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Nuclear Engineers
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.
Other titles employers use
Engineer · Nuclear Design Engineer · Nuclear Engineer · Nuclear Licensing Engineer · Nuclear Process Engineer · Nuclear Reactor Engineer · Nuclear Safety Engineer · Nuclear Steam Supply System Engineer (NSSS Engineer)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Mathematics
Subjects to know
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.8 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.0 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.1 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 81%
- A master's degree 19%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Operating system software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,740
- Job openings each year
- 100
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 2.4%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 1,740 | 100 | 2.4% |
| Washington | 1,710 | 130 | 10.3% |
| New Mexico | 1,400 | 90 | 13.8% |
| South Carolina | 900 | 50 | 4.7% |
| Idaho | 750 | 50 | 17.2% |
| North Carolina | 710 | 40 | 9.2% |
| Connecticut | 580 | 40 | 26.1% |
| New Jersey | 560 | 40 | 7.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 490 | 30 | — |
| Illinois | 450 | 30 | — |
| Texas | 390 | 30 | 11.4% |
| Michigan | 360 | 20 | — |
| Maryland | 350 | 20 | 2.9% |
| District of Columbia | 340 | 20 | −2.9% |
| New York | 340 | 0 | — |
| Tennessee | 340 | 20 | 13.3% |
| Ohio | 240 | 10 | — |
| Georgia | 230 | 10 | 4.5% |
| Alabama | 220 | 10 | — |
| Missouri | 200 | 10 | 5.3% |
| Florida | 190 | 10 | — |
| Arizona | 160 | 10 | — |
| Nevada | 160 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Utah | 120 | 10 | 33.3% |
| Nebraska | 100 | 10 | — |
| Oregon | 100 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Wisconsin | 70 | 0 | −12.5% |
| Indiana | 60 | 0 | — |
| Kentucky | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 62
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college TNThe University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- Degrees each year
- 46
- Admit rate
- 46%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college PAPennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 33
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college ILUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Degrees each year
- 28
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college NCNorth Carolina State University at Raleigh
- Degrees each year
- 27
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college MOMissouri University of Science and Technology
- Degrees each year
- 25
- Admit rate
- 73%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college INPurdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 25
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college OROregon State University
- Degrees each year
- 24
- Admit rate
- 79%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college