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Navy NEC · Engineering

N15O Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator: Mechanical

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

A Navy Enlisted Classification: a skill designation sailors hold in addition to their rating.

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Overview

A Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator specializing in mechanical systems operates mechanical systems aboard submarines. The operator performs organizational level maintenance on these systems.

Core Skills

  • Organizational-level maintenance of nuclear plant mechanical systems

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Nuclear Technicians

Operating and maintaining submarine nuclear-plant mechanical systems transfers directly to the equipment-operation and maintenance-support aspects of nuclear technician work.

How to prepare: Target plant-equipment technician openings and prepare a work-history summary showing the mechanical systems you operated and the maintenance you performed.

What the civilian work involves
  • Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
  • Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
  • Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Submarine nuclear-plant mechanical operation and maintenance provide relevant plant-equipment experience for a transition into civilian reactor operations.

How to prepare: Contact a nuclear utility about its operator training route and assessment of your Navy experience. NRC licensure requires meeting the facility's education, training, and experience criteria, with facility certification of training and experience; the license is valid only for that facility.

What the civilian work involves
  • Operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety.
  • Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.
  • Monitor all systems for normal running conditions, performing activities such as checking gauges to assess output or the effects of generator loading on other equipment.

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (4 documents)
  1. NAVPERS 18068F Vol II (NEOCS, Jul 2026 edition): NEC N15O

    [1] NEC entry "N15O - Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator - Mechanical"; cached text line 8611; NAVPERS 18068F Vol II, 2026-07 edition

    Supports: Organizational-level maintenance of nuclear plant mechanical systems, Nuclear Technicians (O*NET 19-4051.00), Nuclear Power Reactor Operators (O*NET 51-8011.00)

  2. O*NET: Nuclear Technicians

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Nuclear Technicians (O*NET 19-4051.00)

  3. O*NET: Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

    [3] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Nuclear Power Reactor Operators (O*NET 51-8011.00)

  4. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Licensing Process for Operators

    [4] Process for New Operator Licenses; page last reviewed/updated September 15, 2026

    Supports: Nuclear Power Reactor Operators (O*NET 51-8011.00)

Defense contractor jobs for N15O

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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