Department of Energy Careers for Veterans: Complete Guide

The Department of Energy maintains America's nuclear arsenal, operates 17 national laboratories, and leads energy innovation. For veterans—especially those with nuclear, technical, or security backgrounds—DOE offers meaningful careers at the intersection of science and national security.

DOE employs approximately 14,000 federal employees plus over 100,000 contractor employees at national laboratories and production facilities. Your military technical training and clearance can open doors to cutting-edge work.

Why DOE for Veterans?

Nuclear Connection

Military nuclear experience is directly relevant:

• Navy nuclear operators/technicians
• Nuclear weapons handling
• Radiation safety
• Technical operations

National Security Mission

DOE maintains the nuclear stockpile:

• National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Weapons laboratories
• Nuclear security enterprise
• Clearance-required work

Technical Excellence

DOE leads in science and technology:

• 17 national laboratories
• Cutting-edge research
• Applied science
• Technology development

Veteran Hiring

DOE values military experience:

• Veterans preference applies
• Clearance compatibility
• Technical training valued
• Security culture familiar

DOE Structure

National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

The nuclear security mission:

Weapons programs:

• Nuclear weapons maintenance
• Stockpile stewardship
• Life extension programs

Nonproliferation:

• Counter-proliferation
• Nuclear security
• International programs

Naval reactors:

• Submarine propulsion
• Aircraft carrier reactors
• Close connection to Navy nuclear

Office of Science

Basic research leadership:

• 10 science user facilities
• Fundamental research
• Climate science
• Computing

Energy Programs

Applied energy work:

• Renewable energy
• Fossil energy
• Nuclear energy
• Efficiency programs

Other Offices

• Environmental management
• Legacy cleanup
• Electricity delivery
• Energy information

National Laboratories

DOE operates 17 national labs (mostly contractor-operated):

Weapons Laboratories

Los Alamos National Laboratory (NM):

• Nuclear weapons design
• National security research
• Largest weapons lab

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (CA):

• Nuclear weapons design
• High-performance computing
• National security

Sandia National Laboratories (NM, CA):

• Weapons engineering
• Systems integration
• National security applications

Multi-Program Labs

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (TN):

• Neutron science
• Computing
• Nuclear

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (WA):

• Energy
• Environment
• National security

Argonne National Laboratory (IL):

• Nuclear energy
• Computing
• Advanced materials

Brookhaven National Laboratory (NY):

• Nuclear and particle physics
• Energy sciences

Key Positions for Veterans

Nuclear Engineer

What they do:

• Reactor design and analysis
• Nuclear safety
• Systems engineering
• Weapons design (at weapons labs)

Requirements:

• Engineering degree
• Nuclear experience
• Q or L clearance
• Technical aptitude

Salary: GS-11 to GS-15 ($82K-$191K+)

Military fit: Navy nuclear, nuclear weapons handlers

Security Specialist

What they do:

• Nuclear facility security
• Personnel security
• Physical security
• Protective force oversight

Requirements:

• Security background
• Clearance eligible
• Management capability
• Physical security knowledge

Salary: GS-9 to GS-14 ($68K-$166K)

Military fit: Security Forces, MP, nuclear security

Physical Scientist

What they do:

• Research and analysis
• Technical assessments
• Laboratory work
• Scientific support

Requirements:

• Science degree
• Research capability
• Analytical skills
• Technical writing

Salary: GS-9 to GS-15 ($68K-$191K+)

Military fit: Technical specialists, science backgrounds

Health Physicist

What they do:

• Radiation protection
• Dosimetry
• Safety analysis
• Regulatory compliance

Requirements:

• Health physics or related degree
• Radiation safety knowledge
• Certification helpful
• Technical competence

Salary: GS-11 to GS-14 ($82K-$166K)

Military fit: Navy nuclear, radiation safety, medical specialties

Program Manager

What they do:

• Manage DOE programs
• Budget and schedule
• Stakeholder coordination
• Technical oversight

Requirements:

• Technical background
• Management experience
• Communication skills
• Leadership ability

Salary: GS-13 to GS-15 ($118K-$191K+)

Military fit: Officers, senior NCOs, program backgrounds

Protective Force

What they do:

• Armed security at nuclear facilities
• Access control
• Response force
• Tactical operations

Requirements:

• Security background
• Physical fitness
• Firearms qualified
• Clearance eligible

Salary: Competitive with federal LE

Military fit: Infantry, MP, Security Forces, any combat arms

DOE Requirements

Basic Requirements

Citizenship:

• U.S. citizenship required (most positions)
• Especially for cleared positions

Clearance:

• Q Clearance (equivalent to TS) for most nuclear work
• L Clearance (equivalent to Secret) for some positions
• Extensive background investigation

