Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship Network (NRAN)

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, diversity, 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 Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship Network (NRAN) is an 18-month entry-level developmental program for outstanding individuals in engineering and physical science designed to provide a broad understanding of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) mission by focusing on skill development in various program areas across the agency. We are recruiting for the next cohort, which will commence in July 2026 for our Rockville, Maryland Headquarters location.

The NRC is accepting resumes NOW through December 12, 2025, from Recent Graduates of engineering and physical science to become part of the 2026 Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship Network (NRAN) cohort. Recent Graduate is defined as an individual who obtained a qualifying bachelor's, master's, doctorate degree from a qualifying educational institution within the previous 2 years.

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 typically engage in (3) 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. 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 and 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. The NRAN member will provide a close-out memorandum to the apprenticeship supervisor(s) and NRAN Branch Chief accounting for activities completed or basis for non-completion.

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.