Career Overview
Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
Also Known As
- Engineer
- Nuclear Engineer
- Nuclear Licensing Engineer
- Nuclear Reactor Engineer
Alternate Job Titles
- Atomic Process Engineer
- Core Measures Abstractor
- Engineer
- Engineering Officer
- Instrumentation and Controls Engineer
- Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer
- Nuclear Design Engineer
- Nuclear Electrician
- Nuclear Engineer
- Nuclear Equipment Design Engineer
- Nuclear Equipment Research Engineer
- Nuclear Equipment Test Engineer
- Nuclear Fuels Reclamation Engineer
- Nuclear Fuels Research Engineer
- Nuclear Licensing Engineer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
- Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
- Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
- Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
- Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
- Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors, power plants, or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
- Direct environmental compliance activities associated with nuclear plant operations or maintenance.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Recommend preventive measures to be taken in handling nuclear technology based on data obtained from operations monitoring, systematic analysis, or evaluation of test results.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Chemistry
- Computers and Electronics
- Design
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Learning
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Category Flexibility
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- C++
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle Java
- Python
- Salesforce software
Tools & Equipment
- Anticontamination clothing
- Desktop computers
- Face masks
- Nuclear wireline logging instruments
- Personal computers
- Reactivity computer systems
- Respirators
Work Environment
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $88,290 |
| Median | $127,520 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $187,430 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 14,740
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $122,610
Nuclear Technicians
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $104,240
Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $104,240
Chemical Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $121,860
Geothermal Production Managers
Education: Some College Courses
Median Salary: $121,440
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.