The National Nuclear Security Administration reduced its federal workforce by 236 employees, or 11.9 percent, through the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. The reductions impacted mission-critical occupations including nuclear engineers and contract specialists.

The agency reduced the size of its federal workforce in response to presidential directives in early 2025. Hiring was limited during the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 through the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. The agency's federal workforce peaked at 1,991 employees early in fiscal year 2025.

The National Nuclear Security Administration is a separately organized agency within the Department of Energy. It oversees a $25 billion annual budget and approximately 70,000 management and operating contractor personnel. The agency also oversees a $200 billion, two-decade effort to modernize nuclear weapons and related infrastructure.