary technical advisor and liaison. You will interface daily with plant operators, executive boards, and federal, state, and local regulatory officials to align strategic goals and policies.
Ensure Rigorous Regulatory Compliance: Evaluate, monitor, and guide compliance with strict state and federal safety and environmental regulations, safeguarding both the facility's operational integrity and the surrounding communities. Champion Financial Efficiency and Stewardship: Analyze multi-million dollar construction, maintenance, and decommissioning budgets.
You will monitor expenditures to ensure cost-efficiency and identify innovative opportunities for project cost savings. Drive Performance Benchmarking: Develop and analyze performance databases to compare nuclear facility operations and financial health against national industry standards, leveraging data to drive continuous improvement.
Step into Key Leadership Roles: Build your leadership portfolio by acting on behalf of the Contract Generating Resources Manager during their absence, offering high-level administrative, policy, and technical guidance to the entire department.
This vacancy has a positive education requirement. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".
glvaughan@bpa.gov · 360-947-5342
This position is with Bonneville Power Administration, Department of Energy.
The posted pay range is $106437 – $138370/yr.
Applications close on 2026-09-19.
This position is open under the 'Mspouse' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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