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.

Also called: 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), Radiological Engineer, Reactor Engineer, Atomic Process Engineer, Core Measures Abstractor, Engineering Officer, Instrumentation and Controls Engineer, Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer, Nuclear Electrician, Nuclear Equipment Design Engineer, Nuclear Equipment Research Engineer, Nuclear Equipment Test Engineer, Nuclear Fuels Reclamation Engineer, Nuclear Fuels Research Engineer, Nuclear Mechanic, Nuclear Officer, Nuclear Plant Technical Advisor, Nuclear Power Plant Engineer, Nuclear Project Manager (Nuclear PM), Nuclear Radiation Engineer, Nuclear Test Reactor Program Coordinator, Nuclear Waste Management Engineer, Radiation Engineer, Radiation Officer, Radiation Protection Engineer, Radioactive Materials Waste Management Engineer, Radiological Defense Officer, Reactor Projects Engineer, Regulatory Compliance Coordinator, Regulatory Coordinator, Safety Engineer, Steam Technical Advisor, Structural Engineer, Survivability Engineer, System Engineer, System Safety Engineer, Weapons Designer, Weapons Engineer

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.
Prepare technical reports of findings or recommendations, based on synthesized analyses of test results.
Prepare environmental impact statements, reports, or presentations for regulatory or other agencies.

Skills, machines and equipment

Science
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Mathematics
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Learning
Speaking
Operations Analysis

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (80.95% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

108,690–163,630 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 17-2161.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build design, analysis, validation, and project experience; explore senior technical specialist, project lead, or engineering-management paths with the required qualifications.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (80.95% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Nuclear Engineers