Education:

• Varies by position
• Technical positions often require degrees

Security Clearance

Q Clearance:

• Most stringent DOE clearance
• Required for nuclear weapons access
• Extensive investigation
• Similar to TS

L Clearance:

• Lower level
• Similar to Secret
• Broader access than uncleared

Special access:

• Some programs require additional access
• Need to know basis

DOE Hiring Process

Federal Positions

Via USAJOBS:

• Search DOE or NNSA
• Filter by location
• Apply with federal resume

Timeline

• Application review: 2-4 weeks
• Interview: 2-4 weeks
• Clearance: 2-12 months (if needed)
• Offer and start: 2-4 weeks

Clearance timing:

• Existing clearance: Much faster
• New investigation: 6-12+ months
• Q clearance is thorough

Lab Contractor Positions

National labs are operated by contractors:

• Apply through lab websites
• Similar process but faster often
• Federal clearance still required for sensitive work
• Competitive pay

DOE Salary

Federal Positions

Standard GS scale with locality:

Grade	DC Area	Oak Ridge	Los Alamos Area
GS-9	$68,405	$61,987	$60,407
GS-11	$82,764	$75,002	$73,092
GS-12	$99,200	$89,903	$87,612
GS-13	$117,962	$106,906	$104,183
GS-14	$139,395	$126,338	$123,118
GS-15	$164,089	$148,722	$144,933

Lab Contractor Positions

Often competitive or better than federal:

• Market-based pay
• Performance bonuses
• Competitive benefits
• Recruitment incentives

National labs offer some of the best technical compensation in government-adjacent work.

DOE Locations

Headquarters

Washington, DC:

• Policy and program management
• DOE leadership
• Budget and oversight

Germantown, MD:

• NNSA headquarters
• Technical offices

NNSA Production Complex

Kansas City National Security Campus (MO):

• Non-nuclear weapons components
• Manufacturing

Y-12 National Security Complex (TN):

• Uranium operations
• Secondary weapons components

Savannah River Site (SC):

• Tritium production
• Nuclear materials processing

Pantex Plant (TX):

• Weapons assembly/disassembly
• High explosives

Nevada National Security Site:

• Testing (subcritical)
• Experiments

National Laboratories

Locations across the country:

• New Mexico (Los Alamos, Sandia)
• California (Livermore, Berkeley)
• Tennessee (Oak Ridge)
• Illinois (Argonne, Fermi)
• Washington (Pacific Northwest)
• Idaho (Idaho National Lab)
• New York (Brookhaven)

Military Experience Advantages

Navy Nuclear

Navy nuclear training is gold standard:

• Direct nuclear experience
• Reactor operations
• Quality assurance culture
• Technical depth

Navy nuclear → DOE pathway is well-established

Nuclear Weapons

Military nuclear weapons experience applies:

• Weapons handling
• Security protocols
• Technical procedures
• Safety culture

Security Background

Military security transfers:

• Security Forces
• Military Police
• Nuclear security
• Force protection

Technical Training

Broad technical backgrounds valued:

• Electronics
• Mechanical systems
• Quality assurance
• Safety programs

Clearance

Existing clearances valuable:

• TS translates to Q eligibility
• Secret translates to L eligibility
• Saves months in hiring

Application Tips

For Federal Positions

Resume emphasis:

• Nuclear experience (if any)
• Technical training and certifications
• Security clearance status
• Quality/safety background
• Specific accomplishments

Clearance documentation:

• Include clearance status
• Investigation type and date
• Reinvestigation status

For Lab Positions

Apply directly to labs:

• Each lab has career portal
• Application process may be faster
• More technical focus in hiring

Networking:

• Lab career fairs
• Professional associations
• Veterans hiring events

Interview Preparation

Expect:

• Technical competency questions
• Security awareness questions
• Safety and quality questions
• Mission alignment questions

Career Progression

Technical Track

Entry: GS-9/11 Journey: GS-12/13 Senior: GS-14/15 Expert: Senior Technical positions

Management Track

Team lead: GS-13 Branch chief: GS-14 Division director: GS-15 Office director: SES

Lab Careers

Labs offer their own progression:

• Technical staff member
• Senior technical staff
• Principal technical staff
• Fellow/Distinguished positions

The Bottom Line

DOE offers veterans:

• Direct application of nuclear experience (especially Navy)
• National security mission maintaining nuclear deterrent
• Cutting-edge research at national laboratories
• Strong compensation especially at labs
• Clearance compatibility with military service

For veterans with nuclear, technical, or security backgrounds, DOE provides meaningful careers in energy and national security.

Apply at energy.gov/careers or USAJOBS.gov

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Interested in other technical federal careers? Explore NASA or NNSA specifically through DOE.